Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 178, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1914 — Girls Boast Many Names [ARTICLE]

Girls Boast Many Names

Father, Mother, Callers, Servants, A»l Have Own Designation for Chinese Young Women. Detroit —A Chinese girl does not start life with one name and bear it with her for the rest of her days, as does the' member of a Christian family. A fond father will call his baby girl his “Moonbeam,” while his son goes under the designation of a “Phoenix,” says the Detroit TimesWhen she begins to run about her mother probably knows her as a “Little Sister.” Callers address her as "Little Daughter of the House,” and strangers and servants show their respectin the use of “Little Miss.” The Chinese word for an orchid is conveyed by Lan. Girls of many types are all compared to the Queen op Flowers, but they are equally diversified in tastes and occupations, so they are distinguished by words of two syllables, the latter of which is "lan.” A Chinese proverb signifies "the words uttered from a heart full of sympathy have the fragrance of the orchid.” As the flower ranks so high in the opinion ,of the people, it would- be difficult to find a sweeter name for a girl. A "Shy Flower” or a “Sweet Blossom” is a favorite appellation, and the girls* families and friends know them by such fanciful words as Pure Heart, Peace and Modesty coupled with Industry, Faith. Truth or some of the other virtues expected of the women of that Eastern land. Truth, for instance, is sometimes taken as the basis of names, and, with an adjective, becomes a key to the character of the individual to whom it is given. Wang- —« »i ■» -«•>. •»-■ _ . 4-w »■ ■ T • ~ *" ; W - • ’

pan is a girl who does not possess a brother, but one who wishes she had one. If a son is born into the family her name is changed at once, and she becomes the girl who has a brother.