Mythology has been a key component of understanding history and culture through story and narrative, but to see myth take shape through a historical lens is uncommon; meaning, the origins of myths are, more often than not, lost to time. This is the case, at least, with European and other typical Western myths. Looking to the East, however, it is possible to see myths emerge from recorded historical events, shaped by cultural norms and societal customs, and embed themselves into the shared and common narratives and national identities.

For example, the romanization of the Yellow Turban Rebellion (should probably be the Yellow Scarf Rebellion, but what can you do), becomes a nationalistic source of pride, and more and more stories develop about how heroes and villains made their names in the rebellion (think The Iliad but with more historical evidence). The Romance of the Three Kingdoms exemplifies the epitome of these stories, examining characters such as Zhang Bao, Zhang Liang, Bo Cai, Sun Xia, and many, many others. Many are true historical figures, though their exploits are likely fictional.

However, after the Rebellion, many of the minor rebels and foot soldiers were left to their own devices. They were rarely, if ever, noted in myths that captured their participation or essence in the great epics. Many returned to their farm life, and many were referred to by the color of their turban/scarves. Thus, there is an explosion of the surname Huong, Jhong, or Wong, the Chinese and Cantonese word for yellow. Over time, the names changed by dialect or spelling to Wang or Hong, but they still find their roots in the reference to the Yellow Rebellion.

While not epic, there are some myths that have been uncovered that don’t necessarily hit the national stage and revolve more around these minor players and characters. In areas such as Macau, there are myths that are just as interesting as the epics, but focus more on local lore rather than the myths that cover all of China. One such story talks about how seven Huong brothers, Tang, Sun, Lu, Peng, Guo, Qin, and Fan, scattered by the rebellion, meet once more in their old age to treat their sister who has gone mad and is possessed by an angry and vengeful demon.

As they approach their sister, Meng Xin, she berates each one of them for their sins against their family and the land of their birth. And, one by one, their demon-infested sister attacked and killed the brothers as they begged for forgiveness. Qin and Fang watched as their five brothers were slaughtered and knew that their only option was to kill their sister to destroy the demon inside of her. A great battle ensued. Though bloody and beaten, the brothers were victorious. Yet, the demon was not defeated. The corpse of their dead sister rose from the blood-soaked ground. And though did not attack the brothers again, it cursed their families for their sins. Thus, it is only in such rare instances where two Huongs make a wight.