“Luotouchong” The Krasue in Chinese Ancient Texts: Evolution from Jin to Qing Dynasties “ลั่วโถวฉง” ผีกระสือในเอกสารโบราณของจีน: วิวัฒนาการจากราชวงศ์จิ้นถึงชิง

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the evolution of beliefs about the Krasue (a female ghost with detachable head) in ancient Chinese documents from the Jin Dynasty (266-420 CE) to the Qing Dynasty (1616-1912 CE) through primary source analysis. The findings reveal significant evolutionary changes in    the conceptualization of the Krasue. During the Jin Dynasty, the “Bowuzhi” document referred to similar creatures as “Luotouchong” (落头虫), describing them as special beings whose heads could fly using ears as wings, not yet considered dangerous to humans. In the Tang Dynasty, records introduced a new term “Feitouliaozi” (飞头獠子) with additional physical details like red neck marks and nocturnal feeding behaviors. The Ming Dynasty saw a complete transformation, where the Krasue was viewed as a dangerous demon called “Shitouman” (尸头蛮) with terrifying behaviors such as consuming filth and harming humans. By the Qing Dynasty, this belief had merged with local cultures, particularly among the Yao ethnic group, appearing as “Feitouyao” (飞头熎) with distinctly different characteristics from earlier periods. This study demonstrates how beliefs about the Krasue clearly evolved according to China's socio-cultural contexts across different historical periods, developing from special creatures to dangerous demons, and finally becoming part of local folklore.