CHINESE FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.
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of persons on board, there being sometimes from sixty to seventy paddles, it not un- frequently happens that several of the boats break in two; so that the festivities seldom conclude without the loss of several lives. The magistrates en leavour to repress the ardour of the people by issuing their prohibitions, but the people are led on by the ex- citement. The races are attended by thousands, and rowers are inspirited by the sound of drums and pipes; these noises are supposed to terrify evil spirits and ward off disease; consequently the sports are attended with double zest when sickness prevails. Trades- men's accounts are cleared off at this period.-Fifth moon, fifth day.
SAI-I-FUH.-Sai-ífuh, festival of airing clothes. It is a fancy that clothes aired on this day are not liable to be injured by insects.-Sixth moon, sixth day.
LU-PAN.-Lú-pàn, the god of carpenters and masons, on which day these crafts- men take holiday. Tsing-shim Lung-wang, god of Wells and Dragon-king, worship- ped by sailors and others to avert calamity and storms.-Sixth moon, thirteenth day. KWANYIN. Assumption of Kwanyin; she ascends to heaven.-Sixth moon,
nineteenth day.
GOD OF FIRE.-God of Fire born. This deity is frequently propitiated by exhibitions of plays. In China there are no regular theatres: 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 accommodation of persons invited to see the play. Even in this case, an open space is left for the free admission of the people. Almost all the theatrical performances of the Chinese are held on the birthday or festival of some god, and are therefore of a religious character. They are particularly numerous in honour of the God of Fire-Also Kwán-shing Tai-ti, the Chinese God of War, died. Má Whang- shin, the God of Horses, worshipped to avert disease from horses, and by horseinen to become skilful in equestrian feats.-Sixth moon, twenty-fourth day.
WANG-LING-KWAN-SHING.-Wáng-ling-kwan-swing, a deified statesman, worship-
ped for the averting of punishment.-Sixth moon, twenty-sixth day.
T8IH-LUNG-BIEN-NU.-Tsih-kung-sien-nu, the female genii of the seven palaces descend; a festival observed by women, who worship these fairies to avert disease and get skill in domestic work.-Seventh moon, seventh day.
TI-TSANG-WANG.-A deified Buddhist, worshipped for remission of sins.-Seventh moon, thirtieth day.
SHAU-I. Or Burning-clothes festival. At this period, which lasts fifteen days, clothes made of various coloured papers are burnt, that they may so pass to the invisible world for the benefit of the deceased relatives. Prayers also are recited and food offered, chiefly for those who have been drowned at sea. This festival is much observed by the peoble of Fahkien province. The custom arises from a tradition respecting a young man who obtained admission to Tartarue, and brought his mother fro n thence.-Seventh moon, fourteenth day.
TSANG-FUN TSAI-SHIN.-God of Happiness and Wealth; placed in niches at the doors of shops. This deity, the Plutus of the Chinese, is seldom carved into an image, put a piece of paper is pasted on the back niche near the door; the shrine is called tsu pas tan, i.e., Hall of Collected Values.-Seventh moon, twenty-secon·1 day.
TU-CHING-HWANG-TAN.-Festival of the Municipal Deity of the City, worshipped by officers and people; he might be termed the Palladium Deity, as he has a temple in every inwalled city in China. On this day, the Cantonese resort to a temple on the White Cloud Hills, north of the city, in great numbers, to worship Chin-sien, a deified official of the Ming dynasty.--Seventh moon, twenty-fourth day.
SHE-TUH TA-WANG.-Great Prince of the Agricultural gods.-Eighth moon, second day.
SZ-MING TBAU-KIUN.—The Lord who orders the Prince of the Furnace; worship- ped to preserve the health of households.-Eighth moon, third day.
LUI-SHING TA-TI.-God of Thunder.-Eighth moon, fifth day.
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