One is that rulers want to show their broad mind. The most serious punishment in ancient times was the death penalty, and the habit of letting prisoners eat decapitated meals before execution can be traced back to the Warring States Period. The rulers at that time attached great importance to public opinion. Rulers believe that providing beheaded food to death row inmates can show their kindness and improve their status in the eyes of ordinary people. Therefore, when a condemned person is executed, he usually has a full meal. According to historical records, at that time, the food standard of death row prisoners even reached five yuan, which was not a small sum at that time, enough for prisoners to eat a hearty meal.

Second, because of feudal superstition. The ancients were very feudal and superstitious. They think that after the death penalty is beheaded, the soul will directly enter the underworld, and if it is not fed, it will make trouble in the underworld after death, which will bring a lot of trouble to the underworld. Therefore, before the execution, let the condemned man have a full meal, which can avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble for frightening people.

The third is to leave the prisoners with their last dignity. Most death row inmates have committed felonies. Although they have committed heinous crimes, they are still alive. As long as they are human beings, they will take care of their dignity. It is the greatest respect for the condemned prisoners to eat enough and then die peacefully. At the same time, it is also a blessing to the condemned prisoners. I hope they can be reborn as soon as possible and become a good person in the next life.

In fact, although the food expenses of the condemned prisoners were initially set around 50 yuan, with the passage of time, due to the exploitation of officials, the food expenses of the condemned prisoners were suppressed and eventually turned into a bowl of rice, a bowl of vegetables and a bowl of meat. In modern society, few people will be sentenced to death. Before the execution, the prison guards will also provide food for the condemned prisoners, so that they can have a full meal before going on the road, which can be said to be quite humanized.