Why ancient Chinese folk custom involved cutting thigh flesh to feed sick relatives
South China Morning Post
by Yating YangMarch 4, 2026
In a bizarre and gruesome blend of medical belief and extreme filial devotion, many people throughout Chinese history cut flesh from their own thighs to heal sick relatives.
The custom later evolved into a government-endorsed trend, turning the practice into a path to social mobility and marital success.
Ge gu liao qin, which literally means “cutting one’s own flesh to heal a parent”, refers to an ancient practice in which a child would cut flesh from their own thigh to use as medicine to treat...
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 3/4/2026