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Feb. 13th-Ist moon, "1st day. Two images of children are placed behind the doors of dwellings for protecting it, and increasing the prosperity of the in- mates; they are called Shen trái tungtaz'.
Feb. 24th.-Ild moon, 2d day. The household gods born. These are called Tú tí, and Fuh-shin, gods of happiness. They include all classes of household deities. At this period plays are performed at the public offices, and in the streets; while rockets and other fireworks are let off.
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Feb. 25th.-IId moon, 3d day. Wanchang tí kiun, god of learning born. image is placed in the temples of Confucius and the offices of literary magistrates. Scholars worship him.
Feb. 26th.-Ild moon, 6th day. Tung-wá Tí-kiun born; a god of the Táu
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March 7th.-IId moon, 13th day. Hangshing, god of the south sea, born. This is a southern deity, whose worship is chiefly confined to Canton, where it is celebrated with much pomp and display. Same day, the birthday of Yoh Fí, a faithful minister of the Sung dynasty,
March 9th.-Ild moon. 15th day. Laukiun born. Láukiun, called also Láu-tsz', an ancient sage, and the founder of the Táu sect, was partly contein- porary with Confucius. The latter in his youth took lessons from Lautsz' on the subject of sacrificial rites. The principal deities of the Táu sect are-Sán taing, three pure ones,-Shangtí, a supreme ruler, subordinate to those three, and an infinity of inferior gods, and deified men.
March 13th -IId moon, 19th day. Kwányin's birthday; she is the great god. deas of Budhists.
March 20th.-IId moon, 25th day. Hiuen-tien shing fú, birthday of the fa. ther of the Shangtí of the sombre heavens; a god of the Táu sect.
Tsing-ming term,-festival of the tombs. Chung-yáng Wú táu born.
March 26th.—IIld moon, 3d day. Hiuen-tien Shángti, the Supreme Ruler of the sombre heavens; the festival of the second deity of the Rationalists.
This day is also the festival of Peh tí, god of the north pole.
April 5th.-IIId moon, 13th day. April 6th.-IIId moon, 14th day. April 7th.-IIId moon, 15th day. Hiuen-tán Yuen-shwái born; worshiped in households. I'-ling Tái-tí born; a celebrated physician worshiped by sick persons.
April 10th.—IIId moon, 18th day. Hau-tí Niángniảng, the goddess of earth. April 12th.-IIId moon, 20th day. Taz'-sun Niang-niảng, the goddess of child- ren, worshiped by those who wish children.
April 30th.—IVth moon, 8th day. Sán kiái shing-yé, or holy lords of the three borders; worshiped in the yards or courts of houses to propitiate the powers of nature.—Same day is the festival of the present Budha, Shih kiá Ju-lái.
At this period of the year the Chinese everywhere repair to the tombs with offerings of food, which, after the spirits of the deceased have fed on the spiritual portion, they themselves partake of. The weather at this time being usually fine, the weeds and dirt are cleared away from the tombs, and any repairs requisite in the brick work are made.
April 15th.-IIId moon, 23d day. Tien hau, or the Queen of heaven, born. This female deity was a native of Fuhkien ; and has become the goddess of sail. ors, who are mostly of that province. Her temples are numerous, and her wor ship is costly.
April.-About the middle of this month, on a fortunate day in the 3d moon, the grand agricultural ceremony is performed, at Peking by the emperor and his ministers, and in all the provinces by the head officers of the government. The ceremony consists in holding a plough, highly ornamented, which is kept for the purpose, while the bullock which drags it is led over a given space. The rule is that the emperor plough three furrows; the princes, five; and the high ministers, nine. These furrows are, however, so very short, that the last four monarchs of the present dynasty have altered the ancient rule laid down by the predecessors of Confucius, ploughing four furrows, and returning again over the ground. The ceremony finished, the emperor, and his ministers repair to the terrace for inspecting the agricultural labors; and remain till the whole field has been ploughed by husbandmen. The emperor often appoints a proxy.