► Chinese Lore for Chinese-Hawaiians - 18: Chung Kuei

* Chapter 17 ends with noting that the following segment would continue with "Chung Kuei"... this chapter makes no reference of the name.

Honolulu Star Bulletin, Honolulu T.H., February 23, 1957 - Clarice B. Taylor's "Tales about Hawaii"

     Hawaiian grandma believed it possible fro an evil spirit to take possession of a human being and cause death.

     Chinese Grandpa believed just the opposite.

     An evil spirit can not enter the body until after death. Evil spirits are constantly attempting to kill human beings by taking away the pure air and causing human beings to breathe Yao-chi, the breath of evil.

     According to Chinese Grandpa's thinking, the fifth month of the year is the most dangerous because it is filled with Yao-chi.

SPIRIT ERADICATORS
     T'aoist set up a board of health composed of five gods to preside over the month. The most popular of the gods is Tien Shi, guardian of small children, and Chung Kuei, a diefied T'aoist priest who had the power to capture evil spirits and so save the lives of human beings.

     Many Chinese mourning customs of today are a result of these beliefs. The body of the dead one must be protected against evil spirits and the spirit of the dead one must be protected by certain rites.

     Since the death of a parent is most to be deplored, mourning for a father lasts a period of three years. Mourning of a grandparent lasts one year.

MOURNING DRESS 
     The mourning period is divided into a suitable number of days during which a different set of mourning clothes is worn to signify the period.

     The Chinese Almanac must be consulted to find a suitable day for moving the corpse, holding the funeral and holding the burial. Sometimes there is a lapse between death and burial.

     During the time the corpse of a parent is still in the house, the mourner goes about when his coat unfastened.

FUNERAL GARB
     Funeral garb is the next mourning dress - it can be put on at any time the omens are favorable. If the Almanac says to avoid putting on funeral garb, a favorable day must be found.

     The first mourning period ends at 49 day or three months and a new mourning garb must be donned.

     However, it is best to watch the Almanac and make no change if the omens are not favorable.

     It is for that reason the omens for the day so often say "avoid beginning or ending a mourning period."

NEXT: Mourning Customs