China
Hanging coffins are an ancient funeral custom of some minority groups, especially the Bo people of southern China. Coffins of various shapes were mostly carved from one whole piece of wood. Hanging coffins either lie on beams projecting outward from vertical faces such as mountains, are placed in caves in the face of cliffs, or sit on natural rock projections on mountain faces.
It was said that the hanging coffins could prevent bodies from being taken by beasts and also bless the soul eternally.
Locations of hanging coffins include:
- Fujian
- Wuyi Mountains
- Hubei
- Jiangxi
- Longhushan (龙虎山), 20 km southwest of Yingtan City (Guyue people)
- Sichuan
- Gongxian County of Yibin, southwest Sichuan (Bo people)
- Qutang Gorge, one of the Three Gorges
- Yunnan
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