Chinese Vampires...EXPLAINED

Ever watched An American vampire movie? most of them are named Dracula or Dracula returns (...again) or the Wesley Snipe 'Blade' movies . Then watched Mr. Vampire and shocked by the great difference between the two? Well I'm going to attempt to explain a thing or two for you. 

One of the most obvious features of the Chinese Vampire (also know as: Chiang-Shih) is the way form of movement…hopping

There is many stories why Vampires hop, some people say it is they way they are buried, vertically. But the most reasonable and believable way is rigor mortis. Once the bodies is buried and left, rigor mortis kicks in on its arms and legs, stopping making it impossible to walk, so hopping would be the next best thing!

Chinese vampires have also have been deprived of their vision, So instead they rely on their sense of smell and follow their victims breath.

Uniforms. When you see a Chinese vampire you’ll notice, “why’s he wear those clothes?” Well these are the form clothing of the last Chinese dynasty (Qing dynasty, Ching dynasty & Ming dynasty). The deceased are dressed in garments of the past dynasty as a show of respect to the already deceased.

How Do you Stop these hoping beasts!? Well Here’s a couple things. Incantations (as seen above, to the right) a mixture of thin yellow paper and red paint (usually made by Chickens Blood and a single piece of Sticky Rice, mixed together whilst a flame). Once the incantation is placed over the forehead of a vampire, it will sooth the soul and drift them into a peaceful sleep.

Baqua Mirror, an eight piece mirror used as a blinding beam of light to keep the Vampires at bay. As you can see it being used above by Ricky Hoi (Mr. Vampire). Sticky Rice is also a good weapon (strangest yet) The stickiness of the rice is lethal, once stood on or flung at, the rice withdraws the evil sprits from the corpse. 

Blood is a strong weapon too, yes they enjoy, but as this animation shows it is also used to freeze the hopping hell binders! So if your getting chased, just chew on your fingers and slap on the head! ha ha ha

Another helpful weapon is the Coin Sword Amulet! Yes made from many lucky Chinese coins, it is powered by the moonlight of a full moon. Once energized by the power of the moonlight is it used to discover the true behind Succubus’s.

How? How where these things made? Well its different from the western style, a wee chew on the ankle and your gone. No, not the Chinese vampire. Chinese vampires are brought back from death, because of a tragic death. If the person was murdered, knocked over could bring the person back from the dead. Even burials are important, if buried with the coffin being left vertical will disturb the soul and when disturbed the Chinese Vampire is wake (Moo Ha Ha Ha Ha, sorry :D) 

Although this the Chinese Vampire isnt the only threat there, yes as you can there is a list of classic Hong Kong Movies which show you some excellent examples of Hong Kong Myths!

Some Classic Chinese Horror Movies

Director: Ricky Lau Year: 1985	Director: Ricky Lau Year: 1986	Director: Ricky Lau Year: 1987
Director: Tsui Hark Year: 1987	Director: Tsui Hark Year: 1990	Director: Tsui Hark Year: 1991
Director: Sammo Hung Year: 1981	Director: Ricky Lau Year: 1990