In Chinese culture, they are called 婴灵 (Yīng Líng). They are believed to be the souls of babies who were aborted, miscarried, stillborn, or who died shortly after birth. Often, they are not properly buried—especially in cases of abortion in hospitals, where remains may be disposed of as medical waste. In many cases, they are also not given a name or a memorial tablet.

According to Chinese beliefs, these souls are helpless and may linger in the human world, unable to be reborn. This is thought to be especially true for those who were aborted, as their circumstances may give rise to resentment or unrest. Some believe that such spirits may haunt their loved ones—particularly their biological mother—bringing misfortune or harm to the family.