In late 19th-century China, a secret society known as the Boxers practiced a form of spirit possession and believed that their rituals would make them immune to foreign bullets. This belief, combined with prophecies of the expulsion of foreigners, led to the Boxer Rebellion in northern China. The uprising, which targeted Christians and foreign diplomats, resulted in a massive international intervention and the weakening of the Qing dynasty.

The Boxer Rebellion and its prophetic dimensions have been depicted in Chinese and Western literature, from contemporary accounts to modern novels. It represents a moment where folklore and prophecy directly influenced political and military action, and has been explored by poets and writers as a symbol of anti-imperialist resistance and cultural collision.