When Zhuge Liang was dying, it was rumored that he died with seven grains of rice in his mouth. This scene occurred after his five Northern Expeditions, and he died of illness in Wuzhangyuan in the twelfth year of Jianxing (234) at the age of fifty-four. However, at the end of his life, why did he have seven grains of rice in his mouth?
After Liu Bei's death, Zhuge Liang wholeheartedly assisted Liu Chan and was determined to revitalize the Han family. However, while fighting Sima Yi, his condition suddenly deteriorated. Knowing that once he died, Sima Yi would not hesitate to attack, Zhuge Liang arranged the Seven Star Array after careful consideration, hoping to extend his life.
After the plan was destroyed by Wei Yan, Zhuge Liang was helpless. In order to maintain the brilliance of his hole star, he resorted to the last resort and put seven grains of rice in his mouth. This is not without purpose, but is based on ancient beliefs. The ancients believed that everyone had a corresponding star in the sky, and that after death, the star would be dim. By holding rice in his mouth, Zhuge Liang tried to maintain the brilliance of his own Kongxing, because rice is consumed by living people.
In ancient times, seven days were regarded as a cycle, hence the saying that the first seven days were born. Therefore, Zhuge Liang has seven grains of rice in his mouth, implying that he hopes to continue his existence. He believed that Sima Yi would observe whether Kong Xingxing was still flashing before sending out to determine whether he was still alive. Sure enough, Sima Yi saw that Kong Ming's lantern was still shining as before, so he did not launch an attack and missed the best opportunity to pursue the Shu army.
Pang Degong, a famous scholar in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, had close contacts with Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Sima Hui and others. He is proficient in the Five Elements Bagua Qimen Dunjia, the art of Yin and Yang to continue life. Pang Degong taught what he had learned to Zhuge Liang, and was known as Zhuge Liang's teacher, and was also respected by Zhuge Liang. When he was dying, Zhuge Liang thought that the only person who could save him was Pang Degong, who was more powerful than himself.