INDEX.

A

Ages Facial, the, 63

Ali Baba’s Cave, its Chinese Representative, 134

Almanacks, 8

Amulets, extensive Use of, 55

Amulets,, usually Metal or Jade, 56

Animals Endowed with the Gift of Speech, 101

Animals,, Suckling Children, 142

Apparition at Shanghai, 73

Apparition,, of a Man Drowned in the S.S. Fusing, 73

Apparition,, at Foochow, 74

Arrows fired at Tidal Waves as Charms, 51

Artemisia, Leaves of the, used as Charms, 51

Aryan Cradle of Superstitions, 6

Ass, the, in Chinese Fable, 148

Astrological Beliefs common to all Classes in China, 2

B

Baboon, Cambodian, curious Belief respecting, 113

Bamboo, anti-demoniacal Powers of, 47

Bamboo,, Slips, Divination by, 62

Bats, Ominous, 34

Bells, Auguries from, 37

Bells,, Great, at Canton and Peking, 37

Bells,, on Clothing Worn as Amulets, 55

Bells,, of Peking, Legend of the Casting of the, 133

Betrothal, Ceremonies of, 15

Birds, Appearance of as Omens, 33, 34

Birds,, Trained to Aid in Divination, 63

Birds,, the Grateful, 136

Birth, Ceremonies observed after, 13

Birth,, Hour and Day of, 8

Bittern and Mussel, Fable of the, 147

Blind Man and Lame Man, Fable of the, 151

Blood Bread, Sold at Peking, 67

Blood,, from Trees, &c., 127

Blood,, Human, as Medicine, 66, 68

Blood,, Human in Castings, 133

Blood,, of Unborn Infants, efficacious for Magic, 68

Borrowing Trouble, Fable about, 150

Bread, Superstitions connected with its use, 140

Bride-Cake, Bread, 18

Bridges, Curious Superstitions concerning, 70

Brownies, Chinese, 99

Buildings, Charms affixed to, 48

Burial Ancient, in Position of Fœtus, 24

C

Candle Omens, 17

Candles at Burials, 21

Candles,, Bridal, 17

Candles,, Burning Green in the presence of Ghosts, 73

Cannibalism, Chinese, 67

Cannon, Fired at the Peiho to Diminish a Flood, 46

Carp, Supernatural, 92

Cash in Dead Men’s Sleeves, Divination by, 21

Cash,, Lucky, as Amulets, 55

Cash,, Swords, 48

Cat and Mice, Fable of, 147

Cat,, to pass over a Corpse, Ominous, 20

Cats and Witchcraft in China, 90

Cats,, Images of, on Houses, 48

Cats,, Unlucky, 33

Chair, Sitting in a Warm, Ominous of a Quarrel, 38

Characts or Written Charms (specimen of), 52, 55

Charms Paper, Burnt and the Ashes Drank in Tea, &c., 54

Charms,, their extensive Use, 45

Cheap Literature, Aid to Preservation of Folk-lore, 6

Chêng Chêng-shan, Caves of, 133

Chêng-hwang, the, 77

Chiao, the Chinese, 127

Chiromancy, Chinese, 63

Chopsticks used at Marriages, 16

Chow Dynasty, Mythical Origin of the, 4

Christians, alleged Powers of as Exorcists, 89

Chrysostom St., his Protest against Superstitions, 2

Chu-ko Liang, Legend of the Tomb of, 135

Cinnabar, Children Stained with, as an Antidote to Sickness, 70

Classics, Chinese, Copies of as Charms, 51

Classics,, Divinations by the, 62

Clay Figures used by Wizards, 83

Clothes, Burial, 20

Cocoa-Nut, Fanciful Legend Concerning its Origin, 138

Cocoa-Nut,, Shell, Virtues of Vessels made of, 138

Cocks, Images of White, used at Marriages, 16

Cocks,, Superstitions as to, 22

Coffin, Purchase of, during Life, 20

Coffin,, Unlucky to Meet a, 38

Coins Placed under Door Sills, 48

Comets, Portents from, 35

Confucius, Legend of the Tomb of, 136

Confucius,, on Omens, 39

Corpse, Blood from Mouth, &c., of, 71

Cosmical Phenomena in China, Records of, 116

Crabs, used for Exorcism, 11

Cradle, Superstitions as to Rocking an Empty, 12

Crane, Paper Image of, used 60 Days after Death, 25

Crooked Paths in Gardens, Reasons of, 35

Crow, Ominous Character of the, 33

