Reported about 1 year ago
In ancient times, executions were scheduled for 1:45 PM starting from the reign of Emperor Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty. The time was chosen due to various reasons, including spiritual beliefs, consideration for the executioner, and deterrence effects. The practice was believed to pacify spirits, prevent revenge from wrongly executed spirits, and maximize public deterrence by attracting more spectators. Additionally, the tradition of serving a decapitation meal before the execution, with a piece of raw meat symbolizing feeding the hellhound, originated from the Chu King Zhuang's period. This practice aimed to showcase the ruler's generosity and prepare the condemned for the afterlife.
Source: YAHOO