In the vast history of China, the ancient penal system is particularly thought-provoking. In order to maintain their rule or demonstrate their authority, successive imperial courts did not hesitate to invent all kinds of appalling punishments. Among them, there is a kind of capital punishment called "lighting the sky lantern", which sounds like it is full of mystery and light, but in fact it hides a terrifying cruelty. Do you know what "lighting a sky lantern" is? Why is it hailed as one of the most brutal punishments in history? Let's uncover this bloody history together.
The word "lighting the sky lantern" may be in the impression of many people, just a punishment prop in costume dramas, or a plot element in suspense novels. The true face of this punishment is more brutal and thrilling than any fictional story.
In ancient times, punishment was a means to maintain social order, especially under the influence of Legalist thought, heavy punishment was widely used. From brutal Ling Chi and car splits to terrifying beheadings, all kinds of punishments are designed to achieve a deterrent effect. And "lighting the sky lantern" is undoubtedly the ultimate display.
Originally, "lighting the sky lantern" was not a punishment, but a folk ritual. This activity is very popular during the Chinese New Year, where people erect tall wooden poles and hang lanterns in the center of the village or in their homes to pray for a bright and auspicious new year. Evil is rewarded with evil, and good things become bad things, but this beautiful custom is distorted by some ruthless bandits.
According to historical records, this mutated punishment of "lighting sky lanterns" was first "invented" by bandits in the southwest. They transformed the traditional ritual of lighting the lamp into a form of torture to punish those who betrayed or were hostile. The torture was brutal: the prisoners were stripped of their clothes, wrapped tightly in burlap, and then soaked in oil tanks for several days to ensure that their bodies were adequately absorbed.
On a dark and moonless night, the executioners tied the oil-soaked prisoner with a long pole and set his feet on fire, causing the prisoner to burn in the night sky, illuminating the surroundings like a lantern hanging in the air. This kind of punishment is not only physical torture, but also mental torture, and the prisoner has to die in agony for a long time, and the tragedy is unimaginable.
Over time, this punishment was gradually adopted by some rulers and incorporated into the official penal system. Although it was not carried out many times due to its extreme cruelty, each execution was enough to make people frightened, and it became a veritable "capital punishment within capital punishment" in history.
Let us depict the cruelty of this punishment with a specific historical event. Legend has it that in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, a peasant revolt leader named Li Zicheng was captured due to a defeat. In order to demonstrate, the local government decided to impose the punishment of "lighting a sky lantern" on him. He was soaked in oil and tied to a high pole, and throughout the night, his body burned slowly in the flames, in great pain, while those around him looked for warning in his pain.
The horror of this punishment lies not only in the cruelty of its execution, but also in the deep message it sends: once you become a nail in the eyes of the rulers, unimaginable pain and despair await you. This is a great trampling on human nature and a ruthless destruction of the dignity of life.
From today's point of view, this ancient punishment is undoubtedly extremely brutal. It also reflects a certain concept of the rule of law and the ruling strategy of ancient society. At a time when the rule of law was not yet perfect and the concept of human rights had not yet been established, extreme punishments were often seen as necessary to maintain social stability. This is not only a punishment for prisoners, but also a deterrent to the whole society.
History is always progressing, and as time goes on, people begin to realize that this cruel punishment doesn't really solve the problem. The concept of human rights has gradually taken root in the hearts of the people, and the building of a society governed by the rule of law has also begun to advance gradually. Today, when we look back at those gruesome ancient punishments, we are not only lamenting the cruelty of history, but also to learn from them and cherish and uphold the rule of law and human rights that we have today.
As a kind of capital punishment in history, the cruelty and deterrence of "lighting sky lanterns" are unforgettable. By understanding these shocking histories, we can not only feel the dark side of human nature more deeply, but also cherish the civilization and progress of modern society more. History is the best textbook, and it reminds us to cherish the present and keep moving forward through painful lessons. Let us remember history, respect life, and work together to promote the development of a more just and civilized society.