Ancient China, with its rich cultural heritage and long history, developed a legal system that was as complex as it was unforgiving. Punishments for crimes were often brutal and sometimes downright shocking by modern standards. The imperial government of ancient China sought to maintain control and social order through a variety of extreme forms of punishment. Here are some of the most shocking punishments from ancient Chinese history that you won’t believe actually happened:
1. The "Lingchi" – Death by a Thousand Cuts
Perhaps one of the most infamous forms of punishment in ancient China was lingchi or “death by a thousand cuts.” This was a particularly gruesome form of execution used for those who committed severe crimes, such as treason or mass murder. The condemned would be tied to a post and slowly mutilated by having small portions of their body cut off over an extended period, usually in public view. The process could take hours or even days, and the person would eventually die from blood loss, shock, or organ failure. This punishment was abolished in the early 20th century, but it remains one of the most chilling images of ancient Chinese justice.
2. The "Cangue" – The Wooden Collar of Shame
The cangue was a form of public humiliation used to punish minor criminals. The cangue was a large wooden collar that would be placed around the neck of the convicted person. It weighed several pounds and often covered the victim’s head and shoulders. The individual would be forced to wear this contraption in public for days or weeks, with their face exposed for all to see. While the punishment was not physically deadly, it was psychologically humiliating and often led to the person’s social isolation. It was used for relatively minor offenses like tax evasion or petty theft.
3. The "Mingling with Dogs" – A Public Execution for Adultery
Adultery was a serious crime in ancient China, and the punishment for women who were caught in the act was particularly harsh. In some regions, women who committed adultery could be executed by being “mingled with dogs.” This involved the woman being dragged through the streets, humiliated, and then thrown into a pit with wild dogs, where she would be torn apart. This punishment was meant to serve as a deterrent to other women and maintain the rigid moral code of the time. Men caught in adultery often faced lesser consequences, but women were held to a much harsher standard.
4. Flaying Alive – The Ultimate Revenge
Flaying alive, or the removal of skin from the living body, was another horrific punishment used for those accused of treason or betrayal. The condemned person would have their skin peeled off, sometimes while they were still conscious. This form of execution was used as a particularly brutal way to punish those who had betrayed the empire or the emperor. The physical agony of having one’s skin removed made this one of the most terrifying punishments in ancient China.
5. The "Water Torture" – Drowning with a Twist
Water torture, also known as shui zhong or “water prison,” was a form of punishment that involved a slow drowning process. The victim would be submerged in water and held there for extended periods, with their breathing controlled by the executioner. The goal was to inflict intense suffering while keeping the victim alive, sometimes for hours or days. This cruel form of torture was often used to extract confessions or punish individuals who were seen as enemies of the state. It was especially common during the reigns of the Tang and Song dynasties.
6. The "Castration" of Criminals and Offenders
Castration was an extreme form of punishment in ancient China that was reserved for the most severe criminals, such as those who committed treason or attempted to overthrow the ruling dynasty. The condemned person would be castrated as part of the punishment, often followed by exile or death. In some cases, the emasculated individual was also forced to become a eunuch, working in the palace or court. The punishment was seen as a way to eliminate a person’s ability to procreate, thus preventing them from ever again challenging the state’s power. Eunuchs, however, often gained significant political power in later periods, particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
7. Exile to Remote, Hostile Locations
For certain crimes, especially political ones, the punishment might not involve death, but exile to a faraway, desolate location. The exiled individual would often be sent to remote islands or mountainous regions where survival was difficult. This punishment was particularly common for those who fell out of favor with the emperor or imperial court, and it served as a means of removing political threats without the need for execution. The most infamous example of this was the exile of the poet Li Bai during the Tang dynasty, who was forced to live in a remote part of China after being accused of treason.