Day 7 The Return of the Dead Night

Do you believe that the soul of a deceased person returns to visit their family home on the seventh day after death? Some Chinese believe in what is known as 回魂夜 (Huí Hún Yè) — the “Return of the Soul Night” — or 头七 (Tóu Qī).

On this day, family members prepare a table filled with the deceased’s favourite foods. They also place two bowls of rice for Dua Yah Peh (大爷伯 or 白无常 — General Xie), the “Big Brother in White Robe,” and Di Yah Peh (二爷伯 or 黑无常 — General Fan), the “Second Brother in Black Robe,” to partake in. These two deities are also known as Da Er Ye Bo (大二爷伯) among Southern Chinese communities such as the Hokkien and Teochew, and as Hei Bai Wu Chang (黑白无常) in Mandarin. (For more on them, you may listen to Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories podcast, 26 April 2019, from the 21-minute mark.)

Did you know that the main role of Da Er Ye Bo is to capture and escort souls to the underworld for judgement and sentencing? You may wonder why one is dressed in white while the other is dressed in black.

Before becoming spirit enforcers, they were said to be generals serving a magistrate in Fuzhou, working as low-ranking officials. Da Ye Bo was named Qi Ye, and Er Ye Bo was named Ba Ye.

According to the legend “Do Not Break One’s Promises,” both men were virtuous, upright, kind, and highly respected. One day, while on duty, the weather suddenly turned bad. Dua Yah Peh (General Xie) decided to return home to fetch umbrellas, asking Di Yah Peh (General Fan) to wait under Nan Tai Bridge (南台桥). On his way back, Dua Yah Peh suffered severe stomach pain and had to rest before returning.

Meanwhile, heavy rain caused the river to flood. Trusting that his sworn brother would keep his promise, Di Yah Peh held onto a bridge pillar while waiting. Tragically, he drowned. His face turned black from the struggle, and he became known as Hei Wu Chang (黑无常), carrying a tablet inscribed with “Arrest the Evil” (见恶便拿).

When Dua Yah Peh learned of his friend’s death, he was overcome with guilt and attempted to take his own life. He jumped into the river but did not drown due to his height. He then hanged himself from a tree. As a result, his tongue protruded — a feature often depicted in his statues. He became known as Bai Wu Chang (白无常), carrying a tablet with the words “See and Smile” (见笑), and wearing a hat inscribed with 一见大吉 (Yī Jiàn Dà Jí), meaning “Good fortune upon meeting.”

On the sixth night, family members are advised to retreat to their bedrooms before 8 p.m., or before nightfall. If they return home late — especially after 11 p.m. (the start of Zi Shi, which lasts until 1 a.m. and marks the beginning of a new day) — it is believed to be inauspicious. It is also important not to place religious ornaments or talismans on the main door, as this may prevent the spirit from entering.

If you hear noises during the night, do not leave your room to investigate, as this may disturb the visiting soul. Remain inside until dawn. Some people sprinkle flour or talcum powder near the entrance to detect footprints. Before leaving your room in the morning, it is customary to throw a pair of scissors outside as a signal that you are coming out. (Referenced from Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories podcast, 23 October 2020.)

If you ask whether I have experienced anything like this, I’m not entirely sure — you can decide for yourself.

When my grandfather passed away in 1989, several of us stayed in his house. On the seventh day, my aunt, cousin, and I woke at around 5 am to prepare offerings. To our surprise, the main gate was wide open. My aunt had locked it the night before. So who opened it? Perhaps my grandfather had visited — or perhaps someone simply forgot to close it. Who knows?

Another experience occurred when my father passed away suddenly in 2007. At the time, I was 35 weeks pregnant and unable to return to Singapore for his funeral. On the seventh night, at around 8 p.m., the window in my spare room suddenly opened on its own. A Buddha picture near the windowsill was blown off by a strong gust of wind. It was the only room with a religious item. The window required a handle to be twisted to open, making this difficult to explain — especially since it was winter and we lived on the 13th floor.

I heard the wind and rushed to the room. For a brief moment, I thought I saw a faint green glow near the window before it disappeared. I still cannot explain what happened. Perhaps it was just my imagination.

So, what do you think? Do you believe the dead return to visit their loved ones? Let me know in the comments below.

If you’d like to hear a “true” ghost story about 回魂夜 (Huí Hún Yè) / 头七 (Tóu Qī), this was featured on Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories podcast on 23 October 2020. Do check it out if you understand Mandarin.

Curious about what to prepare for the Return of the Soul Night (Day 7)? Read more here.