The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-16
: CHINESE BABIES.
In Dress They Are the Exact Coun-
terparts of Their Parents.

Babies are made much or all the
world over, but in China especially they
are surrounded with host OF myster-
ious superstitions and practices.
They are. very comical to look at,
these children of the Celestials; from
the day they are born they are put in-
to a. little coat and trousers, with
wee cap to keep the head warm, and
little shoes on their feet. In fact. they
are the exact counterparts of their par
ents in miniature.
A child is not bathed till the third
day; it is not considered lucky TO do SO
before. When this has been done,
charms. consisting of lucky cash
(smallest coin) and small silver toys.
are 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, withcertain char.
acters written on them, are also nailed
up outside the door of baby's room, 10
ward of all evil influences.
These strips are kept up until after
the eleventh day. and IL Is usual for no
stranger to enter until they have been
removed.
When a Chnaman has lost several
children on the birth OF another he 10
especially careful TO guard It from evil
spirits, who evidently have spite
against him. He, therefore. invests In
a sword made out Of cash. and strung
together with red cord.
This Is hung by the baby's bed as q
charm, and is considered very enec-
tive.
The child generally leaves the room
at the end of the month, and on that
day the head is shaved for the first
time.
cannot learn that any great imports
ance is attached to the giving OF
name to the child. II is, as a rule. the
grandfather or grandmother on the
fathers side for choice who names IL,
but If they aresdead. II devoives on the
mothers parents, or some elderly rela-
ton.
When baby has arrived at the mature
ace of four months, the maternal grand
mother makes II q present OF most
elaborate chair with table attached.
| There is generally a feast on this days
and many friends are invited.
A curious custom is observed when
| the child is a year old. Again party
| is given to celebrate the event, and q
| large sieve is placed upon the table
| with various a<sicles laid upon tt
books, writing implements. gold. silver,
| fruit, etc. Baby. attired In new req
cord braided in his hair, is placed IN
Il =
| to what articles he seizes first Will MS
| fortune be told If he takes up the
| money, of course. he will become a
| merchant and rich; IL book, why. ne
| will be learned and distinguish him.
| self in literature.
| In every household there Is an inn
| age 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 a child reaches
| the age of 16 years he is supposed to
pass from the control of this particular
| goddess. and a ceremony Is gone
| through called the going out OF child :
| hood" Afterward thank offerings arc
made to the goddess Of the children for
| the care bestowed.
But to return to our babies. AS !
mentioned before. the head is shaved
when a month old--sometimes entirely,
but very often a small patch Is left al
the crown of the head. and the hair
plated into stiff little queue. which
stands out straight from the head
through little hole in the cap.
II IL is little girl, her head is o1ten
not shaved, but her hair placed In two
plaits above the ears. Red cord is
plated in with the hair as a. charm,
for spirits cannot face red-nence
babys red clothes.-Ladies' Pictoriai.