Talismans, §c. used by the Chinese. 289 
Besides these there are many others of various kinds, such as different 
forms of the characters fh, prosperity or happiness; and show, longevity. 
Among these is one called Pik show too, “the map of a hundred shows,” 
being a hundred different forms of that character: of course many of the 
forms are very fanciful. 
There are also numerous figures of deified men, &c. which, though not 
properly speaking charms, are considered felicitous, and therefore hung up 
in houses and honoured, some constantly, others on particular occasions. 
Of the specimens sent, the following is an explanation : 
1. Kwei-sing. The spirit of the North Polar star, the patron of learning. 
It is drawn standing alone on the head of the Gaou, a large fish, and 
kicking Tow, the Ursa Major, to represent the power of knowledge. The 
pencil in its right hand is held up on high, to signify the dignity of lite- 
rature. There is a print from an engraving on stone, in which the eight 
characters Ching sin, sew shin, kih Ie, fuh le, are written in a fanciful manner, 
so as to resemble the figure of the Kwei-sing. The seal characters at the 
top are the same as those of which the figure is formed. 
2. Chang-scén. ‘This is a deified man, who having shot the heavenly dog, 
which often devoured children, is worshipped by parents for the purpose 
of keeping their children from harm. In the drawing he is represented 
shooting the dog, with his children around him. 
3. A representation of Pwan hoo, the first human being; at least so 
marked by the seller: but it is more probably intended for Fuh he, the in- 
ventor of the eight diagrams. 
4 Chang-teén-sze, the imperial astronomer. ‘The first who filled this 
office was Chang-leang, and his descendants are said to have succeeded him 
uninterruptedly. They are divided into two families, named Kung and 
Chang, who always intermarry ; thus forming, from the union of Kung and 
Chang, the surname Chang. These deified astronomers are supposed to 
inform their worshippers when any great calamities, such as plague, famine, 
pestilence, &c. are about to take place. The introduction of European 
astronomers is said to have put the Chang family out of oflice, though the 
emperors still grant them sustenance. 
5. Ho, hi, urh seén. The two genii, harmony and union. These are 
two partners in trade, who were always successful, and are therefore deified 
and worshipped by tradespeople. The two red animals represented flying 
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