When people are gravely ill, their lifespans are seen as nearly depleted but it’s believed that this ritual would allow their children to offer parts of their own lifespans in exchange. Photo: Chinatopix via AP

Explainer | How ancient Chinese borrowing longevity custom helps to extend lifespan

A superstitious Chinese custom known as “borrowing longevity” involved performing a ritual to pray to the gods when a relative was seriously ill. During this ritual, individuals would voluntarily offer to shorten their own lifespans in hopes of extending the patient’s life. In ancient China, people held a profound belief in fate, considering a person’s…

A superstitious Chinese custom known as “borrowing longevity” involved performing a ritual to pray to the gods when a relative was seriously ill. During this ritual, individuals would voluntarily offer to shorten their own lifespans in hopes of extending the patient’s life.

In ancient China, people held a profound belief in fate, considering a person’s lifespan predetermined and unchangeable. However, they also believed that life expectancy could be borrowed or exchanged.

When parents were gravely ill with little hope for recovery, it was thought that their lifespans were nearly depleted.

In a desperate effort to extend their parents’ lives, some children would engage in devout rituals, seeking to offer part of their own lifespans in exchange.

When people are gravely ill, their lifespans are seen as nearly depleted but it’s believed that this ritual would allow their children to offer parts of their own lifespans in exchange. Photo: Chinatopix via AP
When people are gravely ill, their lifespans are seen as nearly depleted but it’s believed that this ritual would allow their children to offer parts of their own lifespans in exchange. Photo: Chinatopix via AP

These rituals typically began with the child fasting and bathing for three days to purify their body and mind.

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