Guillotine(斩刑):
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: zhǎn xíng，Written as:

The guillotine was a form of capital punishment in ancient China, typically involving the beheading of a criminal with a large knife, and was one of the most severe penalties. Throughout Chinese history, the guillotine was often used to punish those considered to have committed heinous crimes.
The origin of the guillotine can be traced back to the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties of ancient China. As society developed, the penal system gradually improved, and the guillotine became a common method of execution across various dynasties. During the Qin and Han dynasties, the guillotine became institutionalized and was explicitly prescribed in the legal codes.
The guillotine was usually carried out by a professional executioner. Before the execution, the criminal would be bound to a specific apparatus to ensure the correct positioning of the head. The executioner used a sharp, large sword to perform the beheading, aiming to kill with a single blow. This not only tested the executioner’s skill but also reflected the seriousness with which the law was enforced at the time.
Laws of various dynasties had clear regulations regarding the guillotine, such as the types of crimes that warranted this punishment and how it should be carried out. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the guillotine was detailed into different types, such as immediate and delayed execution, to more finely administer justice.
Due to the public nature of guillotine executions, which often had a significant deterrent effect, it was used to maintain social order and the authority of the rulers. Public executions were typically open to spectators, serving both as punishment and as a warning in ancient society.
In Chinese historical documents, novels, and dramas, the guillotine was often used to depict important plots of crime and punishment, reflecting the legal concepts and moral standards of the time. In ancient literary works such as “Water Margin,” the guillotine was a common theme, showcasing the majesty of the law and the tragic fate of heroic figures.
With the establishment of modern judicial systems, the guillotine gradually came to be seen as an inhumane form of punishment. By the late Qing dynasty and the early Republic of China, influenced by the introduction of Western legal ideas, China gradually abolished traditional cruel punishments, including the guillotine. Modern penal sanctions focus more on human rights and fairness, adopting methods that conform to international human rights standards.
As an ancient form of punishment, the guillotine reflected the legal concepts and societal structures of the time. In modern society, research on the guillotine is more focused on its historical significance and cultural impact. As a severe form of punishment in ancient Chinese society, the guillotine played a significant role, but it was phased out with social progress and the evolution of legal concepts. Through studying the guillotine, one can gain deeper insight into the judicial systems and cultural backgrounds of ancient societies.