In China ghost stories, there is often a connection between the living and the dead. The living can sometimes sense the presence of ghosts or be haunted by them. Family ties also play a role. For example, a ghost may return to protect its family members or to seek justice for family wrongs. Moreover, supernatural powers are common. Ghosts may have the ability to move through walls, disappear and reappear suddenly, or cause strange phenomena like objects moving on their own. This adds to the sense of mystery and horror in the stories.
Common elements include the presence of yin - yang imbalance. Ghosts are associated with yin energy, and when there is too much yin, they can appear. For instance, in some stories, a place with a lot of deaths, like a battlefield, may have an excess of yin energy and thus be haunted. Another is the use of traditional Chinese cultural items. Things like joss paper (used in ancestor worship), red strings (which have protective properties in some beliefs), and incense often play roles in the stories. If the joss paper is not burned properly for the dead, it might anger the ghosts. And the color white is often associated with ghosts, as it represents death and the afterlife in Chinese culture.
One common element is the idea of revenge. Ghosts in Chinese stories are often those who have been wronged in life, like being murdered or mistreated, and they come back as ghosts to seek revenge on the people who wronged them. For example, in many stories, a murdered woman will haunt the killer. Another element is the setting. Old, desolate places such as abandoned houses, cemeteries, and deep forests are often the scenes of these ghost stories. It gives a sense of mystery and fear. Also, there is often a moral lesson. The stories may warn people not to be greedy, cruel or break moral rules, because there could be supernatural consequences.
Well, in a 'china back to back ghost story', a common element is the element of revenge. Often, the ghosts are there to avenge something that happened to them in life. For example, if they were wronged or killed unjustly. Also, the idea of duality is important. The two ghosts being back to back might represent two sides of a story or two fates intertwined. And the cultural background of China plays a role too. There could be elements from traditional Chinese beliefs about the afterlife and spirits. For instance, the ghosts might be bound to a certain place according to Chinese superstition.
One common theme is karma. Ghosts often return to seek revenge or justice for wrongs done to them in life. For example, if someone was wrongly killed, their ghost would come back to punish the perpetrator. Another theme is love that transcends the boundaries between the living and the dead, like in the story of Nie Xiaoqian.
One common element is the presence of cold spots. In many true ghost stories, people enter a place and suddenly feel an unexplained coldness. Another is strange noises, like footsteps or whispers when there's no one else around.
One common element is the presence of historical trauma. For example, many stories are set in areas that were affected by the war. The spirits are often those of soldiers or civilians who died tragically. Another element is the influence of local superstitions and beliefs. For instance, the idea of spirits being associated with certain natural elements like water or trees. And often, there is a moral lesson in these stories, like respecting the dead or not trespassing on haunted places.
A sense of the unknown past is also common. For example, in many stories, the ghost is a victim of some long - ago tragedy, like a murder or a tragic accident. And often there are unexplained sounds or movements. Things like creaking floors, doors opening by themselves, or cold drafts in a sealed room. This all adds to the mystery and the feeling of the supernatural.
Well, in many sp ghost stories, there are often unresolved mysteries from the past. For example, a murder or a tragic accident that happened in a particular location. And then there are the apparitions, which are often described as shadowy or semi - transparent figures. Sometimes, there are also strange smells associated with the presence of the ghost, like a musty odor or the smell of flowers that might be related to the story of the ghost, say if it was a gardener in its past life.
One common element is the distorted reflection. For example, the reflection might have red eyes or a strange expression that the real person doesn't have. Another is the sense of being watched through the mirror. It's like there's a presence that is observing the person from the other side of the glass. Also, often there's a connection to a past event or a previous owner in the place where the mirror is located. Maybe someone died there and their spirit is trapped in the mirror.
One common element is the feeling of coldness. Many people who claim to have seen ghosts say they suddenly felt very cold. Another is the appearance of a misty or semi - transparent figure. For example, in some stories, the ghost is described as a white, hazy shape moving through walls.
One common element is strange noises. Like the sound of footsteps when no one is around or doors slamming by themselves.
One common element is the haunted house. It's often old, dilapidated, and has a spooky atmosphere. Another is the apparition, like a white - sheeted figure or a shadowy form. Also, there are usually strange noises, such as creaking floors or moaning winds.