Note 4 — XI.—SUPERSTITIONS REGARDING THE POWERS OF NATURE.

The identification of the stars and planets with the dwelling places of heroic or supernatural beings prevails extensively in China. These superstitions are mostly Taoistic and strongly resemble those of the Hindoos. The Divine Tortoise 神龜 Shên-kwai is said to be the embodiment of the star “Yao Kwong” in Ursa Major. The Spirit of the legendary prince Chih-yu 蚩尤 is supposed to inhabit the planet Mars. Yu-hwang-ti is assigned to the pure Jade stone palace in the Tʻai-wei tract of stars. Tʻien-hwang-ta-ti, who rules the poles, and regulates heaven, earth and man, is said to reside in the pole star. Hsing-chu, the “Lord of the stars” resides in a star near the pole known by his name; while the spirit of the South pole has a similar celestial residence. As already noted, Kwan-Ti, the God of War, is alleged to have made himself visible, on occasions of dire political distress, within a brilliant star. Numerous examples of this sort might be adduced, but the foregoing may suffice. The constellations, by the way, are in Chinese almanacks formed into arbitrary figures as in Western astronomy, while, as is natural, the Chinaman actually associates the monster thus designed with the stars forming its supposed outline. Persons born under certain constellations are (in accordance with European Astrology) liable to good or evil luck. Apropos of this I came across a curious work from Madras4 a short time since, in which the rules for building a house in compliance with stellar influences closely resemble similar beliefs in China.—“Having selected a site, the frontage must be divided into nine equal parts, five being assigned to the right and three to the left, the fourth division being reserved for the door-way. The enumeration begins on the left and thus the fourth section is in the mansion of Mercury. The occupant of such a house may become as wealthy as Kubera. A person born under Gemini, Cancer, or Leo, must build his house on a line stretching east and west, the entrance being placed easterly. A person born under Virgo, Libra, or Scorpio, must build on a line running north and south, the door-way being southerly. One born under Sagittarius, Capricorn, or Aquarius must build west and east, placing the entrance westerly. If born under Pisces, Aries, or the Twins, he must build south and north, the door being placed northerly. A family occupying a house built contrary to these rules will be ruined.”