- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 18 Jan 2026 06:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Traditional Chinese folk beliefs continue to influence how some families respond to unexplained illness or sudden behavioural changes, with a centuries-old superstition known as Cai Zhuang Ke still practised in parts of the country. Often translated as “spirit possession,” the ritual centres on so-called “egg-standing exorcists” who attempt to diagnose whether a wandering spirit or disturbed soul is responsible for a person’s condition.
Cai Zhuang Ke is traditionally used to explain sudden lethargy, persistent illness, or emotional distress that does not appear to respond to conventional treatment. At the heart of the practice is a symbolic test: balancing a raw egg or copper coin on a mirror while chanting the name of a deceased person. If the object manages to stand upright, it is believed to confirm the presence of a spirit.
Once the sign is interpreted, the object is deliberately knocked over and thrown into a container of water, a step thought to help expel the spirit and restore balance.
Rituals Often Performed On Children
The superstition is most commonly applied to young children. Families may turn to the ritual when a child sleeps excessively, wakes up screaming at night, cries uncontrollably, or suffers from recurring fevers that fail to improve with medication. Other symptoms linked to “spirit disturbance” include shivering, muscle twitching, shortness of breath, and persistent hiccups.
How Egg-Standing Ceremony Works
In some variations, the ritual involves balancing a fresh, unrefrigerated raw egg on a kitchen knife or directly on the practitioner’s palm. The egg must be uncooked to preserve what believers describe as its natural adhesiveness.
The practitioner circles the egg clockwise above the person’s head three times before placing it upright in their left hand. With their right hand, they form a sword-finger gesture, close their eyes, and silently chant while tracing slow circles above the egg. If the egg suddenly stands upright without support, the ritual is considered successful.
The practitioner may then place the egg on the flat side of a knife and ask whether the person experienced a fright. If it remains balanced, it is interpreted as evidence of a “soul fright” rather than full possession.
Why Egg Is Eaten Afterwards
After the ritual, the egg must be boiled, peeled, and eaten by the patient. According to folk belief, the egg absorbs scattered soul energy during the ceremony. Consuming it is said to help restore inner balance, leaving the person calmer and more grounded, though modern medicine does not support these claims.
ALSO READ: Trump Announces 10% Tariffs On Denmark, UK And France After Opposition To US Greenland Takeover Plan