Around Singapore

By how, after having seen the earlier wedding photos under this forum, I believe it is not difficult for you to recognise the double happiness symbol. This photograph is the wedding photograph of my grandfather and grandmother. My grandmother is now over 90 years old and staying with my auntie (my father's only sister in Brisbane, Australia). In Chinese weddings, you will also notice that flowers are abundant like any other weddings around the world. A second wedding photo (undated) is another (unidentifid wedding couple. One interesting thing to note is the carpet they are standing on. At the centre of the picture: It looks like two peacocks facing each other. Warmest Re…

In this last part of the Chinese ceremony: 1. Home prayers are conducted by a Taoist priest. In the first picture, if you look carefully in one of the pictures, you will see that the man (wearing a white shirt) has a square piece of cloth held by a pin on his left short sleeeve of his shirt. Traditionally, Chinese wear a piece of square cloth on their clothing and the colour of the cloth deplicts the relationship with the dead. The piece of square cloth is worn during the period of mourning. During the mourning period, family members must not wear colourful clothings but white or black clothings. Notice also in the first picture that family members are wearing the straw…

On reaching the gravesite, 1. The coffin is lowered. The first picture (lowering of coffin) shows clearly the profile of the front shape of a typical traditional Chinese coffin. For the bedroom, it is not auspicious to have a headboard that looks like this side view of a Chinese coffin. 2. The next step is as shown in Part 1, the dotting of the eyes of the portrait of the dead. 3. A ceremony is performed prior to the lowering and covering up of the coffin. If you logged in to the forum, please click on the attached photo views. Warmest Regards, Cecil

I like to share with everyone my family photos on the burial cremony of my grandfather. Date of pictures 1962 In Part 1, you will see:- 1. The burial procession It starts with the funeral procession starting from my grand father's uncompleted extension to the home. The funeral procession will lead to the burial site. 2. An interesting ceremony of `placing' eyes to the portrait of my grand father. The portrait will be placed at home at an alter. This is commonly called Ancestor Worship. Dotting the eyes would ensure that the dead have eyes so that he can `see'. The picture will show the eldest son who has to carry his father's photo on his back. Did you also notice the st…

[Cross posted from the conference: Chinese Culture (General}] Although not all spiders are harmless, the Chinese consider it as one of the Five poisonous `animals'. The five poisonous animals are: The spider, snake, scorpion, centipide and toad. These animals symbolise plagues and drought. In the past, a charm (please click on the picture attachment below). Please note for viewing purposes the background of the charm is on yellow background. In fact, the background should instead be red. This charm is displayed during the Dragon Boat festival which is on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. On the other hand, in western countries a bat is considered sin…

Dear Users, This is based on a request to find out more about " bungalow " houses. Basically a bungalow is actually a complete house. While a semi-detached house is one where there are two units but each house has a fencing at the middle and perhaps owned by two different owners. I will attach more pictures once I take more of these houses. Warmest Regards, Cecil

The picture below shows the open `slate' staircase. It is better if the staircase is enclosed to allow Qi to flow more "smoothly." Below, Picture size = 4k Credit and Source: The Straits Times, S'pore, 25th December 1999, Pg 8 Life!

This is the answer for the second picture. Did you spot the correct number of the Double Happiness Symbols in the second picture? If yes, congratulations!

[Note: This message contains 4 images. Each image range from 55k to 27k] 1. In modern times, Chinese Red Packets or Hong Bao (in Mandarin) and Ang Pow (in Hokkien) are given by married couples to their elders and to children of relatives and friends and unmarried family members during Chinese New Year. *Joke* The advantage is to remain single and unmarried. Here, the parents or relatives may continue to give you yearly Red packets. -But in real life, this is True- 2. Remember if one gives a Hong Bao to give money in `pairs' e.g. $2, $4, $10 etc... Never give money in odd numbers e.g. $1, $3 etc... This signifies loneliness. 3. It is common especially for Banks, businessne…

[Note: This message contains 5 images. Image size are between 3k to 35k each] 1. Modern Chinese New Year cards comes in diverse art form. Some Chinese New Year cards are with totally red background from the front cover, to the inside page and back. 2. Some of these cards are also scented with perfume. 3. There are other cards with art work and background colours. Overall, majority of the cards always have a significance or meaning either in the picture or wordings used or a combination of both. Here are some typical samples:- Below, Picture 1, size = 23k Above, Source and Credit: Kuo Tai, Taiwan Below, Picture 2, size = 35k Above, Source and Credit: Unidentified Belo…

[Note: There are three images in this message. Each image is approximately 23k in size] These pictures were commonly found on Chinese New Year cards especially in the 1950's and 1960's:- Picture 1 below:- Picture 2 below:- Picture 3 below:-

Below, front cover, image size = 47k of a `pink' Chinese Wedding Card What we can understand after seeing the four samples of Chinese Wedding Invitation cards are:- 1. Traditional Chinese Wedding Invitation cards are Red and (newer cards) in Pink background. 2. All cards have the Double Happiness calligraph either in the modern form (wordings) or the traditional design. 3. Some traditional cards have a picture of the Phoenix (Female) and Dragon (Male). Thus you can understand why Red is considered an auspicious colour for the Chinese. However, many Chinese who are Christians, do use White Wedding Invitation card especially if it is a wedding at a church.

[Note: There are two images in this message. Image 1 size = 27k and Image 2 size = 67k] Below, Front cover of a wedding invitation card (image size = 27k):- Above: Source & Credit - NTUC Pasir Ris Resort Below, Inside page of a wedding invitation card (image size = 67k):- Above: Source & Credit - NTUC Pasir Ris Resort

[Note: This message contains two images: Image 1 size = 84k and Image 2 size = 71k] 1. This wedding card is Pink in colour. 2. At the back of the card, there is a Double Happiness Sign. 3. The front cover, there is a picture of the typical Phoenix (Female) and Dragon (Male). Front view, image 1 below, size = 84k Image 2 below, size = 71k Source & Credit for both front and back of the Wedding card: Kian Seng Restaurant, Singapore

[Note: There are two images in this message. Image 1 = 27k and Image 2 = 69k] Topic: Chinese Customs Please note that the Double Happiness Sign should be in gold colour. (The scanner cannot properly reflect the gold colour). Below, front cover of Wedding Invitation card, image 1 below, size= 27k Above, cover page: Source & Credit = Carlton Hotel, Singapore Below, Partial inside page / leaf of a typical invitation card. On the left side of the card is the invitation words written in English and on the other side (right) is written in Mandarin. Note the paper used is pink in colour. Below, image size = 69k Above, inside page: Source & Credit = Carlton Hotel, Singa…