Memoirs Of A Palace Maid

Sleeping Position

During autumn evenings, even though the sun has set, there is a long period of time before the lights lit up. The Banner people call this period of time "you hou deng er"*. During this leisure time, we placed the kang table** at the doorway, brewed a pot of tea and got together a few low stools. We sat together with the neighbours and started chatting.

"There are three large difficulties in the palace." It was rare to get her so speak so quickly. We listened quietly, waiting for her to continue. "The first is to sleep. There is a very strict rule in the palace. Palace maids cannot sleep on her back. She must lie sideways, fist on leg."

She stood up from the bench and walked to the wooden bed in front to demonstrate for us. She laid down sideways, two legs bent, one hand on the side of her body, the other hand stretched out. I couldn't help, but ask in a low voice: "Why would you sleep like this?" Usually, when she speaks, we rarely interrupted. If she does not like what you are saying, she would stop talking coldly.

She said: "The court people believe in gods. According to the myths, every palace has a palace deity. They come out at night to inspect and to protect the Empress Dowager, the Emperor and the various masters. Palace maids cannot sleep without looking dignified. They will look terrible if they lie down with their arms and legs akimbo! It is no small matter if the palace deity is offended.

Also, the little sisters have a personal taboo. They do not hug themselves with their arms while sleeping. This is called a crying posture. You will never encounter good fortune."

Mosquitoes flew around in the darkness in a corner. She kindly distributed banana leaves to everyone before she took one herself. This was the courtesy of the Banner people. She continued: "The daytime errands are still easy to handle. Once night falls, I am on tenterhooks. I don't know how many times I was beaten because of my sleep. Til now, I still sleep sideways. It was beaten into me during that time."

Her voice began to sink again.

Translator's Notes:

* I am sorry. I am unable to translate the term 有后蹬儿 (yǒu hòu dēng er). It is a very obscure term and I can't find anything about it on the internet. It might be of Manchu origins which might explain the lack of information about it.

** The kang table is a long, low table that can serves as a bench or a low bed.