Martyrdom in Chinese culture

The concept of martyrdom in China during the premodern period largely concerned loyalty to political principles and was developed in modern times by revolutionaries, such as the Tongmenghui and the Kuomintang parties during the Xinhai Revolution, Northern Expedition, and Second Sino-Japanese War.

His failed attempt in 228 BCE to assassinate the King of Qin, who would become the First Emperor of China, made Jing Ke a martyr.

In the Song dynasty military official Yue Fei warned of the danger of invasion but was ignored, then put to death on spurious charges.

Revolutionaries of the Tongmenghui who died in attempts to overthrow the Qing dynasty were recognized as martyrs by the Republic of China after the Xinhai Revolution.

[1] During the revolution, suicide squads were formed by Chinese students going into battle, knowing that they would be killed fighting against overwhelming odds.

[3] Dare to Die student corps led by men like Chiang Kai-shek and Huang Shaoxiong with Bai Chongxi played a role in the attack against Qing forces in the Xinhai Revolution.

Becoming a shaheed in the Jihad for the country was encouraged by the Kuomintang, which was called "glorious death for the state" and a hadith promoting nationalism was spread.

[18] A song written by Xue Wenbo at the Muslim Chengda school, which was controlled by the Kuomintang, called for martyrdom in battle for China against Japan.