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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.
; April 1st.—IId moon, 19th day. Kwányin's birthday; she is the great
goddess of the Budhists.
April 5th. Ild moon, 23d day. Tsing-ming term,-festival of the tombs. At this period of the year the Chinese every where repair to the tombs with offerings of food, which after the spirits of the deceased have fed on the spir- Fitual 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.
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April 7th.-Ild moon, 25th day. Hiuen-tien shing fü, birthday of the father of the Shángti of the Sombre Heavens; a god of the Tau sect.
April 14th.-IIId moon, 3d day. Hiaen-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 ti, god of the North Pole.
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April 25th.-IIId moon, 14th day. Chung-yáng Wú tău bort. April 26th.-IIId moon, 15th day Hiuen-tán Yuen-shwai born; worshiped in households. Iling Tái-ti born; a celebrated physician worshiped by sick persons.
April 29th.-IIId moon, 18th day. Hau-ti Niangniáng, the goddess of earth. May 1st.-Illd moon, 20th day. Tsz-sun Niang-niáng, the goddess of 'children, worshiped by those who wish children...
May 4th.-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 'sailors, who are mostly of that province. Her temples are numerous, and her
worship is costly,
May 19th-1Vth 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.
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May 25th.-IVth moon 14th day. Lúshin yangshing, one of the eight genii also called Lútung ping.
May 26th.—IVth moon, 15th day. Chung-li tsu-sz3, one of the eight genii. May 28th.-IV moon, 17th day. Kin-hwa fú-jin; women worship her when their children have the small póx.
May 29th-17th moon, 18th day.. Wa-to sięnsz', a celebrated physician, spoken of in the Sán Kwoh Chi; worshiped by the sick.
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