Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-11
BABIES IN CHINA.
Little Ones In the Celestial Empire Re
ceive Much Attention.


Babies orc made much of all the world
over, but in China especially thcy are SUR
rounded with host of mysterious super-
stitions and practices.
They are very comical to look at, these
children Of tho Cclestials. From the day
they are born they are put into II little
cont and trousers, with a wee cap to keep
the head warm and little shoes on their
foot In fact, they are tho exact counter
parts of their parents In miniature
a child Is not bathed until the third
day. II is not considered lucky to do so
before. When this has been done, charms,
consisting of lucky cash Smallest coin)
ana small silver toys arc attached by red
cord to the child's wrists and worn for
many months This is to keep away all
evil spirits.
Red strips Of paper with certain char
acters written on them are also nailed up
outside the door of baby's room to ward
off all evil influences.
These strips arc kept up until after tho
eleventh day, and it is usual for no stran-
ger TO enter until thcy have been removed.
When Chinaman has lost several chill
drcn, on the birth of another no is espc-
cially careful to guard It from evil spirits
who evidently have "A spite against him.
lie therefore invests in sword made out
OF cash and strung together with red cord.
This is hung UP by baby's bed as a
charm and is considered very effective
The child generally leaves the room at
the end of tho month, and on that day tho
head Is shaved for the first time.
Icannot learn that any great Importance
is attached to the giving of name to the
child. II is, as rule the grandfather or
IL r... H. IL. g..
who names it, but If they are dead it do
wolves on the mothers parents or some
elderly relation.
When baby has arrived at the mature
age OF months, the maternal grandmoth-
cr makes it n present Of most elaborate
chair with a table attached. There Is gem
orally feast on this day, and many friends
are invited.
A curious custom is observed when the
child is year old Again party is given
to celebrate tho event, and u large sieve Is
placed upon the table with various arti-
Giles laid upon it-books, writing implc-
mcntS, gold, silver, fruit, etc. Baby, at
tired in new rcd cloths with red cord braid
cd in his hair, is placed in the center of the
sieve, and according to what articles he
scizes first will his fortune be told. If he
takes up the money, of course he will be-
come n merchant and rich; if book. why,
he will hc learned and distinguish himself
in literature
In ever household there is an image of
the goddess Of children, who is supposed
to have the care of the little ones till they
grow up. Many offerings are made to
her, especially on the child's birthday
When child reaches the age Of lG years.
he is supposed to pass from the control Of
his particular goddess and ceremony is
gone through called the going out Of
childhood. - Aftcrward thank offerings
are made to the goddess of the children for
the care bestowed.
But to return tn our babies. As men
toned before, the head is shaved when "a
month old-somCtimcs entircly-but very
often II small patch is left at the crown of
the head and the hair plated into stiff
little cue, which stands out straight FROM
the head through little hole IN the cap.
1t it is "a little girl, her head is often not
shaved, but her hair plated into two plaits
above the ears Red cord is plated in
with the hair as a charm, for spirits can
not face red. hence baby's red clothes
Ladies Pictorial.