30 



In the fourth rim , above , are the charaeters ||| $& ~%* ~Jl -fr u The changes are 



thousands and ten-thousands" or: ,/there are innumerable changes (in nature, etc). 



In the same rim, below, are the five mystic lodge-marks, meaning: Three generations 

 united together in peace." (*) 



On both sides are the charaeters bK ^ JE 1Ü ^ ffff $£ ü //If the dragon 

 is not genuine, the Hung-passes will not be opened"; (If there is no true emperor coming 

 forth, the passes of Hung will not be opened). ( 2 ) 



In the fifth rim we have, in the uppermargin, the charaeters //Kia-hao (|s£ ïgM which is 

 the name of the third lodge in the provinces of Yun-nan and Sze-chnen. ( 3 ) These two cha- 

 raeters ought, we believe, to be connected with the words ,/Hung-phiao." 



To the left and right are the charaeters Sun and Moon. 



On the sides the distich: 



* n *n &. fè n % SE 



All, together, harmoniously united; 



The pledged myriads make it their signal. 



In the midst of the diploma are the charaeters Kung-pUao ( 4 ), //The Hung swerve." We 

 suppose, however, that the last character is written instead of the character Phiao ( 5 ), which 

 signifies a warrant or passport. In that case the character would mean //Warrant of Hung" , 

 which interpretation agrees with the style of a seal or diploma. Connected with the cha- 

 raeters Kia-hao it may mean: Passport of Hang, (given by) the Kia-hao (or 3d) Lodge. 



The small diploma differs slightly from the grand one, as the annexed cut shows. The 

 first and third rim being omitted, and the charaeters at the undermargin of the fourth rim 

 being daubed black. 



The character Hung, in the midst of the seal, is placed in the mystic triangle; and in 

 the distich in the fifth rim stands: ^t ^Jt ^J ^ //with Hung harmoniously united:" 



■»^fc having taken the place of (lij, 



In the slang of the society this diploma, which is printed on linen or silk, is called 

 the Purse (j§| j^) t 



We have said above that the diplomas differ a little. Besides the diploma of the ^ Ey 

 Kia-kao-loUge , we found also diplomas whereon are found, instead of those charaeters, the 

 charaeters H| *g* Holy will, or Imperial order. 



On these diplomas we find instead of the distich : Lung puh ching , pien puh khai hung 

 kwan, the distich: 



(*) & ( 2 ) Comp. p. 24. ( 3 ) See p. 18. 



