148 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. I42 



end is the tail, which resembles the tail of a fish. A man walks in 

 front carrying on a pole a paper ball in which is a light. It is called 

 a pao (precious), and represents the sun, the moon, or a star. The 

 head of the dragon is constantly trying to swallow the ball. As the 

 dragon proceeds, it frequently makes circles to the left, counterclock- 

 wise. 



The dragon is carried by strong young men who are naked above 

 the waist but wear conical hats. As they carry the dragon, they dance 

 vigorously. As the dragon moves along, in addition to making 

 occasional circles, it imitates the undulatory movements of a snake. 

 Strings of firecrackers hanging from long poles are lighted, sometimes 

 two at a time. Some of the firecrackers are made so that they do not 

 explode, but sizzle through the air in a fiery circle. Drums, gongs, 

 and cymbals are beaten, and handfuls of powder are lighted, so that 

 they pufT fire and smoke. Large bamboo tubes open at one end are 

 filled with powder mixed with iron filings. When this is lighted, 

 streams of fire, smoke, and sparks spurt over the dragon and over 

 the dancers. To keep from being burned by the sparks, the carriers 

 dance vigorously. 



The dragon parade furnishes entertainment and amusement for a 

 great many people. In addition it is believed to benefit the people and 

 the community by exorcising the demons who might cause sickness 

 and other calamities. 



On the morning of the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, many fire- 

 crackers are set ofif. People worship the ancestral tablets in the homes 

 and in the ancestral temples, lighting candles and incense, burning 

 spirit money, and generally offering food and wine. They also wor- 

 ship the gods in the homes and in the temples. 



On this day most of the shops open for business, although some 

 open earlier and some later. The opening must take place at a lucky 

 time, usually early. If a customer comes before a store has been 

 opened, or just as it is being opened, and makes a purchase, it is 

 considered lucky. At the time of opening, firecrackers are set off to 

 make a good impression. Incense and candles are lighted, and the 

 ancestors and house gods are worshiped. If an enemy comes at this 

 time and creates a disturbance, knocking over furniture and some 

 of the goods, it is considered very bad luck, and a serious loss of face, 

 as well as a lawsuit, often ensues. 



The Ch'ing Ming ^^M, or Spring Festival, generally comes early 

 in the third moon, but sometimes late in the second moon, just 

 106 days after the winter solstice. It often occurs early in April 



