Around Singapore

[Archive: Family Photos : 1930's to 1940's] What is the Cheong sam? 1. The Cheong sam is a dress worn by women. (Usually, the middle and upper class). 2. The beauty of the Cheong sam is that it allows a women to `show off' their figure! 3. To this day, it is still continued to be worn by many women for formal occassions e.g. wedding dinners and other functions. Is the Cheong sam comfortable to be worn? 1. Sorry, I am not a lady so cannot truely comment. 2. I understand that you as it is tight fitting, you really and I mean really must have the figure to wear it else it may be quite uncomfortable. Can the Cheong sam be worn by the young (young ladies) and the old)? Yes,…

1. Enclosed please find a picture (around 1940's) of a nine storey high pagoda. 2. This picture was taken at the Har Par Villa, a Singapore attaction. The attraction has recently been commercialised and still around. 3. Typical pagodas have odd number storeys. For example, 5 storeys, 7 storeys, 9 storeys etc... 4. In the past, the pagoda is built on top of ley lines or water courses. It is a known fact that water faults do cause problems. To find out more, go to this url: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/under.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil

[Family photos showing clothings worn during 1930s to 1940s.] 1. Under the second picture 2, casual dressing of the elderly, you can see the picture of my great grandmother on the right of the picture. In the past, it is very auspicious for one to be carried or even see your great grandmother alive! I am fortunate to do so. But she died a few years after I was born i.e. around age 3 years old. The reason why it is common to have the opportunity to `see' one's great great grandmother was because of early marriages and naturally early births. Nowadays, with people marrying late, one is lucky if one sees one's grand father! But few if ever would get to see their great grea…

Picture of a bungalow house built around 1920's.

1. This picture shows a retail company of the early 1930's. 2. Usually the shop occupy two levels and looks quite dark. 3. If you notice carefully, there is a a display at the frontage of the shop. I believe this shop is selling crockery or porcelain ware. 4. Notice that some of the workers are wearing singlets and working at their desks. 5. Today, many such companies have become wholesalers or sole agents for certain products. There are some which failed and closed down. In Singapore, it can be quite hot especially if there is no fan. (Air-con was not invented then). How fortunate we are today with proper lighting and (aircon)! Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. This picture shows a circular entrance to Chinese gardens. This picture was taken around 1930's. 2. Nowadays, it is rare to find these entrances other than at tourist spots. 3. The picture shows my grandfather and grandmother. By the way, my grand mother is wearing a Cheong sam dress. 4. If you look carefully in some of the family photos, under the topic: Chinese culture: What is the Cheong sam dress? you should spot my grandmother in some of these pictures. Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. This picture shows the frontage of a Chinese rest house cum restaurant or shall we call it a motel, in Singapore in the 1940's. 2. It is interesting to see my father, on the right and a family member in the clothing of that period. Warmest Regards, Cecil

The picture shows a typical Chinese building roof in the 1940's. Although the roof is not as elaborate as temple roofs but it shares a similar design as many traditional building roofs. Warmest Regards, Cecil

(For more information of The Sterling Project, please refer to the previous postings on The Sterling under this conference). Here are the latest pictures of The Sterling Condominum Project. In the first two pictures, you will get to see the apartment blocks of the most excellent units of this condominium.

- Message cross posted from Free Advice Conf- -- Original Message from Anon -- In the photo tour of interest (pictures of Bungalow houses). There is a tree in the front of the house. Will it be considered a poison arrow. What is the white structure on top of the house(looks like a coin with dragon fish). Thanks. -- End of message -- Dear Anon, 1. I have retaken another picture. This picture will show that there is no poison arrows aimed at the house. 2. You will also notice that the drive way does not act as sha qi against the main entrance door. The main entrance is also elevated (on the right side of the picture). 3. The drive way leads to the back area of the house. …

Hi everyone, I like to use the Saintograph (R) brand protractor. It comes in various sizes. If I am not mistaken it costs around US$2.50/- to US$5.00/- plus or minus this amount. If you cannot find this brand, purchase a `reputable' brand. For those who are new, I use it inconjunction with the compass method: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/cecilcompass.htm My favourite compass can be found under this link:- http://www.geomancy.net/fs/recommendcompass.htm Happy Feng Shuing:) Important Tips:- 1. While doing so, always remember to take confirmation readings from the exterior of the house e.g. on a vacant land and do not wear jewellry or go close to the walls (wher the walls may…

1. Chinese consider bats as auspicious. As the phonetic sound is `Fu' or good luck. 2. Included in this message are Chinese pictures that have bats in them. 3. In ancient China, it is common to see Chinese children deplicted in some of the pictures attached below. Notice their hairstyle and dressing. The children looks well fed:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. These pictures showing elaborate Chinese dragon motifs commonly found on Chinese vases, plates wood carvings. 2. In some pictures, you may have to `stare' hard to find the profile of the dragon. While in some photos, it is quite easy to spot the dragon. Hope you can locate the dragon! Happy dragon hunting! P.S. please ignore the second picture. As it is a duplicate of the first picture. Wrongly uploaded twice.

Enclosed please find ten motifs of the same Chinese symbol: Shou which means longevity. These symbols are commonly found on just anything. For example you can see the symbol on Chinese `antique' chairs, cushion covers, wood carvings on doors, panels. This symbol is also found on bedsheets, pillow covers etc... You name it, it is on the objects or items.