l60 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL, I42 



ing into objects that can be used by the deceased ancestors. Money is 

 offered to the gods by burning, but food and wine are first offered 

 to the ancestors and deities, then eaten or drunk by the living 

 descendants. 



Offerings are made to the ancestors because it is beUeved that they 

 need them, and with the expectation that in return the ancestors will 

 protect and help their descendants and grant them many favors. Some 

 offerings are made to the gods before requests are made, with the idea 

 that they will cause the gods to be propitious, but many offerings are 

 made in the payment of vows, or promises, made when praying to 

 the gods for some favor. 



Up to recent decades Chinese officials did not receive any salaries. 

 They were appointed as rulers in certain regions, and one of their 

 duties was to collect taxes. They were held responsible for the pay- 

 ment of a certain amount to their superiors, and what they collected 

 beyond that was their own. One source of an official's income was the 

 giving of gifts by people who desired favors. No person would think 

 of asking a favor without first making a gift. In cases of litigation, 

 both the accused and the accuser gave presents to the magistrates. 

 Often the gifts were money. A proverb says, "The door of the yamen 

 is opened wide. I f you are in the right but have no money, there is no 

 use to enter." 



It is customary to make gifts to important people whom you know 

 on their birthdays, weddings, funerals, and on many other occasions. 

 I returned to the United States on furlough four times, and the fifth 

 time to remain. Each time, Chinese friends gave many presents, vary- 

 ing from eggs, pieces of sugarcane, and chickens to beautiful and valu- 

 able embroideries, paintings, porcelains, bronzes, and other objects. 



In China people give presents to friends whom they love and re- 

 spect, and also to important people from whom they desire and ex- 

 pect favors. These social customs go a long way toward explaining 

 the sacrifices and offerings of the Chinese to their ancestors and to 

 their gods. 



SHRINES, TEMPLES, AND SACRED MOUNTAINS 



Wayside shrines may be regarded as miniature temples. They are 

 often found by the sides of roads and paths in the country, and in 

 the streets of towns and cities. In their simplest forms they have 

 images of gods, but no walls or roofs. Generally they are open in 

 front so that the gods can see and be seen by the worshipers, but 

 have walls and roofs to protect the images of the gods from the rain, 



