Shanxiao

Mountain Goblin

One-legged goblin of the deep mountains whose laughter beguiles travelers.

Shanxiao, the mountain goblin, is said to have one foot or the shape of an ape, living deep in the hills and beguiling travelers with its laughter. The Record of Seasonal Customs of Jing-Chu calls the creature Shansao and says the noise of exploding bamboo drives it away — one origin of the New Year firecracker, a celebration built on scaring a laughing demon from the door.