The niaohu

This is a niàohú 尿壺, also known as a urinal. As the name suggests, it was used to collect urine. The niàohú was created so it was no longer necessary to go outside during the night to relieve oneself. Imagine having to pee outside in freezing cold weather...

One of the earliest mentions of urinals in ancient China were the so-called “obscene objects” xiè qì 褻器. During the Warring States Period (476 - 221 CE), the urinal was named “tiger son” hǔzǐ 虎子. (Fig. 2) However, not all of these vessels were used as urinals. Some were used for grooming, washing the face and shampooing. Furthermore, the collection of urine was common practice in Chinese medicine. The hormones present in urine would first be isolated in the form of crysals and then used to treat sexual disorders such as impotence and infertility. You might find this practice unappetizing, but did you know that urine-derived medicine and stem cells are actually a thing?