You won’t believe what my Chinese great grandma used this ceramic block for – and it is why they call younger generations ‘soft’

Thousands are shocked after a man revealed what his great-grandmother would use an ornate ceramic block for.

Chris, from Sydney, said his great-grandmother, who is from China, passed down a small ceramic plate and was surprised to learn she used it as a pillow when sleeping.

He had a thousand nerves when he revealed that his relative slept lengthwise on the pillow block instead of flat to keep her head off the floor.

The pillows are said to date back to the 6th century in China and were used for many reasons until the 19th century, including to keep cool at night and even ward off evil spirits.

Chris joked that the heirloom is one of the most “metallic” things his family owns and joked that it could be the reason his “evil” great-grandparents’ generation would call the next generations “soft.”

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“Ceramic pillows were popular in different parts of China at different times,” he explained in a TikTok video.

“Apparently she slept like that and not like you think.”

Chris demonstrated how to use the head restraints while lying on the floor with his head resting long on the block just above his neck.

“It’s not for me, but it’s not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be,” he said.

According to leading art and luxury stores ChristiesChinese ceramic or porcelain pillows were used for a variety of reasons.

He had thousands reeling when he revealed his family member slept the length of the pillow block to keep her head off the ground

They were mainly used to beat the heat and keep the head cool and aligned with the neck and spine during sleep.

The blocks were often beautifully decorated and came in a variety of shapes, including sleeping cats and people.

Some thought they kept eyes healthy and others gifted them to newlyweds in shapes and patterns they believed would bring good luck to the couple.

Others were made in the form of a lion or dragon that were believed to ward off evil spirits and banish the house of bad energy.

Chris’s clip, subtitled “if they say our generation is soft, this is the only example I’ll accept,” was viewed more than 725,800 times and had users in disbelief.

Ceramic Chinese pillows were often intended to keep the head cool and in alignment with the neck and spine. They were beautifully decorated and in various shapes, including cats and humans

“I’m pretty sure I’d wake up paralyzed,” said one woman, and another joked, “Imagine having a pillow fight and someone takes this out.”

“Certainly not for side sleepers,” joked a third.

“Kids these days with their soft, comfy pillows,” laughed a fourth.

“I don’t understand, because people just didn’t move in their sleep back then?” someone else wondered.

“Meanwhile I sneeze too hard and can’t move my neck for a week,” one viewer chuckled.

Some people pointed out that similar pillows were used by Geishas in Japan so they wouldn’t ruin their intricate hairstyles overnight.