of the "Tau" are four characters, Plantain, (54 蕉) Taro, (55 芋) Plum, (56 李) Orange. (57 桔) Behind is the inscription, "The provisions in the Peck measure are Red (Ang)."
Inside the Tau, is placed a peck of rice, amongst which is deposited a red paper parcel, containing 108 of the "Ang Cash, (58 洪錢) and the whole is neatly covered with red paper, into which the Sien-Seng sticks the various articles and instruments, symbolical of the history and objects of the Thien-Te-Hui,* in the following order.
(1) The Flags of the "Five Ancestors," which are triangular; each containing the surname of one of the five priests, Chhoa-Tek-Tiong. (59 蔡德忠) Png-Toa-Ang (60 方大洪) Ma-Chhian-Hin, (61 馬招興) O-Tek-Té, (62 胡德帝) and Li-Sok-Khai; (63 李色開) and the name of the Province,—Fuh-Kien, Kwangtung, Yunnan, Hu-Kwang[1], or Chekiang, in which each priest founded a Lodge.
On these Flags, are inscribed in abbreviated characters, the mottoes, "Obey Heaven, Walk righteously,"(64 川大丁首) and "Exterminate the Chheng," (65 收滅青) or, "Overturn the Chheng, restore the Beng."
The flags are, Black, Red, Yellow or Carnation colour, White, and Green, (or Azure blue); all have a pennon with suitable inscription, and before inserting each in the Tau, the Sien Seng recites an appropriate verse.—e.g.
The first, or Black Flag of Hok-Kien.
- "The black flag of Hok-Kien has the precedence."
- "In Kam-Siok (Kan-Suh) they also associated together, and laid a foundation."
- "The "Beng" conferred on the Lodge, the title of "Blue Lotus Hall."
- "So the whole 13 provinces shall guard the Imperial domains."
(2) The Flags of the five horse dealers[2] or "Tiger Generals, (66 五虎將) Lim-eng-Chhiau, (67 林永超) Li-sek-ti, (68 李色智) Go-thien-seng, (69 吳天成) Tho-pit-tat, (70 必達) and Ang-thai-sui, (71 洪太歲). These flags are of the same colour and description as those of the five ancestors. On each is the name of the General, and the Province, Kansuh, Kwang-si, Sze-chuan, Shan-si, or Kiang-si, in