Crows and Owls, Fable of the, 149

D

Days, Lucky and Unlucky, 28, 31

Dead, Implements Anciently made for the, 72

Dead Bodies, Position of, Reversed before Coffining, 21

Death, Most Common Hours of, 27

Death,, Superstitions concerning, 20

Demon Flies and Cash, 86

Demon,, Aid to Become Rich, 86

Demons, Chinese, 84

Demons,, Head of the, 84

Demon Imprisoned in Jars, 131

Demon,, Power to Cause Disease, 85

Demon,, People Possessed by, 85

Demon,, Story of Possession at Chefoo, 85

“Devil Dancers” Native, 87

Devil,, How Consulted, 88

Disturbing Graves, Dislike to, 26

Divination and Spiritualism, 56

Divination,, by the Leaves of the Juniper, &c., 63

Divination,, like the Sortes Virgilianæ, 62

Divining Twig, the Chinese, 57

Dogs, Demon, Transformed, 132

Dogs,, Hair of as Charms, 51

Dogs,, Strange, Lucky, 33

Dragon, Chinese, Description of the, 108

Dragon,, Worship Domestic, 108

Dragon,, Legend of the, and A-Tseung, 109

Dragon,, The Embodiment of the Storm Spirit, 110

Dragon,, St. George and the, Chinese Legend of, 110

Dragons, Ghosts of, 92

Dragons,, Derived from Serpents, 107

Dragons,, Worship, 107

Dragons,, and Waterspouts, 127

Dragon’s Water, near a Grave, 25

Drawings of Animals and Reptiles used as Charms, 51

Dreams, Superstitions concerning, 41

Dreams,, Japanese Beliefs in, 43

Dreams,, of Deceased Relatives, Ominous, 77

Dress, Article of belonging to a Child’s Father, a Charm, 13

Drowned Bodies, Discovery of, 64

Duck, Bamboo and Duck’s Egg used 60 Days after Death, 24

Duck Quacking, Unlucky, 33

E

Earth, Scattered on Coffin at Burials, 25

Eclipses, Superstitions about, 36

Eggs, how Prevented from Breaking when Boiled, 70

Eggs,, Setting an even number of, 35

Eitel, Rev. Dr., on Fable of Hwang-ho, 4

Elixir of Life, the, 97

Elves and Brownies, Chinese Ideas of, 97

Evil Eye, the, 49

Exorcists, Christian and Pagan, in China, 89

Eyebrows, People with Joined, their Luck, 38

Eyelids, Involuntary Movement of, an Omen, 38

F

Fable, the Earliest Chinese, 147

Fables, their Use in China, 146

Fables,, Collections of, 146

Fairies Embodying the Powers of Nature, 100

Fairies,, Chiefly Attributed to Mountainous Localities, 97

Fairies,, Chinese usually Beautiful, 98

Fairy Women, 99

Fairy,, Flies and Bees, 100

Feet, Bridegroom Requested to Rub Bride’s, 16

Female Apparitions before Death Unknown, 26

Fêng-Shuey, 65

Finger, Shaking of, an Omen, 38

Fire Crackers, as Charms, 46

Fire,, Legend of the God of, 121

Fire,, Superstitions as to spread of, 123

First-foot, on New Year’s Day, 2

First-foot,, The, Superstitions concerning, 31

First Words Heard after Making a Resolution, Ominous, 39

Fishing Nets as Charms, 57

Five, the Number, 40

Flesh, Human, Curative Powers of, if Eaten, 68, 66

Flowers in the Unseen World, Representing Women, 11

Folk-lore, Origin of Term, 6

Food, &c. Provided for the Dead, 24

Foot-measure used at Marriages, 16

Four, a Lucky Number at Marriages, 17

Fowl, Black, Ghost of, 92

Fox, the, and Demonology, 92–96

Fo-yeung-lak, Branches Hung over Doorways, 47

Fruit, Dried, Used at Marriages, 16

Frog in the Moon, the, 118

Funerals, Unlucky to Meet, 38

G

Gardner, Mr. C. T., Notes by, 25

Garlic Bulbs, Charms against Sickness, 70

Geese and Tortoise, Fable of the, 149

Genœva Root Stories, 142

Genii, how Summoned, 81

Genii,, Chinese Description of, 81

Genii,, The Taoist Definition of, 81

Genii,, Celebrated, 82, 83

Genii,, Magic Powder of the, 82

Genii,, Isles of the, 82

