Lingchi

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Lingchi (simplified Chinese: 凌迟; traditional Chinese: 凌遲), also known as "death by a thousand cuts" or "slow slicing," was a form of torture and execution used in China from roughly the 10th century until its abolition in 1905. This method of execution was reserved for the most severe crimes, such as treason, patricide, and matricide.

History[edit | edit source]

Lingchi was first recorded during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) and continued to be used throughout the Song dynasty, Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty, and Qing dynasty. The practice was officially abolished in 1905 by the Qing government as part of a series of legal reforms.

Method[edit | edit source]

The process of Lingchi involved the condemned person being tied to a wooden frame in a public place. The executioner would then make a series of cuts on the body, gradually removing portions of flesh over an extended period. The number of cuts and the duration of the execution varied, but it was designed to be a prolonged and excruciating ordeal. The final act was typically a fatal cut to the heart or decapitation.

Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]

Lingchi was not only a method of execution but also a form of ritual humiliation. It was intended to serve as a deterrent to others by demonstrating the severe consequences of committing heinous crimes. The practice was deeply embedded in the legal and cultural fabric of traditional Chinese society.

Abolition[edit | edit source]

The abolition of Lingchi in 1905 was part of a broader movement to modernize and reform the Chinese legal system. Influenced by Western legal principles and the desire to present a more civilized image to the world, the Qing government sought to eliminate what was seen as a barbaric and outdated practice.