The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-04-02
CHINESE FOLK LORE.
Firm Belief Of the CelestiaIs In
Signs and Portents.
Dread of Unluclsy Words and Charms
Amulets-Many Instances of Super
stitious Beliefs and Practices
ReIated-The Wind and
Water Dogma.

Chlnese folk lore presents subject
both rich and varied. Much of it is
connected with idolatry, but in every
district are found legends and tradi-
tons 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
are careful to avoid all direct mention
of death. They will say 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 "coffin'' is
studiously avoided, and the euphonym
longevity boards" used. You may
look in vain for 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-
derer's hand" Bats are considered
omens of happiness, because the name
is similar in sound to the word for hap
plness. Their dread of unlucky words
is sometimes utilized. A certain fam
NY were greatly annoyed by crowds of
Chlnese 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
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 dragon devouring the sun
or moon, and gongs are beaten furiouslv
10 drive him away. The breaking of a
mirror indicates separation from ones
wile' and the destruction of an oil jar
portends even worse evils. Before sit
ung down they always fan the seat in
tne belief that if you sit down while it is
sui warm you will fall out with the
iast sitter. Sudden sneezing indicates
@ saat some one is talking i'll of YOU.
Mirrers OF a certain kind are said to
ioreshadow the future, and Jewels have
peen exhibited for few cash in which
us iuture was depicted to each observer
IN the shape of a beggar a mandarin,
merchant, or some other character.
Charms and amulets are much used
Large copper cash with lucky characters
inscribed are hung around children's
eons; tSe .sI, IN the court of the temple of
.he rive Genif' in Canton stands the
lower OF the tabooed bell. 1t was cast
apout Iour hundred years aco. and a
piophecy foretold it would strike the
ooom OF the city; in consequence of
Witch IL was carefully isolated, and all
s: mele forbidden to strike it. A rash
o'iieial, however, ordered it to be strnck
aho forthwith an epidemic broke ont
y winch over thousand youno chill.
uren died. Since then bells are worn
" Wh yhlldren as charms against disease.
W1en child meets with an accident
I; y nadly frightened the mother takes
n,ln 70 lhe spot where the misfortune
sn;r;. .tea ana presents offerings to the
sr,. ep'llls OF the place to secure his recoy-
esna ey. missionaries have had frequent
sHIs sAperience OF peculiar customs of this
s sort on one occasion, as two of them
aha Iele ascending hill in the interior TO
ouealn trr m view of the surrounding coun-
n ny' some rude boys from the VILLAGE
aear-oy pursued and booted at them In
than. osS insulting manner. They drove
th theln PACK with some severe rebuke. and
thought, no more of it. Asstbev came ,nss
wera mn , from the hilltop, however, they
Gsnt,n s met by throng of people evi-
sha ly much excited. In the midst of
'A' 'fo"a was woman holding a boy