The ceremony consists in holding a plough, highly ornamented, which in kept for the purpose, while the bullock which drags it is led over a gives space. The rule is that the emperor ploughs three furrows; the princes five; and the high ministers, nine. These furrows are, however, so very short, that the later 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.
March 21st-lId moon, 19th day. Kwányin's birthday; she is often called the Goddess of mercy, and is the great goddess of the Budhists. There are supposed to be more temples erected to this idol in Canton than to any other. March 27th.-Ild moon, 25th day. Hiuen-tien shing fű, birthday of the father of the Shángti of the Sombre Heavens; a god of the Tau sect.
April 4th.—fIId moon, 3d day. Hiuen-tien Shangti, the Supreme Rnier of the Sombre Heavens; the festival of the second deity in the pantheon of the Rationalists. This day is also the festival of Peh ti, god of the North Pole. April 5th.-IIId moon, 4th day. Tsing-ming term,-festival of the tombs. 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 spir- itual 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 brickwork are made.
April 15th.-IIId moon, 14th day. April 16th.-IIId inoon, 15th day. Hiuen-tan Yuen-shwai born; worshiped in households. I-ling 'Tai-ti born; a celebrated physician worshiped by sick persons..
Chung-yang Wú tan born.
April 19th.-IIId moon, 18th day. Hau-ti Niangniang, the goddess of earth. April 21st.-IIId moon, 20th day. Taz'-sun Niang-niang, the goddess of children, worshiped by those who wish children.
April 24th.-IIId moon, 23d day. Tien hau, or the Queen of Heavan, born, This female deity was a native of Fuhkien; and has become the goddess of sailors, who are mostly of that province. She corresponds in many respects to the Amphitrite of the Greeks, though some of her names and attributes seem to have been derived from the Virgin Mary. Her temples are uum-r- ous, and her worship is costly.
May 8th.-IVth moon, 8th day. San kiai 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, Slili-kia Ju-lai.
May 14th.-IVth moon, 14th day. Lúshin Yangshing, one of the eight genii, also called Lútung ping.
May 15th.-IVth moon, 15th day. Chung-li tsu-sz', one of the eight genii. May 17th.-IVth moon, 17th day. Kin-hwa fü-jin; women worship her
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