Page 122 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

go CHINESE PORCELAIN.

from the same from the
Eating sugar cock, and drinking
same are of union in their lot in
goblets, symbolical sharing
life."
"Middle Kingdom," vol. ii. p. 80, Birthday Ceremonies at
"
Ningpo : One part of the ceremony was to pass a live cock
through a barrel, which the assistants performed many times.
This act symbolized the dangers through which the child was
to in future life, and the had he as
pass priests prayed might
come out of them all as the cock had the
safely passed through
barrel."
Dog. — Doolittle, p. 230 : " An image or representation of
this animal is found in connection with several of
objects
It occurs on a used married
worship. painting extensively by
women as an of in their
object worship sleeping apartments.
It is called the ' or ' a of the heavens.' The
heavenly dog,' dog
picture represents a certain genius, surrounded by several
children. He is in the act of a with a bullet
shooting dog by
means of a bow, the dog being in the air much above the level
of the shooter and children. This dog in the heavens is
believed to eat the children of mortals, and this is
genius
famed for his skill in this bad A man
shooting dog. literary
has furnished the following explanation of the use of this
: Some women are born on which are
painting days represented
by the chronological or horary character, which means ' dog.'
These women after marriage, and before they give birth to a
child, must procure a picture of the genius shooting the
1 and the of incense and
heavenly dog,' worship it by burning
candles. The child then may be expected to live. ... In a
celebrated temple located outside of the east gate of the city
(Fuhchau) is an image of a large dog. It is currently reported
that if bread-cakes or biscuits made of wheat-flour are
placed
in the mouth of this image of a dog, and afterwards eaten
by children, they will prevent or cure the colic." P. 571 :
"The coming of a dog indicates future prosperity. Many people
believe that if a strange dog comes and remains with one it is
an omen of good to his family, indicating that he will become
more wealthy."
Boar.—" Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 254 : " The wild boar
occurs in the extensive region lying between Siam and China,
and also in the mountains in the provinces. They are quite