Abstract: Suspending coffin,a bizarre custom in ancient China,is widely regarded as a reflection of ancient and primitive “Yue” (now mainly in Zhejiang province) culture.However,people in Xiangxi region (in the west of Hunan province) identify that it is influenced by “Chu” (now mainly in Hunan and Hubei provinces),holding that suspending coffin is either the return of soul to consciousness in Chu culture,or the exhibition of their worship to phoenix.Suspending coffin is resulted from the spreading of Chu culture in Xiangxi region.

Key words: suspending coffin in Xiangxi region, worship to phoenix, the return of soul, Chu culture