Ghosts, The False Ghost at Chinkeang, 71

Ghosts,, The Chinese Terms for, 72

Ghosts,, Shapeless Form of, 72

Ghosts,, Every-day Appearance of, 72

Ghosts,, Of women who Die in Child-bed, 74

Ghosts,, Of Suicides, 74

Ghosts,, Pranks of, 76

Ghosts,, Accompanied by Celestial Police, 77

Ghosts,, Low Intelligence of, 77

Ghosts,, Pauper, 77

Ghosts,, Exorcising (A Chinese Farce), 78

Ghosts,, Of Idols, 78

Ghosts,, Free to Revisit the Earth, 78

Ghosts,, Talismans Against, 79

Ghosts,, Animal, 79

Goats used to Discover Drowned Bodies, 64

Goblets, Bridal, 17

“God,” Chinese Equivalent of the Word, 155

Goddess of the Moon, The, 117

Good Deeds Rewarded, 136

Gorges, Female Spirits of the, 132

Gourd Shells as Charms, 51

Grass, Used to Frighten Demons, 11

Graves, Lucky Sites for, 25

Gymnastics, Practice of, Conduces to Immortality, 69

H

Hainan Straits, Reputed Home of Sea Monsters, 115

Hair Combing, when Unlucky, 41

Hair,, on Body, Excess of, Ill-omened, 38

Hare in the Moon, Legend of the, 118

Hare,, Superstitions concerning the, 64

Haunted Houses, Stories of, 75

Heart, Jumping Sensation of, an Omen, 38

Heart,, Name Engraved on the, 136

Hell, Gate of, near Têng-chow, 130

Hens Crowing, Unlucky, 33

Hercules’ Cup, Chinese Version of, 132

Honey at Sicilian Marriages, 17

Hooks, Silver, Worn as Amulets, 55

Horses and the King, Fable of the, 150

Horse’s Hoof, a Charm, 48

Household Tales, Grimm’s Opinion of, 145

Hwang-ho, Fable of the, 4

Hwang-ho,, Fairy Lake, Source of the, 133

I

Idols Antagonistic to Ghosts, 75

Images of Animals and Reptiles used as Charms, 51

Indian Fables Translated into Chinese, 148

Invocations used by Spirit Media, 60

Iron-plates Sunk in Rivers as Charms, 47

Islands, Legends concerning Formation of, 123

J

Jars Used to Imprison Demons, 131

Jasper Lake, the, 99

Jewels and the Priest, Fable of the, 131

Judgment of Solomon, Chinese Versions of, 139

Juniper Tree Leaves Used for Divination, 63

K

Kelpies, Chinese, 100

Kettle, Spout of, must not be Turned Outwards, 65

Key of a Dyke Water Gate used as a Charm, 47

Kingsmill, T. W., on Mythical Origin of Chow Dynasty, 4

Knife, Absurd Tale of a, at a Wedding, (note), 19

Knife,, Cash as Charms, 57

Knife,, used to Kill a Fellow Creature, a Charm, 51

Knots “Auspicious,” in Swathing the Dead, 21

Korrigan, Resemblance to Chinese Elves, 132

Ku-tu or Magic Water, 62

Kwang-sui-fu, Legend of the Cave of, 134

Kwʻen-lun Mountain, 133

Kwʻen-lun,, Mountains Peopled with Fairies, 97

L

Lake Man, Supernatural Origin of, 126

Lake,, of Gems, the, 97

Lame Man and Blind Man, Fable of the, 151

Lamps and Lanterns at Marriages, 17

Last Piece left on a Dish, 65

Legends of Locality, 129

Lewchewan Legend of the Fairy Dress, 140

Lightning, Beliefs concerning, 121

Lin-lu Mountain, Legend of, 132

Lions, Images of, Outside Houses, 48

Loadstone, Legends regarding the, 135

Locks, Silver, Worn as Amulets, 55

Lots, Method of Casting, 39

Luther, Superstition of, 3

M

Magicians, Noted, 83

Magpies, Ominous, 33

Manna, Chinese Fall of, 128

Mao-shan (Magicians) the, 83

Marriage of Emperor, Superstitious Gifts at, 7

Marriage,, Superstitions regarding, 14

Marriages, Days Suitable for, 15

Mayers, on Cult of God of Literature, 4

“Measures,” Worshipping the, 13

Media, Spiritualistic Chinese, 60

Mercury and its Preparations, Virtues of, 139

Mermaid, China the Original Home of the, 114

Mermaids, Chinese Legends of, 115

Mesmerism, Chinese, 62

Meteors, as Auguries, 120

Mice and Cat, Fable of, 147

