Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Weather forecast - In ancient times, the execution of death penalty was "the queen of autumn". Why not in other seasons?

In ancient times, the execution of death penalty was "the queen of autumn". Why not in other seasons?

Because in ancient times, it was natural to ask for beheading after autumn. After all, in the eyes of the ancients, everything in autumn and winter withered, giving people the feeling that it was a symbol of cold killing, so they chose to slay the prisoners at this time.

Because the ancients were superstitious at that time. They think there are ghosts and gods in the world. As long as a place is not done well, the gods in the sky will punish themselves, so they are very afraid. Even the emperor can't go against the will of ghosts and gods. He must act according to God's will, or he will be punished.

So they think beheading prisoners is the same. Spring and summer are the seasons when everything grows. At this time, everything is positive and energetic. It is against common sense to kill people in such a beautiful season, so the emperor moved the time of beheading back to autumn, which he thought was in line with God's will. Ancient officials began to hear cases in autumn, and after the first frost every year, all cases were turned out and the prisoners were arraigned. After the trial, all those who should be killed should be released.

The saying of "asking after autumn" has existed since the Western Han Dynasty, when their execution time was in September, October, November and December of the lunar calendar. In the Tang Dynasty, the execution time of the death penalty was set in October, November and December, and so was the Qing Dynasty. Autumn can be used in our text description to adapt to the weather. In addition, autumn is the season of rest. After all, the first few seasons were busy, and we had to be busy planting and harvesting food. The time of the ancients is very precious. In the previous seasons, there was basically no time to control the life and death of a prisoner.

Moreover, the weather gradually turns to winter after autumn, and climatic factors will not lead to plague after prisoners are executed, which greatly reduces the possibility of infectious diseases.