Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 26

CHINESE FESTIVALS, FEASTS, AND OBSERVANCES

FOR THE YEAR 1890.

Ki-chau

1890.

Year.

Jan. XII. Moon.

4 10

14

The Great Cold.

20

13 14

23 24

Kang-jin Year.

I. Moon.

Festival of Lu Pàn, the patron saint of carpenters and masons. He is said to have been a contemporary of Confucius. Among the many stories related of his ingenuity, it is said that, on account of his father having been put to death by the men of Wu, he carved the effigy of one of the genii with one of its hands stretched towards Wu, when, in consequence, drought prevailed for three years. On being supplicated and presented with gifts from Wu, he cut off the hand, and rain immediately fell. On this day carpenters refuse to work.

Worship of the god of the Hearth at night fall.

The god of the hearth reports to heaven.

Fête of the Bodhisattva, Padma Vyuha. All the Buddhas descend to search

out the merits and demerits of mankind.

Chinese New Year's day. First day of the first moon.

Festival Chè Kung, a minor Chinese deity. The Emperor Kienlung died, 1796.

The Emperor Shunche died, 1662.

10 Fête day of the Spirits of the Ground.

21

1

22

23

27

30

2370

Feb.

2

13

3

14

4

15

19

20

21

Mar.

16

II. Moon.

1

23

Co

3

13

10

5

15

Fête day of Wen and Hü, deified warriors worshipped at Fatshán, the well

known manufacturing centre near Canton.

Death of the Emperor Taokwang, 1850.

Feast of Lanterns, Fête of Shang-yuen, ruler of heaven.

Fête of Shen and Ts'ai, the two guardians of the door. Auspicious day for

praying for wealth and offspring.

First day of the second moon. Fête day of the Supreme Judge in the Courts

of Hades.

Mencius born B.C. 371. Spring worship of the gods of the land and grain. Fête of the god of literature, worshipped by students.

Fête day of Hung-shing, god of the Canton river, powerful to preserve people

from drowning, and for sending rain in times of drought. Birthday of Lao Tsze, founder of Tauism, B.C. 604. The fête of Yoh Fei, A.D. 1103-1141. A canonized statesman of the Sung dynasty. He was a celebrated commander in the civil wars of the Sung Kao Tsung, and was an inflexible opponent of the Tartars of the Kin dynasty. As he would never consent to make peace with these "barbarians;" he was removed. from his command, committed to prison, and subjected to a trial which only served to demonstrate the falsity of the charges brought against him. Nevertheless his enemies succeeded in obtaining an Imperial mandate for his execution, which was forthwith carried into effect. This act has been attended by the undying execration of the historians and of the Chinese people.

Fête of Kwanyin, goddess of mercy; for a full description of the dogmas

connected with this goddess, sco Eitel's Hand Book, page 18. Tsing ling, or Tomb Festival.

9

19

18

28

April III. Moon.

19

1

First day of the third moon.

21

3

Fête of Hiuen T'ien Shang-ti, the supreme ruler of the Sombre heavens,

Peh-te, Tauist god of the North Pole.

* The Chinese 2nd moon is intercalary.