ABSTRACT

https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315828060/49546f0e-ce84-4e70-9b40-7107f16ee305/content/unfig_t_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>HE tree plays a most important part in the religious observances of most primitive, and of many fairly civilised, races, and therefore it is not surprising to find traces of a Tree Cult in the Hung Society. In order to understand the ceremony it is necessary to have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the peculiar properties and beliefs attached by the Chinese to certain trees, such as the peach, the pine or fir, and the cypress. Moreover, it will be of real assistance in this investigation if we compare the Chinese Tree Cult with similar Cults elsewhere, since often these will help to elucidate the reasons which underlie various Chinese superstitions and beliefs.