Being executed is rarely a good way to go, but Lingchi—also known as "death by a thousand cuts"—is one of the worst. This brutal method of execution was used in imperial China from the 10th century until its abolition in 1905. Reserved for severe crimes like treason or patricide, Lingchi involved slowly dismembering the victim's body, prolonging their suffering before death. It was not just a means of punishment but a tool of terror, designed to humiliate and send a chilling message to others. The gruesome nature of Lingchi made it infamous, and rumors of its continued use continued long after its abolition. WARNING: Includes graphic photo of the last Lingchi recorded. 16th Century Executioners Sold Human Fat for Medicinal Ointments The Iron Maiden: This Medieval Torture Device Was Used as Recently as 2003! Lingchi- An Awful Way to Go. The Method As far as execution methods go, Lingchi is actually one of the simpler ones. It simply required the executioners to tie the condemned person to a wooden post, normally in a public place, and then start cutting until the target died. If they happened to die before the process was finished (which they almost always did), the executioner would carry on regardless as an act of humiliation. Read moreSection: NewsHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later