The term “ghost marriage” is a loose translation for a Chinese phrase which literally means “netherworld marriage” (冥婚,minghun). It is the marriage which involves at lease one deceased. It has many similarities to an ordinary marriage and yet is fundamentally different. In this thesis, an inscription from an ancient Chinese tomb is transcribed and translated, followed by a discussion on several key terms in the text. Through the examination of the inscription, the vision of the afterlife in ancient China is found to be both a continuation and a separation from this world.

Wang Meng, an important figure of modern Chinese literature, is best known as an author experimenting with literary techniques at the turn of the 70s and the 80s. Our paper examines a relatively little-known part of his work inspired by the writer's many-year stay in Xinjiang. Examined proses originate primarily from two collections - In Yili and Hello, Xinjiang. In the analysis of Wang Meng's literary creation we take into account the historical context and we present particular features of the literary image of non-Han culture in the work of a Han writer. We also examine the use of narrative techniques, with particular focus on "stream of consciousness" technique.