Page 76 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

CHINESE PORCELAIN.
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Emblems and Chakms.
The following, taken from Doolittle, p. 383, shows from
what cause of the emblems in common use
slight many among
the Chinese have arisen : —
"A very singular custom prevails, observed by many
families which have had a daughter married since the fifteenth
day of the first month of the previous year, in case she has not
birth to a male child. A
given present of several articles is
sent to her by her own parents, or by her brothers if her
are deceased, on a between the fifth and
parents lucky day
the fourteenth of the first month. The articles sent are like
these A paper lantern, sometimes representing the goddess
:
of mercy with a child in her arms [see No. 196], and having an
inscription upon it ; oysters in an earthen vessel ; confectionery
made from a kind of rice parched and prepared with molasses ;
ten of the loose-skinned ; and
oranges species, wood, and rice
of a name. and
vegetables particular Now, all these, siugly
to the ' We wish soon
collectively, signify daughter, you may
give birth to a son.' The oranges when interpreted mean in
the connection ' speedily,' because the colloquial name for this
kind of orange is precisely like a Chinese character which
means ' The in the earthen vessel mean,
speedily.' oysters
'May a younger brother come,' the colloquial term for
'
' of the same sound as the term '
oysters being younger
brother,' and the common name for the vessel sent being the
same as the word for ' come,' or ' has come.' The name for
the confectionery is the same in sound as one of the common
for ' elder * have
appellations brother,' meaning, May you
more than one child,' so that one shall be an * elder brother.'
The indicate the desire that her be
vegetables posterity may
numerous, because their name has nearly the same sound as a
term which means 'grandchildren and children.' The inscrip-
'
tion on the lantern means, May the goddess of mercy present
"
you with a son.'
" "
Middle 272
Kingdom," vol. ii. p. : In order to ward off
malignant influences, amulets are worn and charms hung up
by persons of all ranks."
The emblems of occur on
longevity very frequently porce-
lain, and take a great variety of forms, all symbolizing good