Chinese sorcery scares

Chinese sorcery scares refer to a series of moral panics or mass hysteria events in Imperial China, occurring in 1768, 1810, 1876, and 1908. These scares were characterized by widespread fears of sorcery practices, particularly "soul-stealing," a form of alleged magic believed to cause illness or death. Accusations were often targeted at marginalized groups, including transient monks, beggars, and stonemasons, and resulted in interrogations, torture, and executions.

The 1768 scare, under the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, centered on rumors of sorcery involving the cutting of men's queues (a legally mandated braided hairstyle imposed by the Qing dynasty) to steal their souls. Another alleged practice involved attaching papers inscribed with names to concealed locations within the foundations or supports of construction projects, which was believed to enhance the sorcerer's or construction's strength at the cost of the persons named. These acts were perceived as threats to both individuals and imperial authority. The event led to violent mob actions, government investigations, and the scapegoating of religious figures, often Buddhist monks, suspected of supernatural abilities. Despite prolonged investigations, no evidence of an organized sorcery network or "master sorcerers" were ever substantiated, highlighting the role of torture and coerced confessions in perpetuating the panic.

Later scares, such as the 1876 incident in Nanjing, reflected similar themes of sorcery tied to construction, but incorporated evolving rumors, including claims of magically animated "paper men" cutting their hair braids. These fears spread across the Yangtze River Delta, sparking protective rituals and the sale of amulets.

The events of these scares are often compared to other instances of mass hysteria globally, including witch trials in early modern Europe and Ee ja nai ka celebrations in Bakumatsu-era Japan.