.92
when their children have the small pox. A temple to this goddess is situat- ed opposite the Factories in the suburb of Honam.
May 18th.-IVth moon, 18th day. Wa To siensz', a celebrated physician, spoken of in the San Kwoh Chi; worshiped by the sick.
May 20th.-IVth moon, 20th day. Yen-kwáng Shing-mú, Holy Mother of Bright Eyes; a goddess worshiped by the blind, and those with diseased eyes. May 28th.-IVth moon, 28th day. Yoh Wáng, king of Medicine; the Esculapius of Chinese mythology.
May 31st-Vth moon, 1st day. Nán-kih Tá-ti, the Great Ruler of the South Pole; a god of the Rationalists.
June 4th.—Vth moon, 5th day. Festival of dragon boats, called in Chi- nese, Twán-wú or Twán-yáng, and also Tien-chung. On this day, many people race backwards and forwards, in long narrow boats, which being va- riously painted and ornamented so as to resemble dragons, are called lung chuen, 'dragon boats.'From the narrowness of the boats, and the number of persons on board, there being sometimes 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. The magistrates endeavor to repress the ardor of the people by issuing their prohibitions, but the people are led on by the excitement. The races are attended by thousands, and the rowers are inspirited by the sound of drums and pipes; these noises are supposed to terrify evil spirits and ward off disease, so that the sports are attended with double zest when sickness prevails. Tradesmen's accounts are cleared off at this period.
July 4th.-VIth moon, 6th day. Sai í-fuh, festival of Airing Clothes. It is a tradition that clothes aired on this day are not liable to be injured by insects. July 11th.-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 14th-VIth moon, 16th day. Wangling kwanshing; a deified states- man worshiped for averting punishment.
July 17th.-VIth moon, 19th day. Assumption of Kwanyin; she ascends to heaven.
July 21st.-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. Gentlemen have them also at their own houses, where in some instances there are substantial buildings erected for the performance of the players, and the accommodation of persons invited to see the play. Even in this case, an open space is left for the free admission of the people.-Also Kwan-shing Tai-ti, God of War born. Má Wáng-shing, the God of Horses, worshiped tò avert disease from horses, and by horsemen to become skillful in equestrian feats. July 28th-VIIth moon, Ist day. Sháu-i, or Burning Clothes festival. At
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.