Mirages, Beliefs about, 120

Mirrors, Superstitions concerning, 35–45

Mirrors,, used at Marriages, 16

Money as Amulets, 55

Monkeys Reputed to Steal Women, 100

Monster of the Nanking Pagoda, 114

Moon, Beliefs concerning the, 115

Moon,, Cakes, 28

Moon,, Goddess of the, Legend of, 101

Moon,, Obscured, Hakka Superstition concerning, 32

Moon,, Snow from the, 118

Mountains, Presiding Demons and Divinities of, 123

Mourning Colours of Different Nations, 26

Murdered People, Omens from Closed or Open Hands of, 71

Murdered,, People, Blood from Mouth, &c., 71

Murderers Haunted by Ghosts of Persons Murdered, 75

Mussel and Bittern, Fable of the, 147

N

Nails, Coffin, as Charms, 48

Name, People of the Same, Forbidden to Marry, 19

Nanking Pagoda, Monster of the, 114

Nails, Specks on, 39

New-Born Children must not be near Silkworms, 71

New,, Year’s Day, Lucky for Certain Acts, 31

“Noon Day Tea” Cakes as Charms, 70

Numbers, Even, Fortunate, 41

Numbers,, Lucky, 39

Numerical Categories, Mayers’ List of, 40

O

Oil Jar, Superstition as to Upsetting an, 33

Old Man in the Moon, Attributes of, 117

Order of Subjects dealt with, 4, 5

Owls and Crows, Fables of the, 149

Owls,, Ominous, 34

Ox, Green, Ghost of the, 92

P

Pa Kwa, the, 50

Palm, Itching of, 39

Palmistry, Divination by, 63

Paper Slips, Divination by, 63

Penelope, Story of, Chinese Tales Resembling, 141

Phœnix, the Chinese, 111–112

Philosopher’s Stone, the Chinese, 139

Physiognomy, Auguries from the, 63

Pigs, White, and “Carrying Coal to Newcastle,” 147

Planchette, the Chinese, 57

Plum Tree, its Powers over Spirits, 47

Poi-tʻou, the “Cup Traveller,” 132

Portents or Omens, 33

Possession, Chinese Stories of Demon, 86

Pregnant Animal, Passing over a Corpse, Superstition about, 20

Proverbs, Coincidence of Chinese and European, 151

Proverbs,, Business and Social, 152

Proverbs,, Use of the Word “Heaven” in, 155

Pumelo Leaves used for Divination, 63

Punch and Judy, Legendary Origin of, 136

Purgatory, Gate of, 129

Q

Quicksilver, its alleged Properties, 139

Quilt, used to Toss Cakes at Marriages, 18

R

Radicals, Story, 143

Rain God, the Chinese, 124

Rain,, Priests, 125

Rainstones, Ancient Chinese, 69

Red Cloth and Silk as Charms, 51

Red,, Cloth Placed on Threshold of Bridegroom’s House, 18

Red,, Cords used for Infants, 12

Red,, Paper for Charms, 54

Red,, Silk Threads, used at Betrothals, 15

Ridge Poles, Charms attached to, 48

Rip Van Winkle, Chinese Versions of, 98

Roof, Holes Made in to Allow Egress of Soul, 2–22

S

Sabbath, the Chinese, Origin of, 27

Sago Palm Leaves, Charms against Sickness, 70

Salt, Thrown into Water when a Person has been Rescued from Drowning, 64

Sampans, Red Cloths Hung on, at Birth of Children, 11

Sand Spread on Table, Divination by, 58

Sand,, Strewn on Floor to Discover if Spirit of the Dead Revisits a Place, 77

Scales, Money, used at Marriages, 16

Sea-Serpents, Chinese, 113

Sedan-chair and Crane used Sixty days after Death, 24

Sedans, Marriage, Paintings on, 16

Self-sacrifice for the Public Good, 134

Serpents, Story from Foochow, 105

Serpents,, Worship, 105

Serpents,, Flesh, Healing Qualities of, 103

Serpents,, as River Gods, 106

Serpents,, Combat between Enchanted, 104

Serpents,, Precious Stones in Heads of, 106

Serpents,, Power of Assuming Human form, 103

Serpents,, Dragons, &c., 102

Serpents,, Wide-spread Legends concerning, 102

Seven, the Number, Superstitions concerning, 27, 38, 40

Seven,, the Number, in connection with Burials, 24

