Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/250

242 people, how could it thrive? As a consequence of this theory, coffins are kept stored up in the houses, some being furnished with as many as ten or even more. From time to time a proclamation commanding interment is issued by the mandarin, and in the commotion which ensues the coffins are hurriedly buried almost anywhere.

When a family is resident in a place in which they have no family sepulchre, the coffin is frequently placed in the public temples, or in dead-houses erected for the purpose, a small sum being annually paid to the priest to burn incense before it. Coffins of such persons are also kept in their houses for years, it being not uncommon in Canton to have ten or more resting in the lararium.

Should the body have been buried on the return of the family to their native place, the remains are disinterred and placed in a covered jar while awaiting removal; under the title of potted ancestors they are well known to foreign residents in China.

It may be noticed that youths under twenty, unless married, have no tablet erected to them, and children under ten years of age no funeral procession.

Two or three days before burial another mass is performed by the Buddhist priests to "open the way," i.e. to prevent evil spirits from annoying the soul on its way to the grave.

The friends and relatives present white candles, incense, and paper-money. Some present the five sacrificial animals, fowl, fish, pork, duck, and rabbit: some, the three animals, fowl, fish, and pork. By others, pieces of blue flannel are given on which are written four eulogistic characters.

It is to be observed that the red slips of paper on the doors expressing felicity are now replaced by others of a blue colour with letters in white; blue being the recognized colour in such cases on all occasions of mourning.

Gold and silver paper, and paper rolled up to represent bales of cloth, is burnt. Wealthy families now celebrate a feast, while the poor find a fast to be better adapted to their resources.

Those presenting the five or the three animals worship at the side of the coffin, the arrangements being—visitors at the rear of the coffin,