Section 29

1 That is, dies. 2 It was the popular custom apparently, which, however, the Mandćans did not follow, when a woman was in labour, to ring a bell to ward off evil influences (cp. the Egyptian sistrum); and a picture (or pantacle) also, with a similar apotropaic purpose, was painted. If the birth was successful, a birth-feast was given. It was also the custom, when bride and groom were poor, for their friends to borrow money or to bail for the expenses of the wedding-festivities. 3 L. prefers to translate this as 'vault,' but he seems to me to miss the meaning and that too in face of his own note, where he admits that the first word simply means 'brick.' 4 Both references seem to refer to Egyptian motives in burial customs. For the extraordinarily interesting deduction to be made from this hint in connection with a striking phrase in one of the following Miryai-pieces (§ 35) see the note appended there ( p. 69, n. 3 ). p. 56 1 That is the Dwelling of the Seven Rulers, and therefore this world. 2 Sc . the heavenly messengers. 3 This is perhaps to guard against docetism. 4 Presumably = midwife. 5 See above § 31,— p. 55, n. 2 .