Hu Tao is the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor inGenshin Impactand stands out even when dressed in near-black with subtle decorations. She, alongside Consultant Zhongli and the Ferrylady, is responsible for carrying out a centuries-old custom in Liyue. Despite her eccentric and mischievous behavior, Hu Tao is a devoted and faithful individual who takes her role between life and death seriously.
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However,Genshin Impactholds many more secrets surrounding Hu Tao’s voice lines, story, and design. From her captivating appearance to her distinctive playstyle, there are numerous interesting details that players should take note of. Ultimately, Hu Tao is one character inGenshin Impactwhose design is saturated with trivia and mystery while staying true to a very clear theme revolving around life and death.
7Hu Tao Likes Poetry and Singing
Hu Tao is best renowned not for her role as Director, but for her remarkable talent in poetry. Nicknamed the “versemonger of the darkest alleys,” her free verse has gained the admiration of everyone,including Xingqiu. Her song “Hilitune,” now popular in Liyue Harbor and sung by children in Qingce Village, is an example of her creative genius. Hobbyists and critics alike have been in awe of the originality of “Hilitune” and have flocked to Wanwen Bookhouse to discover more of Hu Tao’s works. Sadly, her two anthologies, “Fiddlesticks” and “Of Common Lives,” remain unpublished.
Hu Tao’s “Hilitune” is not only sung by her on her voicelines and while she is idle, but also by Dusky Ming in Wangshu. The song is also referenced in the Wonders of the World achievement Silly-Billy Churlish Ghoul. In addition, the song references the Chinese nursery rhyme called Ten Rabbits in the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean versions, which has a dark underlying meaning.
6Hu Tao’s Design Is Associated With The Symbolism Of the Butterfly
From her animations toher constellation, Hu Tao’s design is heavily influenced by butterflies. Not only are these beautiful creatures aesthetically pleasing, but they also carry a deep symbolic meaning that resonates perfectly with her role and characteristics. Butterflies are typically associated with transformation and rebirth, which serves as an apt metaphor for Hu Tao’s role as the director of the funeral power, allowing her to guide the souls of the deceased to the afterlife.
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Interestingly, her name is deeply connected to butterflies and life. Her surname Hu is present in the Chinese word for “butterfly,” while her given name Tao means peach or long life. In China, peaches are a symbol of immortality and longevity, making her name an even more fitting representation of her role. Her constellation, Papilio Charontis, is a nod to both butterflies, specifically the Jupitellia charon and Greek mythology’s Charon, the latter of which was said to ferry souls across the river Styx, the boundary connecting the realms of the living and the dead. Further, in Chinese, Hu Tao’s constellations read as a poetic ode to the butterflies that guide people toward the afterlife. On her own voicelines, Hu Tao also mentions that butterflies are guides because they want to become seelies that guide players to treasures.
5Hu Tao’s Design Has Many References to Transition and Rebirth
Alongside the butterfly symbolism,Hu Tao’s designcontains many more elements that represent transition and rebirth. Firstly, her hat is adorned with a Plum Blossom, which she herself has plucked from a tree she had grown. In Chinese culture, the symbolism behind the Plum Blossom is deeply rooted; it stands for perseverance and hope in the face of adversity, as well as beauty in unexpected places. Additionally, the Plum Blossoms are often seen as a sign of transition; as they bloom even in the harsh winter and spring, and bring with them warmth, hope, and the promise of fruitfulness.
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Her design also showcases a beautiful Equinox flower embroidered at the back of her coat. These flowers are traditionally used in Japanese funerals and are perceived as “flowers of hell” in Chinese Buddhism, as they are rumored to be from the underworld and to bloom along the roads of hell, leading mortals to reincarnation in the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth.
Furthermore, Hu Tao’s Harmony Hexagram Hat is inspired by Taoist beliefs. The shape is similar to a Lingpai, which is used for holding religious ceremonies such as escorting the soul of the dead, exorcising evil spirits, and comforting the scared, similar to the services of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
4Hu Tao’s Ghost Companion Is Still A Mystery
Hu Tao’s Burst, Splash Art, and even her idle animations all feature a cute, ghostly figure. While having a ghostly companion perfectly suits Hu Tao as she lingers between the living and the dead, very little is known about this ghost as no details have been shared in the game’s story or her voice lines.
However, theGenshin Impactcommunity has lovingly given it the nickname “Boo Tao.” Despite its mysterious nature, it is believed that this companion is not actually a ghost since as it does not show any similarities to other ghostly figures in the game. Boo Tao is more reminiscent ofOz, Fischl’s companion, which is a manifestation of her elemental energy.
3Hu Tao Dislikes Baizhu
Hu Tao’s voiceline about Baizhu may not reveal much, other than her obvious dislike for him. However, her story related to Qiqi reveals much more detail as to why this might be the case. Hu Tao has been attempting to kidnappoor Qiqito give her a proper burial, believing that this will free her from suffering, something she has seen far too often. Unfortunately, Baizhu always finds them in time and interrupts the ceremony, effectively saving Qiqi from being buried.
Despite the fact that Baizhu may be showing his care for Qiqi through his actions, Hu Tao still holds resentment towards him, which can also be seen in bulletin boards around the city. This could be because she disagrees with his approach, as she is incredibly respectful of death and its natural orders, and may view Baizhu’s attempts to save lives as a violation of them. Nevertheless, Hu Tao eventually comes to understand Qiqi’s strong will to live, and this may soften her attitude towards Baizhu.
2Hu Tao Did An April Fool’s Joke
Genshin Impactis highly present on various social media platforms, such as Twitter and Instagram. On June 04, 2025,Genshin Impactannounced Hu Tao as their April Fools’ Day mascot, and the game’s official Discord server swapped to a Hu Tao theme.
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Unfortunately, Hu Tao’s prank was not repeated in 2022, and instead, HoYoverse used their secondary account, Ella Musk, to share a fake trailer for a playable Abyss Lector. While it is nice to seeGenshin Impactdoing something creative each year, fans are hoping that Hu Tao will bring her pranks back in the future.
1Hu Tao’s Birthday Is July 15
Hu Tao’s birthdayon the 15th of July is truly special. Not only does it fall right in the middle of the summer, mirroring her Pyro vision, but it is also significant in the Chinese lunar calendar. This date marks the celebration of the Ghost Festival, also known as the Zhongyuan Festival in Taoism and Yulanpen Festival in Buddhism. It has many similarities to the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead, and is a time for honoring and remembering those who have passed away.
On this special day, the souls of ancestors will be welcomed back into the world and reunited with their family members. To honor and commemorate the occasion, living people will hold various ceremonies such as burning incense, floating river lanterns, and singing prayers. This bond between the living and the dead is a testament to the rich symbolism that the creators ofGenshin Impacthave paid to her design, a true feat of remarkable attention to detail.
Genshin Impactis now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.
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