[Chen Xiang Shares] Ancient Oddities 4

Did ancient people brush their teeth?\ Ancient people also paid great attention to oral hygiene. Our ancestors long ago used the middle finger of the right hand as a toothbrush. Later, the 'miswak toothbrush' invented by the Indians was introduced to China by monks, also called 'wood teeth'. The usage was very simple: chew one end of the twigs to soften it, dip it in medicine, and brush the teeth, making them clean. An even simpler method was 'chewing', similar to giraffes chewing young branches, which could also achieve a similar effect. Modern people, if ever on a 'wilderness survival' trip and forget to bring a toothbrush, might as well return to the ancient method.\ What did ancient people do if they were nearsighted?\ In ancient times there were no environmental pollution problems, nor the temptations of TV and computers, so very few were nearsighted. Usually, those who were nearsighted were studious scholars. Think about it, carving walls to steal light, reading under the glow of fireflies at night, of course, nearsightedness would occur. Ancient people believed that not seeing clearly was due to lack of concentration, so 'Dingzhi Pills' were the most commonly used prescriptions. There were also treatments using acupressure and acupuncture for the eyes. In the Ming dynasty, glasses were introduced to China from the West. Relying on glasses, people became even more reckless with their eyes.\ Did ancient men undergo circumcision?\ In ancient China, there was no such custom requiring men to 'have no skin'. Men generally cherished their body hair and skin; only among some ethnic minorities was there a tradition of circumcision. Circumcision was more common abroad. For example, in ancient Egyptian relief works, there are depictions of adult men standing to receive circumcision. The traditional reason for circumcision was not hygiene, but worship, as the foreskin was seen as a flaw in appearance.\ Did ancient men have a liking for cross-dressing?\ 'Cross-dressing men' are somewhat like modern homosexual men, delicate and handsome, enjoying playing female roles. There are records of this in the literature from the Spring and Autumn period. At the time, this appreciation of handsome men was mainly popular among the nobility, and by the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, it was also commonly known among the public. Famous handsome men of the Wei Ming Emperor's time, such as Pan An, He Yan, and Du Hongzhi, were skilled at applying rouge and even made women feel inferior.\ Were there lesbian relationships in ancient times?\ In ancient China, female same-sex relationships were often referred to as 'grinding mirrors', where both sides would touch or caress each other's bodies to gain certain satisfaction. Because both had the same body structure, it was as if a mirror was placed in the middle, hence the name 'grinding mirrors'. There were also cases where one person dressed as a man, tied a tool at the waist, and interacted with the partner in this way.In ancient times, female same-sex relationships often occurred in the imperial harem because the palace women only had access to the emperor and eunuchs. In the absence of enough men, the palace women had to 'handle it internally' themselves.\ Is it really feasible to send messages via carrier pigeons?\ In ancient China, it is not clear when carrier pigeons started being used. During the Mongol westward expeditions, messenger pigeons were already widely used in military operations and achieved great merit. Later, pigeons even became excellent tools for sending love letters, acting as 'matchmakers' for many happy marriages. Ancient people sending messages via pigeons often tied the letters with red silk thread to attract the recipient's attention. Nowadays, we use emails, phone calls, video calls, and so on. Although more convenient and faster, they lack a touch of romance and anticipation.\ Did ancient people have vaults or safes? How did they hide money?\ As early as the primitive era, to preserve food obtained from hard hunting, ancient people would dig holes, place the food inside, and cover it with a large stone. Later, this evolved into wrapping and tying valuable items in animal skins, which could be considered the prototype of a safe. With the development of containers and locks, people began placing money in boxes and cabinets made of various materials. However, even when 'safes' appeared, it was inevitable that robbers would strike along the way. Consequently, banks emerged, but they also became more professional institutions for 'harboring stolen money.'\ Did ancient people wear dentures?\ As early as the Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing invented a mercury alloy filling method for cavities. In the Song Dynasty, specialist doctors for dental prosthetics appeared. Ancient dentures were made from many materials, including elephant ivory, cow bone, and hard sandalwood. Dentures not only solved practical dental problems but also served decorative and show-off purposes. A 'dental bridge' involved binding the teeth with soft gold or iron wire and tying it inside the mouth; it had no chewing function and was purely decorative. This brings to mind Hong Kong movies from the 1980s and 1990s, where a new rich person would open their mouth and their gold teeth would dazzle everyone.