The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-03-07
CHINESE FOLK LORE.
Firm Belief of the Celestials il
Signs and Portents.
Dread of Unlucky Words and Charms
AmuIets-Many Instances of super
stitious Beliefs and Practices
ReIated-The Wind and
Water Dogma.

Chinese folk lore presents subject
both rich and varied. Much of it is
connected with idolatry, but in every
district are found legends and tradi-
tionS peculiar to the place, with habits
and customs corresponding. They have
great dread of unlucky words, and on
certain days can not be induced to pro-
nounce the word for monkey" and
of death. They will say a man "has
passed from the body" or "has passed
from the world or ''has gone to
heaven" but dislike to say plainly he is
dead. The proper word for "cofiin" is
studiously avoided, and the euphonym
longevity boards used You may
look in vain for a coffin shop in plain
words, but places for the manufacture
of long life boards" are numerous.
The words ''hung-shanu mean liter
ally empty handed" but chair bearers
in calling to pedestrians to open the way
invariably say "kat-shau," lucky
hand" because the other expression
is exactly the same in sound as ''mur-
dClGl Hduu. DdlS dIc considered
Omens of happiness, because the name
is similar in sound to the word for hap
pinesS. Their dread of unlucky words
is sometimes utilized A certain fam
lily were greatly annoyed by crowds of
Chinese men who would gather on an
elevated platform overlooking their in
closure and stare at them. Remonstrance
was useless. So one of the gentlemen
bethought himself of this superstition
and posted up an unlucky word in a
conspicuous place on the side of his
house where it was sure to meet their
eyes. The effect was magical. The
men disappeared Immediately and no
further annoyance occurred.
They are firm believers in signs and
portents. A comet presages war, and
as strife is always going on in some
part of the broad empire they always
see this sign fulfilled Eclipses are
caused by a dragon devouring the sun
or moon, and gongs are beaten furiously
to drive him away. The breaking of Il
mirror indicates separation from ones
wife, and the destruction of an oil lar
portends even worse evils. Before sit
ting down they always fan the seat in
the belief that if you sit down while it is
still warm you will fall out with the
last sitter. Sudden sneezing indicates
that some one is talking i'll of you.
Mirrors of certain kind are said to
foreshadow the future, and Jewels have
been exhibited for few cash in which
his future was depicted to each observer
in the shape of beggar, a mandarin,
rnaTohort oh
Charms and amulets are much used.
Large copper cash with lucky characters
inscribed are hung around children
necks. In the court of the temple of
the Five Cent? in Canton stands the
tower of the tabooed bell. 1t was cast
about four hundred years ago and
prophecy foretold it would strike the
doom of the city; in consequence of
which it was carefully isolated, and all
were forbidden to strike it. A rash
official, however ordered it to be struck,
and forthwith an epidemic broke out
by which over thousand young chill
dren died. Since then bells are worn
by children as charms against disease.
When a child meets with an accident
or is badly frightened the mother takes
him to the spot where the misfortune
occurred and presents offerings to the
spirits of the place to secure his recov-
cry. Missionaries have had frequent
experience of peculiar customs of this
sort. On one occasion, as two of them
were ascending hill in the interior to
obtain a view of the surrounding coun-
try, some rude boys from the village
nearby pursued and hooted at them in
most insulting manner. They drove
them back with some severe rebuke, and
thought no more of it. AS they came
down from the hilltop, however, they
were met by throng of people evil
IDENTITY much excited. In the midst of
the crowd was woman holding a boy
by the hand. She accused them of
frightening him so that he was greatly
injured, and insisted on their presenting
her with piece from their suspenders,
with which to make some tea to restore
the boy to his senses.
A more peculiar case occurred in my
own experience. Having anchored my
boat near large town, the village boys