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_i_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>N some ways this is one of the most amazing incidents in the Hung ceremony, for it is clearly an imitation of the sacrifice to Heaven and Earth, which was the sole prerogative of the Emperor. By thus arrogating to their Society the right to make this sacrifice the Hung brethren clearly indicate their belief that among them is the true Emperor, and that the Manchu monarch who sat on the throne of China not only had no title thereto but that, being an usurper, Heaven could not be expected to accept his sacrifices. One of the earliest Chinese references we have to this sacrifice is that made by Kwan Ti and his two friends, which, although related in the Hung ritual, is also found in other Chinese accounts of these three heroes.
