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CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

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— 255 —<br />

beheld a vast landscape covered with luxuriant vegetation.<br />

Further<br />

on, arose a majestic portal closed with a strong iron gate, studded<br />

with countless nails. It was the entrance to the First Court <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Infernal regions.<br />

The governor knocked at the great gate, and much to his<br />

surprise, was received by Kwan-yil || ^ (1), the Chinese God <strong>of</strong><br />

War. The deified warrior showed him over his palace, and ended<br />

by leading him to the Second Court <strong>of</strong> Hades, then to the Third and<br />

Fourth, all <strong>of</strong> which he visited in detail (2).<br />

Upon reaching the Fifth, Varna, the President <strong>of</strong> this Court (3),<br />

begged him sit down and partake <strong>of</strong> some tea. The conversation<br />

turned on the administration <strong>of</strong> the Underworld. "We, judges <strong>of</strong><br />

Hades, said the President, have to punish all the souls <strong>of</strong> the dead,<br />

without distinction <strong>of</strong> position or rank while they lived in the world<br />

above. These souls, after death, wander throughout the world, but<br />

are seized by our lictors, and brought to this dismal region" (4).<br />

The conversation being ended, Fama led his visitor back to the<br />

great gate <strong>of</strong> Hades, and there bade him farewell. Hereupon, the<br />

governor resumed his position in the strong box, and was soon<br />

hauled up into the vital air. Having returned to the world <strong>of</strong><br />

mortals, he related in detail all that he had seen and heard in the<br />

infernal regions, and a slab embodying the story was erected at<br />

(1) See on Kwan-yil Ufj i$, the Chinese God <strong>of</strong> War. Chinese Super-<br />

stitions. Vol. VI. p. 71-88.<br />

(2)<br />

The day on which he was snatched for a time into the spirit-world<br />

happened to be the birthday <strong>of</strong> Fung-tu Ta-ti, the gentleman wielding<br />

supreme power over all Hades. China Review. Vol. I. p. 302.<br />

(3) Yama's name is used in general parlance as a generic for all the<br />

judges. A legend states he was formerly President <strong>of</strong> the First Court, but<br />

being too lenient in allowing men to return forthwith to life, he was trans-<br />

ferred to the Fifth Court. China Review. Vol. I. p. 303. - Wiegeri Moral<br />

Tenets and Customs in China, p. 363 (The Fifth Court).<br />

(4) Wieger. Folk-Lore Chinois Moderne. Introduction, p. 8. Les juges<br />

des enfers lancent par leurs satellites les mandats d'amener les ames, a l'heure<br />

dcrite sur le livre du destin.

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