A general name assigned to malevolent "ghosts" in Chinese tradition, the term encompasses no less than sixty distinct sub-classifications. Each of these spirit types has a specific day for appearing during a continuously repeated sixty day cycle. To appease these spirits, the Chinese leave small gifts of cakes outside their homes with a letter attached, begging the ghosts to enjoy the gift, but then depart from the property in peace. These ghosts sometimes initially appear in the form of a "mist" before gradually assuming a human form, with the head materializing first, then the feet, and finally the body in between. Some sub-forms of 'shins' are also reported to have no chins upon their faces.