[130] In Shanghai, and probably elsewhere, a real ox is still sometimes used, and he is led by a real child (_T'ai Sui_) instead of a cardboard _Mang-Shên_. See the Rev. A. Box's "Shanghai Folk-lore" in the _Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society_ (China Branch), vol. xxxiv. (1901-2) pp. 116-7, and vol. xxxvi. (1905) pp. 136-7. Needless to say, no blood is shed nowadays, though it seems not unlikely that at one time a living child and a living ox were both offered up in sacrifice to promote the fertility of the crops. In Northumberland, England, it is or used to be a custom to hold rustic masquerades at the New Year, the players being clothed in the _hides of oxen_ (see _County Folk-lore_, vol. iv.). It would be interesting to know whether the Northumbrian custom was originally a ceremony to promote fertility. [131] Probably the Spring Ox is still, in some parts of China, made of clay only, not of paper. [132] _Shang Yüan Chieh_, Feast of the First Full Moon. [133] Cf. pp. 262 _seq._ From Gibbon's _Decline and Fall_ (vol. i. p. 344) we know that long after the establishment of Christianity there was kept up, in Europe, a pagan festival at which it was customary to decorate the doors of houses with branches of laurel and to hang out lanterns. The doors of Roman houses were regarded as being under the special protection of the household gods. [134] _Yüan hsiao._ [135] For some interesting notes on the bridge-walking customs, see Rev. E. Box's "Shanghai Folk-lore," in the _Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society_ (China Branch), vol. xxxvi. (1905) pp. 133-4. These practices are not confined to China. In Korea, on the fourteenth and fifteenth of the first month the men and boys of Seoul walk over three particular bridges in succession, in order to safeguard themselves from pains in the legs and feet throughout the ensuing year. (See article by T. Watters in _Folk-lore_, March 1895.) For the beliefs of many races on the subject of the expulsion of evils in general, see Frazer's _Golden Bough_ (2nd ed.), vol. iii. pp. 39 _seq._, 70 _seq._ [136] This may be compared with the Scottish customs in connection with the guisers or guisards. In Shetland a torchlight procession sometimes formed part of the revelry. (See _Folk-lore_, vol. iii. [Orkney and Shetland], pp. 203 _seq._) [137] For remarks on the supposed remarkable properties of this shrub, see De Groot's _Religious System of China_, vol. iv. p. 320. [138] See _County Folk-lore_, vol. iv. (Northumberland) p. 73. [139] In different parts of the Empire the date is variously assigned to the second, tenth, twelfth and fifteenth of the month. For Shanghai customs in connection with this festival, see Rev. A. Box, _Journal of the R.A.S._ (China), vol. xxxiv. p. 117 and vol. xxxvi. pp. 137-8. In that part of China "the women and children adorn the flowering shrubs with paper rosettes, and recite verses and prostrate themselves in token of respect and in hope of a fruitful season."