Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1885-03-23
CHINESE FOLK LORE,
Belief of the CelestiaIs I'm Signs and
POrfentR.

| LIB. c. Henry in National Republican,
Chinese folk lore presents subject both
rich and varied. Much of it is connected
with idolatry, but in every district are found
| legends and traditions peculiar to the place,
| with habits and customs corresponding.
They have great dread of unlucky words,
and on certain days cannot be induced to
pronounce the word for F'monkey," and are
careful to avoid ell direct mention of death.
They will say a man 'has passed from the
body" or E'passed from the world" or ''has
gone to heaven" but dislike to say plainly lie
is dead. The proper word for. ''cof1in' is
studiously avoided and the euphonym long
evity boards" used. You may look in vain
for coffin shop in plain words, but places
for the manufacture of ''long life boards
are numerous.
Their dread of unlucky words is sometimes
utilized. A certain family greatly an
noyed by crowds of Chinese men who would
gather on an elevated platform overlooking
their enclosure and stare at them. Remon-
STRANGE was useless. So one of the gentle
men bethought himself of this superstition
and posted up an unlucky word in a coDspic-
uous position on the side of his house where
it was sure to meet their eyes. The effect
was magical. The men disappeared imme
diately and no further annoyance occurred.
They are firm believers in signs and por-
tents. A comet presages war, and as strife
always going on in some part of the broad
empire they always see this sign fulfilled.
Eciipses are caused by dragoon devour
ing the sun and moon, and gongs are beaten
furiously to drive them away The breaking
of q mirror indicates separation from ones
wife, and the destruction OF all oil jar por
tends avilS Rafora SitfinO down
they always fan the seat in the belief that if
you sit down while it is still warm you will
iall out with the last sitter. Sudden sneez-
ing indicates that some one is talking i'll of
you. Mirrors of a 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, mandarin, merchant or some
other character.
Their belief in spirits is notorious, and
haunted houses frequent. Elves, fairies,
brownies, imps and other supernatural
beings said to abound. They believe
in spirit wrappings, planchette, alchemy,
mesmerism; diyination of various kinds by
bamboo slips, by images, by sonnambulism,
chiromancy and palInistry. Branches OF
certain plants are hung over the doors to
ward Off evil influences, and cast swords
are hung inside their bed curtains as protec-
ton against nocturnal spirits. Their roads
are CIOOhHu, ibtlCl dDOullu III Sfd1
corners to obstruct the approach of spirits
which delight in broad straight
ways. Tie houses on street are never built
in line, but present a zigzag appearances, as
some project and others are set in. This is
co check the progress of the spirits Corner
houses are avoided because their position af
fords such facility for the evil spirits to
sweep around them. A sharp roof indicates
that only barber shop will prosper opposite.
The entrance to house IS never direct. A
screen in front necessitating turn to the
right or left, and the arrangement of the
open court inside, with it's flowers and stands.
shows cireuitous path to the inner apart
ments.
Inc home of the dragon is in the water, in
whose winding course he delights. Tracing
the water to its source we come to the meet
ing place of the dragons-the fountain head
Of the influences that control human destiny;
hence over the gates of many villages may
be seen the words ''Ui-Lung," meeting of
dragons" :" indicating the propitious site of
the town. The dragon is all-important. lie
mas power to give prosperity to the land, to
bring glory to the king and honor to the
sage and is the symbol of all superiority
and success in social, political and moral af-
fairs Hence it appears that the water
courses as the haunts of dragons are of the
first Importance, their source, direction or
conjunction with each other, and he'inhuen-
ces resulting, being determined by the geo
mancer's compass. If, for instance, i'll the
case of grave, the water flows past GER
tain point of the compass, the descendants
will be prosperous; if it passes at another
angle distress will overtake them.
The water in front of tomb should never
be stagnant, but always running i'll stream.
Riches and rank are supposed to flow capri
ciously from point to point, hence so much
depends on the course of the water as it
flows by the tomb. The cutting of roads OF
the building of bridges or dams may alter
the course of the water and disturb the nat
uraI influences of the place, and man may
be ruined in fortune by the displacement OF
one hundred weight of earth behind the
grave of his grandfather.
In building houses, ancestral halls, tenn
pies and laying the foundation of villages,
the service of the geomancer is absolutely
necessary to secure the proper conjunction of
good influences In front of a village, for
instance, straight road leading directly out
of it, with people going and coming, or
small stream flowing in straight course
from it, are said to dissipate the good iniu-
snces. An open-air altar, a bamboo grove or
groves in front, and to have the left side low
and the right high are all unlueky signs.
A Spaef,non American Row