What is the use of death row prisoners eating severed heads and releasing raw meat
In ancient China, the penal system was strict, and the emperor was in charge of the severity and specific form of punishment, and any criminal act would be punished accordingly.
The penal system has undergone changes throughout the ages. In the Shunyu period, there are records of elephants as symbols, five punishments of exile, whipping as official punishment, fluttering as a teaching punishment, and gold as a ransom punishment.
In the torrent of history, the most representative punishment is "beheading". At this time, the vicious executioner was armed with a large knife, and the hair of the condemned prisoner was scattered, and the two of them cut off the head of the criminal in the midday sun, which was so cruel that blood flowed all over the ground.
In ancient times, at the scene of the execution of the death penalty, a bowl of rice was often placed next to the criminal, and the rice was covered with a slice of raw pork. This piece of raw pork may seem simple, but it has a vital role.
In ancient times, the penal system was mainly manifested in the form of physical punishment, reflecting the legal concepts and moral standards of the society at that time.
The punishment system during the Xia, Shang and Third dynasties was basically the same, mainly relying on the "five punishments" as a means, with only some minor changes. The five punishments include: ink punishment, slashing punishment, slashing punishment, palace punishment and Dapi.
Ink punishment is the lightest punishment and is made by piercing the neck and back of criminals with ink to permanently identify them. Torture is the cutting off of the prisoner's nose. Torture involves cutting off the prisoner's feet.
The palace punishment is to cut off the prisoner, and the big pi is to sentence the criminal to death. Although the form of execution of the death penalty varied in different dynasties, before the Qin Dynasty, criminals were basically executed through various forms of chronic torture.
However, by the Tang Dynasty, the physical torture of condemned prisoners was gradually reduced to execution.
Tang law is considered to be a model of criminal law in ancient Chinese society, in which beheading is widely used as a form of capital punishment. The practice of beheading is to reduce the psychological and physical torture of criminals, so that they can get a certain amount of comfort before death.
This kind of change reflects the respect for humanity and life in ancient society, and also embodies the justice and humane spirit of the law.
The sword rises and falls, cutting off the sin. It is a decisive way to enforce the law that shortens both the fear of the offender and the grief of the offender's relatives. Beheading is the last mercy of the law enforcer to the criminal, and it is also the respect for life.
Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, in order to win people's hearts and alleviate the guilt, the king of Chu will arrange a sumptuous meal of decapitation for the criminals to enjoy the day before the execution. This meal is not only a ceremony to say goodbye to all the affection in the yang world, but also to inspire the determination of the criminals to move forward bravely on the road of rebirth, hoping that they can be a kind person again in the next life.
There is a saying that when the executioner executes the prisoner, he hopes that the criminal will be happy in the last journey of life, rather than becoming a wronged soul after death and returning to trouble them.
The "severed head meal" for death row inmates is much richer than the usual meal in prison, consisting of at least two meat dishes, a filling staple, and a pot of wine soup. If converted into ** yuan, this meal will cost about 600 to 1200 yuan, which shows its abundance.
This humane rule continues to this day.
The life and death of condemned prisoners has always been the focus of social attention. In addition to giving them the last care and tolerance, the executioners also have their own rules of conduct. Legend has it that the knife used for execution must be blunt, not fast.
This is not superstition, but out of respect for life and the alleviation of guilt in the executioner's heart. In the process of execution, the executioners play the role of depriving the criminal of his life and are the ones who face the criminal to the last moment.
If a quick knife is used, there is a superstitious belief that it will affect the life of the executioner. Therefore, the use of a blunt knife to carry out the punishment is regarded as killing people with knives rather than people, in order to alleviate the guilt in the heart.
However, for those on death row, this does not really alleviate their pain and unease. After all, their fate is already sealed, and this kind of humanistic care is more like scratching the itch in the boots.
Despite this, this respect and care for life is still a sign of the progress of our social civilization.
In the last day of life, the mood of the criminal is often filled with complex emotions that are difficult to describe. Whether it's nervousness, despair, or breakdown, these emotions often accompany the appearance of their last meal.
As a result, this sumptuous meal of severed heads is often overlooked and eventually abandoned. However, over time, this tradition has changed. Now, the severed head is covered with a slice of raw pork.
But note that this piece of meat is not intended for criminals, but has a certain folk superstitious meaning. According to legend, there is a pack of vicious dogs on the bridge that will prevent ghosts from being reincarnated.
In order to ensure a smooth passage through the Nai Ho Bridge, people would carry this piece of raw meat on the way and throw it to vicious dogs when they encountered them. In this way, you can drink Meng Po soup smoothly, forget the joys and sorrows of the world in your previous life, be a new person, and have good intentions.
This piece of raw meat, although it looks like feudal superstition, actually reflects the law enforcer's respect for the dignity and life of the condemned prisoner. It serves as a relief in the last moments of the life of the condemned prisoners, giving them hope for the afterlife.
This practice has gradually evolved from barbarism and violence in ancient times to respect and protection in modern society. Although many of the ancient systems of physical punishment have been abolished in modern times, this tradition of respect for life is still used today.
Despite the numerous lists of criminals' crimes, the current penal system still upholds the last concern for humanity. The execution site is usually heavily guarded, and no onlookers are allowed to enter it except for the executioners.
Compared with the cruelty of the ancient times when the condemned prisoners paraded through the streets and splashed blood on the spot, the execution of the death penalty now seems quieter. For the last meal, the inmates are free to choose, including their favorite food, cigarettes, alcohol, and even what they most want to do on the last day of their lives, and law enforcement will do their best to accommodate them.
Through the lens of the famous photographer Henry Hargreaves, we see the last meal of the condemned prisoners, named "Time is Running Out". Behind these seemingly ordinary foods, there is a tragic fate hidden behind them.
The murderer who killed the pregnant woman chose lobster, garlic bread, fried shrimp and beer; Robbers or prison escapees opt for peach pies, sandwiches, and ice cream. Their last meal became an eternal moment of their isolation, never to be able to taste the next meal.
From the delicacies** when they were alive, we get a glimpse of their food preferences, and it also reflects the tolerance and care of the prison towards them. The disclosure of these information, on the one hand, shows that law enforcers hope that criminals will have a chance to repent and reborn after the last meal of life, and on the other hand, it also warns people that everyone should have a good heart and follow the rules of the law, which is the basic law of survival.
Freedom is not an unfettered indulgence, but is achieved on the basis of rules and self-discipline. True freedom is the ability to have space for self-realization while abiding by the rules, rather than endless indulgence and self-freedom.
Therefore, in both ancient and modern societies governed by the rule of law, governance and punishment always complement each other, and both exist to ensure social peace and stability. Comprehensive governance needs to be supported by clear rules to maintain the normal operation of the society.
Severe punishment can effectively curb the idea of crime, but too severe punishment may be detrimental to the long-term peace and stability of the country. Therefore, a series of human rights protection measures are needed behind the scenes, including compassion, care and respect for life, in order to preserve human dignity, which can be an effective way to govern a major country.