Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 698

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

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May 31st.-IVth moon, 20th day. Yen-kwáng Shing-mú, Holy Mother of Bright Eyes; a goddess worshiped by the blind, and those with diseased eyes. June 8th.-IVth moon, 28th day. Yoh Wáng, king of Medicine; the Esculapius of Chinese mythology.

June 10th-Vth moon, Ist day. Nán-kih Tá-ti, the Great Ruler of the South Pole; a god of the Rationalists.

June 14th.-Vth moon, 5th day. Festival of dragon boats, called in Chi- nese, Twán-wú or Twán-yáng, and also Tien-chung. On this day, may people race backwards and forwards, in long narrow boats, which being va- riously painted and ornamented so as to resemble dragon, are called lung chuen, ‘dragon boats.' From the narrowness of the boats, and the number of persons on board, there being sometin es from sixty to eighty paddles, it not unfrequently happens that several of the boats break in two; so that the festivities seldom conclude without the loss of several lives. Tradesmen's accounts are cleared off at this period.

July 14th.-VIth noon, 6th day. Sai i-fuh, festival of Airing Clothes. July 1st.-VIth moon, 13th day. Lú-pán, the god of Carpenters and Ma- sons. Tsing-shin lung-wang, God of Wells and dragon-king, worshiped by sailors and others, to avert calamity and storms.

July 24th.-VIth moon, 16th day. Wángling kwánshing; a deified states- man worshiped for averting punishment.

July 27th.-Vith moon, 19th day. Assumption of Kwanyin; she ascends to heaven.

July 31st.-Vith moon, 23d day. God of Fire born. This deity is fre- quently propitiated by exhibitions of plays. In China there are no regular the- aters; sheds are erected in the streets, and a platform being raised about four feet above the ground, the spectators all stand in the street in front; the expenses are paid by private subscription, usually, of several merchants. Gentleinen have them also at their own houses, where in soine instances there are substantial buildings erected for the performance of the players, and the accommodation of persons invi'ed to see the play. Even in th ́s case, an open space is left for the free admission of the people.-Also Kwáu shing tái ti, God of War born; Má wáng-shing, the God of horses, worshi ed to avert disease from horses, and by horsemen to become skillful in equestrian fats, Aug. 8th.-VIIth moon, 1st day. Sháu-i, or Burning Clothes festival. At this period, which lasts fifteen days, clʊ hes made of various colored papers are burnt, that they may so pass to the invisible world, for the benefit of de- ceased relatives. Prayers also are recited and food offered, chiefly for those who have been drowned at sea. This festival is much observed by the people of Fuhkien province. The custom arises from a tradition respecting a young man who obtaine I admission to Tartarus, and brought his mother from then :e. Ang. 14th.-VIIth moon, 7th day. Sháng kung sien uti, the female genii of the seven palaces descend; a festival observed by won in, who worship these fairies to avert disease, and get skill in dom stie work.

Ang: 29th.—VIIth moon, 29d day, Tsang-fuh Trái-shin, god of Happiness and Wealth; placed in niches at the doors of shops. This deity, the Plutus

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