To bare one's upper body and have one's hands tied behind the back, symbolizing complete surrender and submission.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
At the end of the Shang Dynasty, King Wu of Zhou led his army to attack and conquer Yin, the Shang capital.
As victory was imminent, Weizi, a powerful official of the Shang Dynasty, went to the Zhou army camp with his upper body bared and his hands tied behind his back. He held a lamb in his left hand and a bundle of straw (symbolizing an offering) in his right, and advanced on his knees before King Wu.
He presented the sacrificial vessels of the Shang Dynasty and expressed his deep apologies.
Seeing his sincere act of surrender, King Wu ordered Weizi's release and reinstated him to his former position.