The Playful Phenomenon of Contemporary Memorials

In an age where tradition and modernity collide, some creative minds have found a way to bridge the gap between past and present through humor. When paying respects to historical figures, modern visitors occasionally leave unconventional offerings—ranging from witty to downright absurd—that would likely baffle the very ancestors they honor. This trend, particularly visible at the tombs of famous figures from China’s Three Kingdoms, Tang, Song, and Ming-Qing eras, reflects a unique blend of reverence and irreverence, proving that even in remembrance, humanity never loses its sense of humor.

The Three Kingdoms: A Playground for Modern Jesters

The Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE) was an era of legendary heroes and cunning strategists. Today, their graves have become stages for modern-day pranksters.

– Liu Bei’s Cigarettes: At the Han Zhaolie Mausoleum (Liu Bei’s tomb), visitors leave cigarettes—perhaps a nod to the warlord’s stressful life.
– Cao Cao’s Painkillers: Outside Cao Cao’s mausoleum, someone placed a box of ibuprofen—a playful remedy for the headaches caused by his many battles (and betrayals).
– Sun Quan’s “Hefei Obsession”: The Wu emperor’s repeated failed attempts to conquer Hefei (five campaigns, all disastrous) earned him the nickname “Sun 100,000” (for his supposed troop numbers). Visitors now leave Hefei maps and Three Kingdoms game cards featuring Zhang Liao, the Wei general who crushed Sun’s forces with just 800 men.
– Zhou Yu’s Mahjong Tiles: At Zhou Yu’s tomb, someone arranged mahjong tiles with the character “East Wind”—a cheeky reference to the legendary winds that aided his fire attack at the Battle of Red Cliffs.
– Zhuge Liang’s Retirement Gifts: The revered strategist receives walking sticks, blood pressure medication, and even toy missiles—because, as one visitor joked, “With these, he wouldn’t have needed six Northern Expeditions.”

Tang & Song Dynasties: Scholars Meet Absurdity

The Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties, known for their literary giants, also inspire quirky tributes.

– Han Yu’s Crocodile Toys: The Tang scholar, who famously wrote An Admonition to Crocodiles while exiled in Chaozhou, now finds rubber crocodiles at his grave—perhaps mocking his failed attempt to rid the region of the creatures (or corrupt officials they symbolized).
– Liu Zongyuan’s Rubber Snakes: The Tang poet, who lamented the plight of snake hunters in The Snake-Catcher, is now greeted with toy snakes—a darkly humorous nod to his suffering.
– The Su Family’s Gifts:
– Su Xun (father of Su Shi and Su Zhe) gets a “World’s Best Dad” keychain.
– Su Shi (the polymath poet) receives cookbooks, nail polish, and even a miniature王安石 (his political rival-turned-friend).
– Su Zhe is handed a mock “property deed”—because he spent much of his life trying to “buy a house” (a metaphor for securing stability).

Ming-Qing Era: Diplomas, Travel Plans, and Back Braces

By the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) periods, the tributes grow even more elaborate.

– Emperor Yingzong’s “Study Abroad” Kit: After being captured during the Tumu Crisis (1449), the Ming emperor now gets a Foreign Student Application Form and a Survival Guide to the Steppe—because why be a prisoner when you can be an exchange student?
– Qianlong’s Stamp Set: The Qing emperor, notorious for stamping his seal on priceless artworks, is gifted a stamp kit and gold star stickers—so he can “keep marking to his heart’s content.”
– Liu Yong’s Posture Corrector: Despite historical records debunking the myth, visitors still leave back braces for the “Hunchback Minister.”

Why This Matters: History as a Living Conversation

These playful offerings are more than jokes—they’re a testament to how history remains alive in collective memory. By engaging with the past through humor, modern visitors:
– Humanize Historical Figures: Turning legendary names into relatable characters.
– Preserve Cultural Memory: Reinforcing stories (like Sun Quan’s Hefei failures) that might otherwise fade.
– Bridge Generations: Showing that respect doesn’t always require solemnity.

As one visitor quipped while leaving a world map for Qin Shi Huang: “Here’s the empire you missed.” In the end, these gestures—whether a pack of cigarettes or a toy missile—are love letters to history, proving that even the greatest figures of the past can still share a laugh with the present.

So, if you were to visit a historical tomb today, what would you bring? A smartphone for Confucius? A gym membership for the frail Song poets? The possibilities are as endless as history itself.