XX 



INTRODüCTION. 



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Of these odd numbers the 5 is the immber of Shavgti or T/«««; the number of Reaven or GW. 

 Bachofen's explication is similar when he says ff that the 3 and 5 are the numbers of crea- 

 tion; the numbers of the Creator." ( l ) 



In antiquity 5 families in China formed a hamlet and 5 hamlets a village, ( 2 ) a division which 

 has been preserved in Japan. The Chinese natural sj^stem is divided into 5. There are five 

 conditions: the external appearance of the body, the speech, the sight, the hearing and 

 the thought. Fiveperiods or revolutions : the year, month or moon, sun or day, stars, and pla- 

 nets. Five intestines: the stomach, the liver, the heart, the lungs and the kidneys. Five 

 cardinal points: the Korth, South, East, West and Middle. Sweet, bitter, sour, sharp and 

 is alt are the 5 tastes; and yellow, red, white, green and black are the five colours. Humanity, 

 righteousness, x>ropriety, wisdom and faith are the five duties or virtues. Earth, wood, fire, 

 metal and water are the 5 elements; Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury the 5 pla- 

 nets. We have seen already that God or Shangti was worshipped on five mountains. 



Longevity, riches, health, love of virtue, and a natural death constitute the 5 blessings: 

 z/May the five blessings descend upon our house" ( 3 ) is a common inscription on the lintels of 

 Chinese houses. 



At the time of Mencius there were 5 degrees: the emperor, dukes, feudal barons, earls 

 aöjd baronets. ( 4 ) 



( ] ) Grabersymbolic, pp. 246 & ff, 



( 3 ) 3£ ie % M. 5£ 



Sacred Edict, III. 



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