Page 81 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

SYMBOLS, EMBLEMS, AND CHARMS. 49

husband of a beautiful girl, who, after marriage, he observed
wearing a patch upon her eyebrow, and on making inquiries
he found she was the identical person whose union with him
had been foretold. This legend, recounted under the T'ang
dynasty, is probably the earliest embodiment of the Chinese
belief in the existence of an invisible link the red
(typified by
between bride and and in the
cord) bridegroom, expressed
'
saying, Matches are made in heaven, and the bond of fate
"
is forecast from the moon.'
— "
Binding Babies' Weists. Doolittle, p. 86 : Sometimes,
however, a ring of red cord or of red tape, with or without
some cash or toy (such as small silver miniature seal, bell,
and is worn for several months, or even
drum, pestle, mallet),
a year. When soiled, the tape or cord is exchanged for another
" "
clean one." Marriage Ceremony," p. 60 : Two singularly
shaped goblets, sometimes connected by a red silk or red
cotton cord several feet are also the table."
long, put upon
Out of these the bride and a mixture of wine
bridegroom sip
and honey, the goblets remaining tied during the ceremony.
Red Things.— Doolittle, p. 560 : " As a general remark,
red are believed to be serviceable in evil
things keeping away
To mark the or
spirits. stops pauses in the Chinese classics
with red ink, it is thought, will keep away such spirits from
the one who is using the book ; so can red cloth or red strings
aid in protecting one from them. Parents oftentimes put a
of red cloth or in the of their little
piece upon pockets boys,
in order to mutilation evil often
prevent by spirits. They
have red silk braided in the cues of their children, in order
to secure them from being cut off by the spirits." P. 561 :
"
Connected with the building of houses, various methods have
been devised to prevent accidents and keep away malicious
spirits. Among these may be mentioned the following : A
of red on which four characters have been
large piece paper,
written in black ink, is on the
generally pasted ridge-pole.
These characters refer to a certain star, and indicate its
This charm fear of evil influences
presence. dispels among
the workmen."
Yellow Paper. — Doolittle, p. 560 : " Charms of yellow
paper are very numerous. Sometimes a picture of an idol is
or written this
printed upon paper, or some Chinese characters,
E