Page:Chinese Life in the Tibetan Foothills.djvu/177

Rh Yü shui (雨水), spring rain. At this season flowers are transplanted and trees grafted. Aged people, who need to chieh hsien (接限) do so with the greatest benefit, they believe, at this season. (See Sorcery.)

Ching chih (驚蟄), the time of moving insects. At this season snakes come forth from hibernation and bees emerge from their hives. The silk-worms' eggs are now taken on to the bodies or into the beds of people, to be hatched.

Ch‘un fên, spring equinox, a general holiday for farmers, called the master's gathering, 當家會. No one goes into his field or garden on that day lest he should be troubled with birds and insects through the year. On this date the king of birds is worshipped.

Ch‘ing ming, clear brightness. At this season, great crowds of people visit the graveyards, shang fên (上墳), and put flags on the graves. These flags are said to show the grave is still attended, but in some places their purpose is said to be to call the spirit. Incense and paper are burned, and food prepared at home is carried here and eaten picnic style. Many go to weep at the graves, but many more go for a day's pleasure, to drink wine and play at "Morra," and many become deeply intoxicated. It is believed that the departed ancestors present themselves and partake of the offered food. At the New Year and the 7th moon feast the spirits of the ancestors return to the home, but at this season, the living visit the habitations of the dead. In Kwan Hsien this feast is spoken of as lao wa (老鴉) hui, or crows' festival.

At this time the city god goes to relieve the orphan spirits shang ku (賞孤), by burning the cash paper. On his return journey, the district magistrate goes to meet the idol procession.

Han shih (寒食) chieh, the cold food feast. This is an ancient feast held the day preceding ch‘ing ming. Formerly no one lighted fires in the house on this day, in remembrance of a certain Chieh Chih t‘ui (介之推) who was a henchman of one of the princes of the Lieh Kuo period. When on one occasion the prince was about to die of starvation, Chieh Chih