The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-30

For instance, we read that when the fe-
male members Of family remove into a
newly built house. they have lanterns
similar to those used in wedding cere-
monies fastened to the poles of the Sc
dan chair in which they make the jour
ney. These are considered an omen Of
good luck, and should removal be
made without these "lucky" lanterns.
all sickness, death, and misfortune that
might befall the family later on would
be attributed to the fatal omission.
Some of the "luck" lanternseare made of
white gauze, and have on onesside the
characters which stand for "a hundred
children" On the other side are those
which represent "a thousand grand
children" These are cut out of crimson
paper and pasted on the gauze and are
in common use in festivities of al kinds
Two such are hung on the front Of the
sedan chair in the return funeral pro-
cession of an elderly member of the
family, the candle being lighted even
though it is under the glare of the mid
day sun.
When Chinaman wishes to pat him
self on the back" for having done kind
and meritorious deed that doesn't cost
him anything, he hangs the lantern in
the street, which he keeps burning until
midnight. Again, native wishing to
make sure that he will live to good old
age, sets up lantern in an alley or dark
place, hoping thus to propitiate the god
of longevity, or he makes vow to kt ep
lantern burning a certain number of
years, should Buddha, and the doctor,
allow him to recover from a serious i'll
ness.
Amusement lanterns are used dur
ing certain festivals: these are suspep-
ded in front of numbers of houses. They
are covered with puzzles and riddles
written on slips of paper and fast, ned
on the lanterns. The correct guessers
are entitled t. prize, which is immed-
ately given by the one who sets up the
lanterns. The prizes consist of fans,
pencils, packages of tea, bunch of
fire crackers. and Chinese sweets. To
make ones way through the crowd
which surrounds an amusement"
lantern requires patience, perseverance,
skill, and an utter oblivion to the sense
of SMELL
Lanterns play an important part in
the celebration for destitute and unfor-
tunate spirits, that is, the spirits of those
VINO have died leaving no issue to wor-
ship at their graves, and to keep them
supplied with spirit food This festival
takes place during the seventh month of
the Chinese year. Long rows of red
lanterns line the streets as far as the eye
can reach; the round ones have the
name of the locality and the temple in
scribed upon them. In addition to
these there are sets of thirty six square
or fiat ones, set up at varying intervals
along the high way; the front of these
are decorated with colored representa-
tions of birds. beasts, insects, the king,
with his retainers; others show how
many ways there are OF dying pleasant
reminders of the inevitable. There are
also sets of ten, which represent differ
ent stages of existence.
The Feast of Lanterns'' in China
occurs from the 10th to the 18th of the
first month of their new year. This is a
regular carnival of lamps, when every
body is putting new ones 10 the place OF
the DID, Some of the lanterns are cubi-
cal, others round like ball, or circular,
square, Fat and thin. or oblong. or in
the shape of animals, quadrupeds and
bipeds. Some are so constructed as to
roll on the ground like a fireball. the
light burning inside meanwhile; others,
as cocks and horses, are made to go on
wheels; still others, when lighted. have
rotary or revolving motion of some of
their fixtures within, the motive power
being the heated air rising upwards.
Some are constructed principally of red
paper on which small holes are made in
lines, so as to form Chinese character
of suspicious import. The Sc when
lighted show the character very plainly.
Other lanterns are made in human shape
and are intended to represent children,
or some object of worship. as the God
dess OF Mercy with child 10 her arms.
Long ago there was ceremony called
"eating taro under the lanterns" All
children who ate taro under the Ian
terms at midnight were supposed, by
virtue of this ceremony. to become very
bright-eyed or clear-eyed. The king is
supposed to feel very kindly toward
such families as have no children. In
answer to petition presented to him,
he causes set of four lanterns to be
made each in the form of boy, with
certain symbols in their hands. These
are presented to the childless couple, and
accepted with thanks.