CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES. 7 



of the " Tau" are four characters, Plantain, (54) Taro,(55) 

 Plum, (56) Orange. (57) Behind is the inscription, "The pro- 

 visions in the Peck measure are Red (Ang)." 



Inside the Tau, is placed a peck of rice, amongst which is 

 deposited a red paper parcel, containing 108 of the " Ang " 

 Cash,(58) and the whole is neatly covered with red paper, 

 into which the Sien-Seng sticks the various articles and 

 instruments, symbolical of the history and objects of the 

 Thien-Te-Hui,* in the following order. 



(1) The Flags of the "Five Ancestors," which are trian- 

 gular; each containing the surname of one of the five 

 priests, Chhoa-Tek-Tiong,(59) Png-Toa-Ang,(60) Ma-Chhiau- 

 Hin,(61) 0-Tek-Te,(62) and Li-Sek-Khai ;(63) and the name 

 of the Province, — Fuh-Kien, Kwangtung, Yunnan, Hu- 

 Kwang§, or Chekiang, in which each priest founded a Lodge. 



On these Flags, are inscribed in abbreviated characters, 

 the mottoes, " Obey Heaven, Walk righteously,"(64) and 

 " Exterminate the Chheng,"(65) or, " Overturn the Chheng, 

 restore the Beng." 



The flags are, Black, Red, Yellow or Carnation colour, 

 White, and Green, (or Azure blue) ; all have a pennon with 

 suitable inscription, and before inserting each in the Tau, 

 the Sien Seng recites an appropriate verse. — e. g. 



The first, or Black Flag of Hok-Kien. 



" Tlie black flag of Hok-Kien lias the precedence." 



"In Kam-Siok (Kan-Suk) they also associated together, and laid a 

 foundation." 



"The "Beng" conferred on the Lodge, the title of "Blue Lotus 

 Hall. " 



" So the whole 13 provinces shall guard the Imperial domains." 

 (2) The Flags of the five horse dealers * or " Tiger 

 Generals,"( 66; Lim-eng-Chhiau,(67) Li-sek-ti,(68)Go-tkien- 

 seng,(69) Tho-pit-tat,(70) and Ang-thai-sui,(71). These flags 

 are of the same colour and description as those of the five 

 ancestors. On each is the name of the General, and the Pro- 

 vince, Kansuh, Kwang-si, Sze-chuan, Shan-si, or Kiang-si, in 



* For a full and minute description of the Flags &c;, see Schlegel — pp. 

 33—46. 



§ Now divided into Hu-Nan, and Hu-Peh. 



54^58 mm 62 «» 66 SEW 70#3§ 



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56^ 60-jjJim 64 jH^Tt 685$^^ 



57 ft; 6i mm 65 i&mi e». &^$ 



