'Lingchi', 'Slow Slicing', 'Death by a Thousand Cuts' and 'The Lingering Death' are all names used to describe a form of torture and execution that was used in China, Vietnam and several other eastern countries. It is a long, drawn out process, where the condemned is slowly taken apart, through methodical slicing, and the removal of body parts.
This form of torture and execution was only abolished in 1905, and as such, graphic photographs exist today of the entire procedure.
This form of torture and execution was only abolished in 1905, and as such, graphic photographs exist today of the entire procedure.
Death by a Thousand Cuts
Torture of a French Missionary in China 1858. Lingchi was a form of torture and execution, which was carried out in China up until 1905, when it was abolished. For roughly 1000 years it was one of the most feared sentences that a prisoner could receive, due to its specific aim to NOT be quick or painless.
Generally, Lingchi was used to punish crimes of an extreme nature, especially treason, parenticide or mass murder.
Lingchi, Slow Slicing, Death by a Thousand cuts, The Slow Process and The Lingering Death were all names given to this form of execution. The names themselves should hint at what took place.
It was also a form of spiritual punishment, as according to Confucian principles, the condemned, having been taken to pieces as punishment, would not be a 'whole' spirit in the afterlife.
Generally, Lingchi was used to punish crimes of an extreme nature, especially treason, parenticide or mass murder.
Lingchi, Slow Slicing, Death by a Thousand cuts, The Slow Process and The Lingering Death were all names given to this form of execution. The names themselves should hint at what took place.
It was also a form of spiritual punishment, as according to Confucian principles, the condemned, having been taken to pieces as punishment, would not be a 'whole' spirit in the afterlife.
The Process
The condemned arrives. (The following comes with warning as it is quite graphic in its description and images of human torture and execution.)
The process is not specified in Chinese Law, so the exact procedure will have differed slowly from region to region and executioner to executioner. However, westerners have been witness to several such executions, so the procedure has been detailed from an outside perspective:
The condemned is tied to a post, and although opium has been administered to dull the senses, and prevent an early death through shock, they are more than well aware of what is to come. Arms and legs are bound with the arms tied around the back of the pole. The head is also held up via ropes so the face can be seen through the entire process.
The process is not specified in Chinese Law, so the exact procedure will have differed slowly from region to region and executioner to executioner. However, westerners have been witness to several such executions, so the procedure has been detailed from an outside perspective:
The condemned is tied to a post, and although opium has been administered to dull the senses, and prevent an early death through shock, they are more than well aware of what is to come. Arms and legs are bound with the arms tied around the back of the pole. The head is also held up via ropes so the face can be seen through the entire process.
The breasts have been removed. The first stroke is generally to the right breast, which is slowly removed leaving a deep circular wound. If the condemned is lucky, either due to be given a lighter form of this execution, or a bribe has been paid, the knife is passed through the rib cage piercing the heart making death instantaneous. If not then the full horror of the torture and execution is felt until the body finally gives up.
The other breast is removed. Parts are placed in a wicker basket at the condemned’s feet. These are followed by the thighs, biceps and the other major muscles found on the limbs.
The other breast is removed. Parts are placed in a wicker basket at the condemned’s feet. These are followed by the thighs, biceps and the other major muscles found on the limbs.
All limbs and the head has been removed. The lower arms are then removed at the elbows, followed by the lower legs. The condemned, if still alive, will generally expire at this point. Then the upper portion of the limbs are removed, before the condemned is decapitated.
The torso is then removed from post and placed in the wicker basket with all the other body parts. The ground below the post, and the surrounding area, is saturated with blood.
The torso is then removed from post and placed in the wicker basket with all the other body parts. The ground below the post, and the surrounding area, is saturated with blood.
Wicker basket holding the body parts. The entire process took between 15-20 minutes to complete, with a crowd watching the entire thing. Sometimes, however, the executioner would take their time, perhaps under orders from the governing official, with the condemned lasting up to half a day, shouting and screaming, as a slower form of the process was carried out.
Some records state that in the earlier uses of Lingchi, the condemned’s eyes were removed, so they could not see what was to happen as their face was mutilated (ears, nose and lips removed) as well as their genitalia.
In later Lingchi executions, photographers would be present to chronicle the entire event. But they also served a more macabre purpose... postcards and other mementos were made of the images.
The photos you see for this article come from the execution of Wang Weiqin, which took place in Caishikou, Beijing on 31st October 1904. Wang Weiqin was a former official who had killed two families.
It is not known whether there was a minimum age requirement for a prisoner to receive the sentence, however, French soldiers stationed in Beijing in 1905, photographed the execution of a 'deranged young boy'.
In both these cases the condemned was given respite by having an early penetration of the heart with the remainder of the process taken post mortem.
Some records state that in the earlier uses of Lingchi, the condemned’s eyes were removed, so they could not see what was to happen as their face was mutilated (ears, nose and lips removed) as well as their genitalia.
In later Lingchi executions, photographers would be present to chronicle the entire event. But they also served a more macabre purpose... postcards and other mementos were made of the images.
The photos you see for this article come from the execution of Wang Weiqin, which took place in Caishikou, Beijing on 31st October 1904. Wang Weiqin was a former official who had killed two families.
It is not known whether there was a minimum age requirement for a prisoner to receive the sentence, however, French soldiers stationed in Beijing in 1905, photographed the execution of a 'deranged young boy'.
In both these cases the condemned was given respite by having an early penetration of the heart with the remainder of the process taken post mortem.
Ashley Hall 2012
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