The section on rites and ceremonies in the Hou Han Shu (History of the Latter Han Dynasty) tells how each year in the 12th lunar month, dances would be held to exorcise disease-bringing spirits from all around.
「後漢書」的禮儀志就記述到臘月驅除四方疫鬼的儺舞，主角是驅鬼的方相氏和十二神獸。