1836.] Note on the sacred Tibetan Scarfs. 383 



II. — Note on the white satin embroidered Scarfs of the Tibetan Priests. 



By Major T. H. A. Lloyd. With a translation of the motto on the 



margin of one presented to the Asiatic Society. By Alex. Csoma 



Korosi. 



Having received lately, with a letter from Biitan, one of the silk 

 scarfs mentioned by Turner as in use in that country and Tibet, 

 which, though rather dirty, is of a superior manufacture and more 

 highly ornamented with figures of deities than those I have heretofore 

 met with, I think it may be presented as a specimen to the Society. 

 I can fully confirm Turner's account of its general use in all inter- 

 course, and am sorry I have not had any opportunity of ascertaining 

 the origin of the custom, which is, I believe, peculiar to Tibet, Butan, 

 and Sikhim. I applied to Mr. Csoma Korosi for an explanation 

 of the sentences woven in at the ends of the scarf, and tbat gentleman 

 has kindly transcribed and translated them. I enclose his notes on 

 the subject, and to save you the trouble of a reference, I shall copy 

 what Turner says on this subject ; to whose account I can only add 

 that these scarfs are almost indispensable in all religious offerings, as 

 well as on the occasions he mentions. 



Titalya, Zlst May, 1836. T. H. A. Lloyd. 



Extract from Turner's Embassy, 4to. Edition, 1800. 



Page 67. "We each advanced, presenting, one after the other, a 

 white silk scarf, or long narrow piece of pelong, fringed at both ends, 

 as is the custom in these countries, to the Raja, who, keeping his seat 

 all the time, took them in his hand, and passed them to his zempi. 



Page 71. We delivered to the zempi, or master of the ceremonies, 

 a silk scarf for each of us, which being thrown across our shoulders, 

 he dismissed us. 



Page 72. An inferior, on approaching a superior, presents the 

 white silk scarf; and, when dismissed, has one thrown over his neck, 

 with the ends hanging down in front. Equals exchange scarfs on 

 meeting, bending towards each other, with an inclination of the body. 

 No intercourse whatever takes place without the intervention of a 

 scarf; it always accompanies every letter, being enclosed in the same 

 packet, however distant the place to which it is dispatched. Two 

 colours are in use for this manufacture, which is of China, white and 

 red : the latter is rather confined to the lower orders : the white is 

 respectful in proportion to its purity and fineness ; there are various 

 degrees in both. I am yet ignorant of the origin of this custom, but 

 shall endeavour, at some future time, to obtain an explanation of it. 



