File:Child life in Chinese homes (1885) (14777772062).jpg

Identifier: cu31924023253796 (find matches)
Title: Child life in Chinese homes
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: Bryson, Mrs
Subjects: Children
Publisher: (London) : Religious Tract Society
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
e; and, like most of their pleasures, it has a religiousor superstitious signification. The passage of this fabulous animalthrough the streets of their cities is believed to be very effectual indispelling all evil influences, especially a tendency to various sick-nesses thought to exist in the first month of the year. The body of the dragon is composed of a large number of lanternsfastened together, and covered with coloured paper and cloth. It isfrequently thirty or forty feet long. The numerous joints of which it iscomposed make it capable of being twisted and turned in all directions,and its formidable-looking head and wagging tail make it indeed astriking object. Long poles are attached to a number of the joints, and in theevening it is brightly lighted up. As the many-jointed creature iscarried through the streets, turning and twisting in all directions,rearing its ill-favoured head and gaping mouth, it is pursued byimmense crowds of people. The procession accompanying it makes a
Text Appearing After Image:
THE PUNCH AND JDDY SHOW. S6 ^* CHILD LIFE IN CHINESE HOMES. most unearthly din, beating gongs, and letting off squibs and crackers,to the great amazement of the Western stranger who for the first timelooks upon the singular spectacle. Another game somewhat similar to this is described as the Lionplajdng with the ball. The lion is made in very much the same way asthe dragon, and is carried by two men or boys. Poles are not usuallyemployed, as in carrying the dragon; but the boys insert their headsn the body of the monster, while their figures and legs are dressed torepresent the imaginary legs of the ^imal. This representation ofthe king of beasts is made with gaping jaws, which are a greatconvenience to the persons who put themselves in the position of hislegs and feet, since they can see through the opening what is goingon. The Chinese have an idea that the lion is very fond of playingwith a ball, and accordingly a boy walks in front of the processioncarrying a very large one. This y

Note About Images