CHINESE FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.
31
removed from his command, committed to prison, and subjected to a trial which only served to demonstrate the falsity of the charges brought against him. Nevertheless his enemies succeeded in obtaining an Imperial mandate for his execution, which was forthwith carried into effect. This act has been attended by the undying execration of the historians and of the Chinese people.
April. II. Moon,
4
13
15
17
18
29
19 Fête of Kwanyin, goddess of mercy; for a full description of the dogmas
connected with this goddess, see Eitel's Hand Book, page 18.
28 Tsing Ming, or Tomb Festival.
III. Moon.
May.
2
1 First day of the third moon.
8 Fête of Hiuen Tien Shang-ti, the supreme ruler of the Sombre heavens, or Peh-te, Tauist god of the North Pole.
4 Fête of Chang Fi (see 29th August).
15 Fute of I-ling, a deified physician, and of the god of the Sombre Altar,
worshipped on behalf of sick children.
18 Fête of Heu Tu, the goddess worshipped behind graves; of the god of
the Central mountain, and of the three brothers.
Fête of Tien Heu, Queen of Heaven, Holy mother, goddess of sailors. Fête of Tsz-sun, goddess of progeny.
National Festival of Ts'ang Kieh, inventor of writing. Summer sets in.
IV. Moon.
7
28
10
26
12
28
13
29
14
1
First day of the fourth moon,
17
4
21
8
Fête of the Bodhisattva Mandjushri, worshipped on behalf of the dead. Fête of San Kai, ruler of heaven, of earth, and of hades; also a fête of Buddha.
23
10
Fête of the dragon spirits of the ground.
27
14
28 30 31
15
Fete of Lu Sien, Tauist patriarch, worshipped by barbers. Fête of Chung Li-kien, discoverer of the elixir vitce.
17
June.
Fête of Kin Hwa, the Cantonese goddess of parturition.
18 Fête of Wa-to, a deified physician, and of Tsz-mi, the star god of
malaria.
20 Fate of the goddess of the blind.
2
5
23 Fête of Samanta Bhadra, patron of monasteries.
10
18
17
23
25
28
28 Fête of Yoh Wong, the Taxist god of medicine.
V. Moon.
1 First day of the fifth moon. Fête of the god of the South pole. 5 National fête day. Dragon boat festival and boat races. On this day the Cantonese frantically paddle about in long narrow boats much ornamented, In each boat is a large drum and other musical instruments used to incite the crew to greater exertions. The festival is called Pa Lung Shun or Tiu Wat Uen, and is held to commemorate the death of the Prince of Taoo, who, neglecting the advice of his faithful Minister Wat Uen, drowned himself about B.C. 500.
11 National fête of Sheng Wang, the tutelary god of walled towns. 18 National fête of Kwân-ti, god of war, and of his son General Kwan. 16 Fête of Chang Tao-ling, (A.D. 34.), ancient head of the Tauist sect. His descendants still continue to claim the headship. It is said "the succession is perpetuated by the transmigration of the soul of each successor of Chang Tao-ling, on his decease, to the body of some youthful member of the family, whose heirship is supernaturally revealed as soon as the miracle in effected. Fête of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.