Page 124 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

CHINESE PORCELAIN.
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considered it as belonging more or less to the mythical class
(see Nos. 267, 309).
As a charm over the door or somewhere on the front of the
"
honse. 562 : A lion a naked sword in
Doolittle, p. grasping
his month, and playing with a globe or ball with his fore feet ;
two lions, as though coming down two hills toward each other."
Elephant. — Grutzlaff, vol. ii. p. 221 : " Budhu is often
as surrounded with his some of whom,
represented disciples,
strange to say, have blue beards. Whilst seated cross-legged,
in a state of the monkey and do homage to
apathy, elephant
the saint, and acknowledge his power over the whole animal
creation."
Elephant in Chinese is pronounced in the same way as the
character for a prime minister, siang. The elephant is also an
emblem of strength, being one of the four animals representing
power or energy, the other three being the tiger, leopard, and
lion.
— "
Deer. Franks, p. 244 : The deer (lull) is also an emblem
of A white stag frequently accompanies the god of
longevity.
longevity. It sometimes carries in its mouth another emblem,
the A is also used as a of
fungus. deer, however, symbol
official emolument or prosperity, having the same sound as the
word for the latter (lull)."
Fox. — Franks, p. 244 : " The fox (1m) is considered,
especially in Japan, as a very mysterious animal. There are
several wonderful it in Mitford's ' Tales of
legends concerning
Old Japan.' It is said to attain the same age as the hare,
Avhen it is admitted to the heavens, and becomes the celestial
fox."
Doolittle, p. 228 : " This animal is worshipped by the
and other mandarins at this
viceroy, by high place (Fuhchau).
The fox is to have the control of the official seals
supposed
belonging to high offices of government. In the viceroy's
establishment is a room on the second of a
story building
which is devoted to the of the fox. It has no
worship image,
nor is there any picture of the animal worshiprjed. The
on arrival at his official residence after
viceroy, appointment,
to his room, kneels down, bows his head towards the
repairs
ground three times, and offers three cups of wine, three sticks
of incense, and two candles, in order to the
propitiate good-will