Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/233

Rh presents intended for the child. These take the form of silver neck trinkets, cap ornaments, silver and at times gold unicorns, &c. &c. The unicorn is believed to appear at the birth of sages, such as Confucius, and the presentation of its image is therefore exceedingly complimentary. Sometimes a present of money is given varying in amount from one hundred cash to a dollar. This is termed the "favourable market." The maternal grandmother, or, if she be too poor, the father on her behalf, presents the child with clothes, some cloth, a cap, wine, and a fowl. The presents are either wrapped in red paper or are accompanied by a red paper slip, on which is written, "Gifts sent at the end of the first month, long life, riches, and happiness."

A curious custom prevails in Canton known as "singeing the little pig"; this is effected by passing the child several times over a fire of charcoal, and is a prefatory step to the expulsion of fear. In performing this latter ceremony, which has for its object the warding off of evil influences as well as the rendering the child courageous, a jump of alum is taken by the mother, who, touching with it the child's forehead, eyes, breast, and shoulders, repeats a formula destined to ensure it against timidity. The alum is then put into the fire and is supposed or expected to assume the form of the creature which the child most dreads.

The idea of changelings exists in China as elsewhere. To avert the calamity of nursing a demon, dried banana-skin is burnt to ashes, which are then mixed with water. Into this the mother dips her finger and paints a cross upon the sleeping babe's forehead. In a short time the demon soul returns—for the soul wanders from the body during sleep and is free,—but, failing to recognise the body thus disguised, flies off. The true soul, which has been waiting for an opportunity, now approaches the dormant body, and, if the mark has been washed off in time, takes possession of it; but if not, it, like the demon, failing to recognise the body, departs, and the child dies in its sleep.

In families in which children have been born but have died young, the parents will swear that, if the spirit will preserve the child, they will fast for a certain number of months or years—perhaps fixing a