TEE ORIGIN OE KICK-THROWING AT WEDDINGS.
Tho "Chinese Times" gives the following version of the origin of tho custom of throwing rice ut weddings : — "In the duya of the Shang dynasty, some 1500 years beforo Christ, there lived m the province of Shansi a rtiott famous sorcerer called Chao. It happened ono day that a Mr Plang came to consult tho oraclo, and Chao, having divined by means of the turquoiso diagram, informed the trembling Plang that ho had but six days to live. Now, however much we may trust the sagacity and skill of our family physician, we may be excused if, m a matter of life and death, wo call m a second doctor for a consultation, and, m such a strait it is not to bo wondered at that Plang ehould repair to another source to make sure that there was no , miatake. To the fair Peathbloasom ho went, o young lady who had acquired some reputation as a sorceress, and to the tender feminine heart unfolded the story of his woe Her divination yielded the same result as Chao's ; m six days Plang should die, unices, by the exercise of her inngical powers, she could avert tho catastrophe. Ber efforts were successful, and on the Beventh day great waa Chao's astonishment, and still greater his mortification und rage, wben he met Plang taking his evening stroll and learned that there lived a greater magician than be. The story would soon get about, and, unlets he could quietly put an end to his fair rival's existence, hia reputation would be ruined. And this was how Chao plotted against the life of Peachbloasom. do sent a go-be'ween to Peaohbloasom's parents to inquire if their daughter was still unmarried, and, receiving a reply m the affirmative he befooled the simple parents into believing that he had a aoa who was seeking a wife, and ultimately he induced them to engage Poaohblossom to him m marriage. The marriage cards were duly Interchanged; but tbe crafty Chao had choson the most unlucky day he cou'd select for the wedding, the day when the * Golden Pheasant ' was In tho ascendant. Surely bb the bride entered the red chair the spirit bird would destroy her with his powerful beak; But the wlae Peaohb'oßsom Knew all these things. «I will go,' Bhe eald; 'I will fight and defeat them.' Whenthe wedding morning came, she gave directions to have r!^ throwh out of the door, whloh the spirit bird Beelng made baste to devour, and while his attention was thus occupied, Peaohblosaom stepped into tho bridal chair ard passed on her way unharmed. Aud now the ingenuous leader knows why he throws rice after the bride. If any interest has been engendered m his breast by this tale of tho fair Peachblcssom, lbt him liston to what befel her at the hoaaa of the magician. Ai rived at Chao's honse, no bridegroom was there, but an attendant was given her, and the two 'girls prepared to pass the night m the room aaslgnod to them. Peachblossoin was wakeful for she knew that, when the night passed the 'Golden Pheasan\would be?ncceeded by the evil star of the * Wtw Tiger.' whose power and ferocity wflntui tell ! ' Go to tho bod firs^,' she said #M||'o maid. The girl was soon asleep, b&_ still her mistress slept not, but continued to pace the rcom, and at midnight the tiger spirit came, and the morning light showed Pc chblossom still pacing the room, while on the bed lay the lifeless body of the v little maid. Thus were the magic battles of Peachblossom and Chao fought, end many more were there, uutil tbey took tbelr flight to heaven, where now they reign as gods. And on earth the actors have not idols more prized than those of Feaohbloßßom and Chao Kung."
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1668, 21 September 1887, Page 3
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641TEE ORIGIN OE KICK-THROWING AT WEDDINGS. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1668, 21 September 1887, Page 3
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