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and, whether its life is to be good or bad, by that time its future is already sealed. In practice, however, the average Chinese does not resign himself entirely to fate. He also appreciates that success depends on ability, education and hard work (Waters, 1997, 103).*
Nevertheless, in research undertaken in the United States, it was concluded that American Chinese (not Whites) die significantly younger if they have a disease coupled with a birth year which both Chinese astrology and Chinese medicine calculate ill-fated. In such cases the more strongly a person believes in Chinese traditions the earlier he or she seems to die. Even with Westerners, in a different experiment, Caucasians who were given a placebo were convinced, later, that the medicine they had received had been effective (Doyle, 2000). Certainly both for Westerners and Chinese, much does appear to be in the mind.
But, returning to the first experiment and Chinese who are born in a certain year associated with an ailment or a special part of the body. A person born in a 'Fire' year (e.g. 1967), for instance, is supposed to be, according to Chinese belief, susceptible to tumours. A traditional Chinese is therefore liable to feel a sense of hopelessness and helplessness if he or she contracts a growth (Phillips, 1993).
There is little doubt there are, according to the Author's observations, many serious believers in tun fu among the New Territories' community just as there are others who do not take it seriously. Some, of course, take part because they are expected to do so by their family and other villagers. Most such functions are, after all, quite enjoyable social occasions.
Women's role
Although over 1,000 sat down for the basin-meal after the Pat Heung tun fu ceremony, as previously stated there were only just over 20 women (around two per cent). Those that did attend were generally female village committee members or government officials. No women, as can be seen from the photographs, played a major part in the actual Pat Heung tun fu ceremony itself, although many watched and burned joss sticks on their own or with members of their families. The old Chinese way has always been the 'Three Obediences.' A girl obeys her father; a wife obeys her husband; and a widow obeys her
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and, whether its life is to be good or bad, by that time its future is already sealed. In practice, however, the average Chinese does not re- sign himself entirely to fate. He also appreciates that success depends on ability, education and hard work (Waters; 1997,103). *
Nevertheless, in research undertaken in the United States, it was concluded that American Chinese (not Whites) die significantly younger if they have a disease coupled with a birth year which both Chinese astrology and Chinese medicine calculate ill-fated. In such cases the more strongly a person believes in Chinese traditions the earlier he or she seems to die. Even with Westerners, in a different experiment, Cau- casians who were given a placebo were convinced, later, that the medi- cine they had received had been effective (Doyle, 2000). Certainly both for Westerners and Chinese, much does appear to be in the mind.
But, returning to the first experiment and Chinese who are born in a certain year associated with an ailment or a special part of the body. A person born in a 'Fire' year (e.g. 1967), for instance, is suppose to be according to Chinese belief, susceptible to tumours. A traditional Chi- nese is therefore liable to feel a sense of hopelessness and helplessness if he or she contracts a growth (Phillips; 1993).
There is little doubt there are, according to the Author's observations, many serious believers in tun fu among the New Territo- ries' community just as there are others who do not take it seriously. Some, of course, take part because they are expected to do so by their family and other villagers. Most such functions are, after all, quite en- joyable social occasions.
Women's role
Although over 1,000 sat down for the basin-meal after the Pat Heung tun fu ceremony, as previously stated there were only just over 20 women (around two per cent). Those that did attend were generally female, village committee members or government officials. No women, as can be seen from the photographs, played a major part in the actual Pat Heung tun fu ceremony itself, although many watched and burned joss sticks on their own or with members of their families. The old Chinese way has always been the Three Obediences.' A girl obeys her father: a wife obeys her husband: and a widow obeys her
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