GORY SHEEP'S HEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 134, 8 June 1934, Page 5

GORY SHEEP'S HEAD.

A TIBETAN GIFT. CHINESE SCHOLARS PUZZLED. Although honourably gratified, ofiici

ally, Nanking Government authorities are embarrassed, unofficially, over the significance of the Panchen Lama's latest gift to the capital —a blood - I stained sheep's head. I With no explanation, the spiritual and temporal head of Tibet, upon his arrival in Nanking from Mongolia, presented his respects and his grisly offering to the somewhat* startled officials, who, according to the vernacular Press in Shanghai, immediately installed it in the Government museum. There it remains. Several Chinese scholars thereupon were called in, in the hope that they might discover the elusive significance of the gift. L T pon examining several volumes and manuscripts pertaining to Tibetan lore, tiiey sifted out of the welter of conflicting information two possible interpretations. Contending that the sheep's head is an omen of good luck and a gesture of friendship, one enterprising scholar pointed out that, in tho light of the political significance of the Panchca Lama's visit to Nanking, the offering might be acceptcd as an indication of his intended loyalty to the Government.