Chinese gates of hell are opening soon, so here’s 6 ghosts to be aware of this month

Chinese gates of hell are opening soon, so here’s 6 ghosts to be aware of this month

Noel Wong
August 15, 2025




It may not be October yet, but there’s something strange in the neighbourhood going on regardless. As it turns out, 23 Aug marks the start of Hungry Ghost Month! For Chinese people, this is the time when ghosts, spirits and other spooks make their presence known.

That said, are you aware that, like Skittles, ghosts in Chinese culture tend to be colour-coded? These colours are believed to give a little context as to why the restless spirit roams the earth. So, here are just some colourful ghosts to keep a lookout for, before you turn white with terror:

The sad ghosts

Image Credit: CanvaGrey

With a Chinese name that directly translates to “grey heart”, you can guess this type of ghost is not the happiest sort. Commonly found lurking around roadsides, homes, parks and hospitals, these spirits are believed to belong to recently deceased individuals.

They linger on the mortal plane, awaiting reincarnation or judgement in the afterlife. In some cases, they simply miss their mortal lives but are generally harmless otherwise. Normally, a sprinkle of floral water is enough to convince them to leave you well alone.White

Unsurprisingly, this type of ghost is the most commonly encountered. Their haunting grounds include restrooms, schools, hospitals, cemeteries and offices. Typically, they are believed to be long-deceased spirits who may have unfinished business in the mortal realm.

When encountering such a ghost, it is important to avoid eye contact. It is tradition to chant “no see, no see, no see” in such a situation. If the ghost is aware you can see them, they might pester you into helping them out of sheer desperation.

The unpleasant ghosts

Image Credit: CanvaYellow

In Western cultures, yellow is typically associated with cheerful people. In Chinese belief, it is a little more complicated, as yellow ghosts are anything but cheerful. These are often found in hotels and casinos.

In life, these spirits had strong obsessions, often associated with gambling and philandery. These bad habits remain even after death. If you have been suffering financially or have been encountering unsavoury men, you may be the unsuspecting target of a yellow ghost.Black

While tall, dark and handsome men are worth pursuing, black ghosts, on the other hand, are worth running away from. These dark figures are most commonly seen lurking in alleys, cemeteries and funeral homes.

Spirits who suffered injustice in life, they can also be the result of suicide or a false accusation. Sighting a black ghost is believed to be an ill omen. When walking down a road at night, it is best to keep looking forward and not look back.

The dangerous ones

Image Credit: Canva (Left), Toei (Right)Red

While most of the aforementioned ghosts are melancholic and harmless at worst, the red ghost is an actively malevolent being. They can often be found haunting flat complexes, beaches, hotels, and mass graves.

Believed to be the spirits of people who committed suicide or were falsely accused of murder, they are often described as being clothed in red. These ghosts are deeply vengeful and stubborn when it comes to exorcism. Stay away at all costs.

Cyan

Seeing a cyan ghost might be a rarity, but it is hardly good news. These spirits often haunt prisons, hospitals, mass graves and cemeteries. They are also the harbinger of ill omen, so spotting one should put you on high alert.

Traditionally, after spotting one, one is encouraged to go to a temple and repent for one’s transgressions. Failing to do this will result in some calamity befalling you sometime after. Hope you have good karma!



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Feature Image Credit: Makansutra (Left), Canva (Right)