Page 137 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

TREES, FRUITS, FLOWERS. AND PLANTS 105

"
Doolittle, p. 395, Festival of the tombs : Usually every
house in Fuhchau and suburbs has a branch of willow intro-
duced under the tiling of the roof, and hanging down from
near the eaves and over the front outside door, so arranged as
to be readily seen from the street by the passer-by. At several
different places inside the premises, oftentimes, is another
branch of the willow suspended. The general idea respecting
probably is, that it is an omen of good family.
it to the Some
say that during the Tang dynasty, which ended more than
nine hundred and fifty years ago, Wang Chau selected the
willow as a badge of his followers, in a rebellion which he
the He ordered
planned against reigning emperor. secretly
those who were favourable to him to stick up a branch of
willow , so as to be under the roofs of their houses, and over
7
their front outside door. His soldiers were instructed not to
molest these houses. His rebellion is said to have commenced
on the day fixed by custom for the observance of this festival.
Some affirm that the willow branch is now annually used as
above described, in celebration or remembrance of the security
it gained to those who used it in this manner on the occasion
referred to, and indicates the peace and safety prevailing
within the house, whatsoever may be taking place without.
Others that the willow is to ward off wicked
say designed
and evil influences from the household. ... If these
spirits
see the willow on the roofs of the houses where
spirits they
desire to enter on a malicious errand, they are
immediately
taken with and abscond with haste."
fright,
The Buddhists consider that water, sprinkled by means of
a willow branch, has a effect.
purifying
180 " Siao Man. The name of one of the hand-
Mayers, p. :
maidens of the Peh who celebrated her slender
poet Ku-yih,
waist in the ' Willow-like, the waist of Siao
following line,
Man.' The also the same fanciful name to a
poet gave
and hence the has into
drinking-goblet, designation passed
poetical usage as a synonym for the wine-cup." P. 78 :
"Ki K'ang (a.d. 223-262). An ardent devotee of the study
of which he under a willow tree. The
alchemy, practised
willow referred to in as sacred to
is
frequently consequence,
this
pursuit."
The Oak.- "Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 280: "The oak