Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, In my personal opinion, these small magnets are the least of our worries (in terms of applying Feng Shui). It is quite common to find even coca cola small magnets or other colorful ones placed on the fridge. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Another popular Chinese delicacy is chicken's feet. This article shares light into this Chinese delicacy which the west considers `worthless' i.e. they are usually thrown away. Warmest Regards Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, In the past, before the communist rule in China, arranged marriages are common. But for the Chinese, arranged marriages are usually between young children and not to elderly grand fathers. The exception is during the dynasty periods e.g. Ching, Ming dyansties where the emperor has many concubines. Today, there are fewer arranged marriages in China. And more parents have taken a modern approach in letting their children choose a partner. One interesting thing to note is that if one looks at the population profile of China especially those below 25 years old, one can see a noticable imbalance i.e. that there are more Males than Females in the population. This is…

Dear Anon, So far, China has come to grip with economic development and thus the focus on most people's mind is to make `money' and security for their family. Many Chinese at the moment are simply `struggling' and not so fluent to be involved in cults. So far, Chinese government view the Fa Long Kong cult a threat and another major `gang' as threats to the fabric of the society. Otherwise, the country can be considered relatively free from `cults'. In the past, especially in overseas Chinese, such as Hong Kong and even Singapore, secret societies were more prevalent especially in the 1950's; 1960's and 1970's due to the poorer economic situation in such countries. Today…

Dear Anon, Quite recently, there was a news article on divorce in China. The main cause of what I read was that the men in China are getting more `well off' and some of these men engaged in illict affairs. Usually, the women are more forgiving but usually it is the men who initiated the divorce. Divorce is indeed an `ugly' word all over the world. It leaves a scar on the innocent child or children. Yes, based on what I read, divorce is gaining a foothold and increasingly place an impact on the family unit in China. Usually, the poor wife has difficulty getting child support and may need to work to raise their child in China or she may instead get support from her close re…

Dear Spring, I have also done some research and trying to see if I can find something. But currently, I have not found subject relating to webbed feet. Will let you know if I found anything on this. Anyway, what is beautiful in life is in our `heart' and what we make full use of our life:) Overall, for the feet, based on the outline, it can also be classified under one of the five elements: Fire (pointed...especially the pointed toes) , Water (wavy), Earth (squarish) and Metal (roundish feet). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Yes, usually, chopsticks (for eating) i.e. placed on a dining table should preferably be placed on horizontal. In restaurants and some home, a small chopstick stand e.g. a porcelain shaped fish or other objects is used. The front portion of the chopstick is resting on this `stand'. As for placing chopsticks vertical on a dining table, so far, it usually cannot be done unless it is placed in a cup or glass. But this seems `rude' and so far never in my life, did I see such a thing before. Usually, in a restaurant, a porcelian recptacle is used where many chopsticks are kept prior to `displaying' them on dining tables. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In my opinion, there is some truth in what you had mentioned although it does not have to do with auspicious or inauspiciousness. The reason is because, as many villages and places have abundance of wood (material), it is natural to obtain common and cheap objects (yet strong and sturdy) such as bamboos etc... At the same time, objects especially display stands are usually made of wood as they can easily be carved with intricate designs. Many homes usually display e.g. an elaborate vase with a wooden stand. Few if any of such stands are made of metal. Under the Five Elements concept: Wood destroys or control Earth. Thus, in terms of balance, one would realise …

Dear Anon, It is a common practice for Chinese to place figurines of Gods and deities facing `outwards' rather than inwards into a home. The rationale is the belief that e.g. it would not be appropriate for a altar to face a bedroom or a toilet or other `rooms'. This is because, e.g. bedrooms are considered `dirty' locations e.g. the place where some of us change our clothes... marriage couples induldge in intimacies etc... It is thus considered not appropriate for these figurines to face `inwards' into the home. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, I believe you have brought up an interesting question:) Case 1 1. Let me share with you a recent case (showing the `non-importance' of unforuntately `women' ... on another issue.. 2. Recently, there is this case where this wealthy Chinese died. 3. In his will he asked that only after his last wife died and after 20 years later can then his wealth be distributed amongst his decendants. (Usually, this are his grand-children or later..). 4. In his will he specifically asked that none of his wealth can be distributed to the `daughters' of his children. As he felt that they `do not' belong to his family. (The assumption that `girls' would get married and later belo…

Dear Elena, 1. No, the Chinese traditionally do not hang a horsehose. 2. Even today, in my opinion, I have yet to see a typical Chinese family doing it. 3. More commonly, the Chinese hang a piece of red cloth (with auspicious characters) over the main entrance. 4. It is also common to find a pair of lanterns hung on each side of the door. 5. More... The horse has been around in China for a long time and ancient diggings have discovered beautifully carved horse figurines. The horseshoe design is used widely at graves and also the recent development which I mentioned " The Tropica " under the Topic- Photo Tours of Interest with pictures. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In very early years before China had exchanges with the West, you will be surprised to learn that many missionaries had infact introduced and translated many of China's culture, history, classics especially works by Confucius. For example, Matteo Ricci, who was an Italian missionary had infact translated several books into Latin in 1590s. Since his time, many famous scholars and writers had taken much effort in translating Chinese works into English. Such famous scholars include: Lin Yutang, James Legge who is an English writer. Another famous transalter is Richard Wilhem, a German Scholar. These scholars had infact translated several volumes of the famous Chi…

