中國 民俗文化의 幼兒禁忌 考察

Abstract

The present study covers classification and survey of the taboos practised in the ancient Chinese folk culture in relation with raising a child. A child is required to be taught with the general rules of etiquette. Physical punishments are permitted in general, but no rulers are used for that purpose. Punishments are allowed on the hips, but not the upper part of the body such as face and head. No punishment should be made, while the children are at the table for the meals. All these measures are considered essential for a child to become a responsible member of the social life. Taboos are closely related with instructing a child for a correct everyday life behavior. If the above mentioned measures are not duly observed, a child is believed to be raised as a simpleton, disabled, or a dumb. There are taboos on food and children's play which are directly concerned with children's health and safety, free from disease, and also with children's school studies. These taboos are, at the same time, to encourage frugality and to advise not to destroy life. With respect to the taboos on infirmities and disasters, parents are not supposed to brag of the child's health. When a child suffers a serious disease, parents are advised to install a keep out sign board at the gate, so that people should be previously alerted before visiting the house. Sometimes, an exorcist is invited to prevent misfortune or evils in order to preserve the healthy state of a child. On a birthday party a noodle soup is served to wish a long life, and the 12th birthday is considered the most important for a child. If a child is weak and ill, an adopted parents are provided. And sometimes the child is sent to a Buddhist or Taoist temple to add the name of the monk on his own as his adopted parents. All these measures are put into practice in order to wish a long life without disease, preventing from bad evils. Taboos on clothing reflects the folk culture that believes in the existence of a child's soul in the clothes he wears. A lock with the words of long life in Chinese characters is placed on the neck of a child as an ornament. On each side of the lock, where the words of 100 years of long life and of well-being with happiness are engraved, is usually offered as a present by various families with a wish for the health of the child. When a child is lying ill, his mother invokes the spirit of the deceased with a raw egg and tries to keep the child from losing his spirit when some one dies. There are a number of taboos according to the seasonal rites on the Lunar New Year Holiday and on May 5th of the Lunar year when epidemics and harmful insects are spreading very rapidly. A child will grow taller fast when he goes around an oak tree on the New Year Eve and when he keeps shaking a blue bamboo tree in the evening of January 15th, according to the lunar calendar. We also find a number of taboos for children on the turning point of the season. The taboos are to eliminate evils and malicious spirits, together with harmful insects for the purpose of safeguarding the health of the children. If these measures are not considered enough, one may carry amulets or sometimes an exorcist is invited to prevent from the bad spirits.