Do we continue to exist after death? And if so, where do we go?
In a modern society shaped by science and reason, folklore is often regarded as a relic of the past—outdated, obsolete. Yet City Gods, Kṣitigarbha, the Seven Lords, Youying Gong, vengeful spirits, demon children… whether deities or ghosts, these long-standing folk beliefs, rituals, and tales intertwine with the memory of the land and traces of history. They also carry layers of different religious faiths and the accumulated values of generations—some silently embedding social norms and fears; others brimming with enduring faith and remembrance.
How do people enter and construct the world of the dead? And how do they honor those who reside there? Through this issue of Xunfeng, we invite you to explore the realm of the departed through a modern lens, and to rediscover the collective cultural memory enshrined in the underworld.