Dear Anon, Last hear, I saw a documentary where for example, some British hospitals have adopted acupuncture inconjunction with western medicines. I understand that many years back gingseng plant has been cultivated in US and this has medicinal properties. Nowadays, when we Chinese go to a Chinese herbal shop, we can easily ask for the cheaper US ginseng. In fact, if one goes to a Chinese hospital today, many traditional herbs are used. It goes down to the root of Yin and yang concept. Where, for example, each ailment can be explained as being too yang or too yin. In such a situation, a remedy or herbs which can be classified into yin or yang is prescribed. (What I menti…

Dear Jen, Please see below:- Such objects normally should be treated as decorative items. However, it it really makes one feel good; then, this can be coined as Man (human) luck and not Feng Shui. Are we so sure that `X' marks the spot is our wealth sector? Be it, fire, metal, wood, earth or water. As mentioned above, perhaps if the above gives one a psychological happiness, or hope, then, it should be classified under Man (human) luck. Usually, we often feel good for a short duration. When there seems to be no result, one fine day, such objects may be `chucked' aside or simply renegated into a display cabinet. Worse still, kept away in the closet. Warmest Regards, Ce…

Human Luck is one of the factors which can help to improve your Heaven Luck and even Earth Luck. ie. Say you are a weak person and your life is always following your inauspicious path. Does it mean that you will be bound to have very inauspicious life? No. This is because you can actually borrow someone else luck to boost your own luck. In Feng Shui your Children is your greatest Wealth. Many times people nowadays always relates Wealth to physical money. However, in Feng Shui it is your Children which represents wealth. Why? Simply, if you educate and bring up your children, they will in turn look after you when you are old. So, say if you bring up 3 very filial children…

In addition to my previous remarks, this message should be easily comprehensible to most Singaporean Chinese, with Hokkien being the predominant Chinese community. Teochews are also likely to grasp this message without difficulty. If you were to send it to a Taiwanese friend, it is generally acceptable, as most Taiwanese are either Hokkiens or have been raised with this language. However, if you send it to a friend from Hong Kong, it may not be as easily understood, since the majority of the Chinese dialect group there is Cantonese. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi Anon, Anonymous wrote: I would like some advice please on whether placing photographs of my daughter and her partner in the relationship corners of my rooms will help them heal a rift in their relationship . I so want then to be happy. At present they are apart. I have placed a photograph of them in happy times in the relationship corner of her bedroom, in the sitting room and my office, one photograph i have placed inside a red cd casing. (this one shows them kissing). The hardest area for any third party to help resolve is relationship issues. Frankly, you can only do so much as to create opportunities for the two person to talk it out. Anything, that can help to r…

Dear Julie, Julie Chua wrote: Can you advise me on what are things that have to be done during the giving of the betrothal and dowry gifts as well as during the wedding day itself for a hokkien bride and a cantonese groom? I am referring to the traditional customs itself. Thanks a lot in advance. You can use this link as a guide for most common Traditional Chinese Wedding procedures:- URL: http://www.geomancy.net/products/po-dates/wedding-procedures.pdf Due to different dialect groups, there will still be some variations butI covered most of what is usually done. Warmest Regards Robert Lee GEOMANCY.NET - Center for Applied Feng Shui Research

1. Mandai is already an "established" or has been existence for quite sometime. 2. Usually by now all the major prime sites have been taken up. However, do take into consideration:- 2.1 Afternoon / evening sun If possible, bring along a compass and try to avoid the niche facing or have direct afternoon evening sun shining onto it. Do becareful that the earth axis tilts and for some places, it may be affected by afternoon sun only for the first six months and vice versa. 2.2 Is there any intention to pray or provide offerings often? If so, usually waist height or at eye level is the most important! 2.3 Planning for the "future" 2.4. Some …

Common to find a display space selling all sorts of Chinese sausuages and "waxed" meat e.g. waxed duck, waxed pig meat, waxed chicken, etc...

Pictures taken in November 2007, Shanghai, China

This ayam bua keluk dish is eaten with a plate of rice. The gravy of this dish is "soaked" into the rice, giving it a "nutty" flavour. The alkaline of the bua keluk seed or nut (fruit) is balanced by adding assam to give it more "acidity".

Yes, unfortunately there are two considerations, here: 1. It's a male thing! Unfortunately: our society, still has some taboo's associated with anything related to women. And even if the driver is not the person getting married; surely some unusual questions will arose like: the female driver preferable should not have her monthly period on that day.... etc... 2. Human nature at work (or wrongly at work). We human beings don't like to hear negatives spoken - even if there is relatively no issue. But, so long as one person or two be it one's relative, friends were to comment that this is they "felt" as inauspicious, we start to cast doubts ... 3. Frankly, there is no t…