Sex of Children, how Foretold, 10, 11

Shan Ching Kwei (Magicians), 83

Shan-sao, or Chinese Brownies, 99

Shears used at Marriages, 16

“Shên of Offence,” the, 78

Shiu-hing, Legend of, 130

Shoes, Superstitions concerning, 11, 15, 18

Shooting Stars, Omens from, 36

Sieve, used to Purify Clothes before Marriage, 16

Silkworms, Pregnant Women not Allowed to Approach, 71

Sitting on the Dress of Bride or Bridegroom, an Omen, 19

Snake, Absurd Tale of at a Marriage (note), 19

Snakes in Chinese Fables, 148

Sneezing, an Omen, 38

Solomon, Judgment of, its Chinese Version, 139

Somnambules or Media, Chinese, 59

Spirit Media, Deity Invoked by, 61

“Spirit,” use of the Word in Chinese, 102

Spiritualism and Spirit-Rapping in China, 57

Spittle, Lustration by, 52

Stars, Abodes of Supernatural Beings, 119

Stars,, Ominous, 36

Stent, on Chinese Legends, 3

Stones, Legends concerning Human Beings Metamorphosed into, 128

Stones,, Possessed by Spirits, 96

Storm Fiends, Chinese, 97

Straw Tied Round a Pot Prevents Boiling over, 70

Styx, Chinese, the, 24

St. George and the Dragon, Chinese Version of, 111

St.,, Swithun’s Day, Chinese, 32

St.,, God, Cup of the, 132

Sun, Chinese Beliefs concerning, 118, 119

Swallows, never wilfully Killed, 34

Swan Maidens, Chinese Version of the Samojed Legend, 140

Swastika, the, in China, 49

Sweet Dew, Fall of, 128

Sweet,, Flag, Leaves of the, used as a Charm, 51

Swellings Cured by Hem of a Woman’s Garment, 70

T

Tea, Legendary Origin of the Shrub, 137

Teachers, Great, of China, their Influence regarding Superstitions, 6

Thom’s Translation of Æsop’s Fables, 146

Thor’s Hammer in China, 49

Three Children at a Birth, Superstitions concerning, 12

Three,, the Number, Unlucky at Marriages, 17

Threshold, Bride’s Feet must not Touch, 18

Thunder, the God of, 121

Tides, Excessive Superstitions as to, 125

Tides,, Influence of the Moon on, 118

Tiger Suckling Babes, Stories of, 142

Tides,, the, in Chinese Fable, 148

Tigers as Demoniacs, 91

Tortoise and Geese, Fable of, 149

Tree of Life, the, 97

Trees, Anti-demoniacal Powers of Certain, 47

Triangles, Gold or Silver as Charms, 49

Trolls, their Chinese Representatives, 132

Trowsers, Ominous Properties of, 38

Tsien-tang River, Human Self-sacrifice to the, 134

Twitching of the Flesh, an Omen, 38

Typhoons, Legend of Origin of, 109

U

Unicorn, the Chinese, 111

V

Veils, Used at Marriages, 16

Vermilion, a Charm against Infant Sickness, 70

Volcanic Phenomena, Superstitions as to, 126

W

“Watching Spirits,” Superstitions as to, 22

Watching the Dead, 24

Water, Drawn after Midnight on a Certain Date, Efficacy of, 38

Water,, Magic, its Use, 62

Waterspouts and Dragons, 127

Watters, on Chinese Beliefs regarding Pigeons, Doves and Foxes, 3

Waxen Images Used by Wizards, their Chinese Representatives, 83

Wedding Ring, Chinese, 14

White Hempen Cloth for Mourning, 24, 25

Willow, the, its Powers over Spirits, 47

Willow Wood, Divination by Image of, 61

Willow,, Wood, Lucky Properties of, 16

Windows, Opening of, for Egress of Soul, 2

Witchcraft, a Communicable Act, 80

Witchcraft,, and Demonology, 79

Witches and Wizards, Long Existence of in China, 80

Witches,, not Subject to Violence, 80

Witches, Chinese Charm against, 90

Wives, Supernatural, 142

Y

Yang and Yin Principle, Curious Application of, 70

Yang-tsze River, Legends of the, 129

Yellow Paper, Charms on, 54

Yellow,, River, Legends of the, 129

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