Page 214 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

other a processional or ceremonial fan. The Rishi
Tung Wang-Kung is also frequently attended by two

boys, one of whom carries a peach, the other bears

two rolls suspended from a long staff.
Reference has already been made to the Kilin or

Ky-lin, which is at once a symbol of good govern-
ment and of longevity, its term of life being supposed
to extend to a thousand years. Mr. Franks notes

that most of the animals commonly but erroneously

called Ky-lin are other monsters, especially the fabu-

lous lion of Korea, the true Ki-lin having the body

and hoofs of a deer, the tail of a bull, and a single horn

on his forehead.

The deer (luK} is also an emblem of longevity.

A white stag frequently accompanies the God of

Longevity, as noted above. It sometimes carries in

its mouth another emblem, the fungus (to be spoken
Aof presently).
deer, however, is also used as a

symbol of official emolument or prosperity, having

the same sound as the word for the latter (luK}.

The hare (til} is sacred to the moon, where the

Taoists believe it to live, pounding the drugs that

form the elixir of life. It is stated to live a thou-

sand years, and to become white when it has reached
the first five centuries. The hare, often miscalled a

rabbit, occurs on porcelain both as decoration and as

a mark.

The fox (hu} is considered a very mysterious ani-

mal. It is said to attain the same age as the hare,

when it is admitted to the heavens and becomes the

" celestial fox." It is used, but not frequently, in

the decoration of porcelain as an emblem of longevity.
The tortoise (kwri\ was also regarded as a super-

natural animal and its shell was used in divination.

164