3 Crazy Ancient China Laws #ai #aiart #shorts

3 Crazy Ancient China Laws

In 200 BC, ancient China was governed by some unusual laws, especially during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Standing at just 4'11", he set some peculiar standards that influenced how society operated, from determining adulthood to displaying emotions. Here are three crazy laws from that era:

The Height Law

According to Qin Shi Huang's 18 laws, a person's height was a crucial factor in determining their status. To be considered an adult, one had to be as tall as the emperor himself. This meant that shorter men could often plead as children, avoiding various legal responsibilities and penalties. Due to the lack of complete birth records and the impossibility of verifying one's age accurately, height became the defining yardstick for adulthood.

The No Crying Rule for Men

Qin Shi Huang's laws also included a strict prohibition on men crying. Expressing emotions through tears was seen as a sign of weakness. Men caught crying were subjected to a severe and humiliating punishment: their beards and eyebrows were shaved off. This rule enforced stoicism and emotional control among men, reflecting the emperor's views on masculinity and strength.

The Marriage Crying Ritual for Women

The Qin Dynasty instituted one of the weirdest crying rituals for women preparing for marriage. Every bride-to-be had to cry for one hour every day for 30 days before her wedding. This was not a solitary act; it involved her female relatives as well. For the first two weeks, her mother would join her, followed by her grandmother for the next two weeks. In the final week, aunts and sisters would participate. This ritual served as a display of affection and emotional bonding within the family.

Keywords

• Ancient China
• Emperor Qin Shi Huang
• Height law
• Men crying prohibition
• Marriage crying ritual
• Qin Dynasty
• Laws of Qin

FAQ

Q: Why did Emperor Qin Shi Huang use height to determine adulthood? A: Due to incomplete birth records and the inability to verify one's age, the emperor used height as a practical way to ascertain adulthood, setting the standard at his own height of 4'11".

Q: What was the punishment for men who cried in ancient China under Qin Shi Huang's rule? A: Men who were caught crying faced the punishment of having their beards and eyebrows shaved off, as crying was seen as a sign of weakness.

Q: What was the purpose of the marriage crying ritual for women in ancient China? A: The crying ritual was a way to display familial affection and emotional bonding. It involved the bride-to-be crying for an hour daily before her wedding, with the participation of her mother, grandmother, aunts, and sisters over the span of a month.