Mogwai (Chinese mythology)

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A Mogwai or (more rarely) Mogui (from Cantonese 魔怪 Móguǐ ; meaning “devil” or “devilish”) is a being from Chinese mythology .

According to traditional Chinese tradition, mogwais are demons who are hostile to humans . The folklore tells that the creatures were playing people like bad tricks or would cause widespread devastation in houses. They also tracked their own mating seasons, which coincide with the rainy season as the season progresses. Today, Mogwai usually describes an evil spirit or creature similar to a gremlin . In Daoist exorcism rituals , swords made from peach tree wood are used to ward off Mogwais. Likewise, in many places (false) banknotes are burned to ward off demons and thus offered as sacrifices to avert further disaster.

In Western culture, the 1984 film Gremlins showed a Mogwai named "Gizmo". Gizmo appears here as a small, fluffy creature who is initially curious and friendly. However, if handled incorrectly or improperly (but especially if it comes into contact with water), the Mogwai turns into an ugly, goblin-like devil with reptile-like skin, who reproduces at breakneck speed and devastates an entire small town.

literature

  • Howard Chiang: The Making of the Human Sciences in China: Historical and Conceptual Foundations . BRILL, Leiden 2019, ISBN 9789004397620 , p. 215.
  • Zhang Yingli, Fangfang Wang: My Impression of China: China's Image in the Eyes of Foreign Officers, Volume 2 . China Intercontinental Press, Beijing 2011, ISBN 9787508519746 , pp. 242 & 243.
  • Christopher R. Fee, Jeffrey B. Webb: American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore, Volume 1 . ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara (California) 2016, ISBN 9781610695688 , pp. 437 & 438.