The notice in Lu'an city, Anhui province, Oct 26, 2014. [Photo/CFP]

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A notice advocating the adage "bury the son to support the mother" appeared on a street in Anhui province sparking widespread criticism.

The saying relates to an ancient Chinese named Guo Ju living in poverty with his mother and wife. After the couple had a son, the mother always ate little so the baby could eat more. Guo and his wife decided to bury the son to support the mother. While digging a hole they found a pot of gold with a message rewarding Guo for his filial piety. Thus the baby and mother both survived.

The notice was one among 24 advocating ancient stories of filial piety. After it appeared in Lu'an city, citizens expressed disgust.

One surnamed Shu said: "It's a duty to support mother but is it right to advocate 'bury son'? It's a crime."

Xiao Fang, a professor in folk customs at Beijing Normal University, said The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars?" is historic and had a positive effect on ancient society. But some do not match modern ethics and values and should not be advocated".

Li He, a philosophy scholar at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: "If people made the notice on purpose they are tarnishing the promotion of traditional culture; if not on purpose, they do not know how to advocate traditional culture."

The notice was later removed.