Chinese Culture (General)

Further to what I had mentioned:- 1. The see thru pastice rice bin is available to the NTUF Fairprice at SGP$7.90. 2. While the wooden barrel, that symbolises "a traditional" wealth bin costs SGP$33.00 and available at the so called "higher end" or "private" Cold Storage supermarket. 3. Frankly, I am surprised that when it comes to deployment: it does not mean that those who stay in a condo or landed property tend to buy or use Para 2: the wooden "wealth" barrel. 4. On the contrary, I have seen more who stay in a condo uses the more "practical" see thru rectangular bin: In my opinion, most likely due to space constraints and that this see thru is more practical: need…

Thanks. You saved me a third trip to the temple. As I am a Rooster, I will pray on or after the 15th Lunar New Year.

Location: Kim Keat Palm, Toa Payoh Lorong 7

Dear Anon, Chinese food can be classified under Yin or Yang. This can even be further classified into one of the five elements based on taste. Generally, Yin foods are `softer' such as through boiling, steaming etc... Yang foods are fried etc... Chinese food especially in the rural areas are often preserved. For example, lettuce or cabbage is preserved for winter time. As food cannot be kept for too long without spoilage. Thus Chinese do have lots of preserved food such as Chinese susage, pork etc.... But this is not much a choice as food is scarce especially in the country side. This does not mean that they eat `preserved' food all the time. Only during the cold seasons…

This is pre-CNY (Chinese New Year) period. Took photos of this very useful guide to the names and photos of plants. Don't know who owns the chart but it seems; Giant always bring out this chart, yearly. So I guess the copyright belongs to them. Source and Credit: Location: Giant Hypermart, Tampines Ave 10; Singapore.

Frankly, such questions need someone to follow through on a person's birth-date; analyse and evaluate the information..... I am afraid, it is beyond this Free GENERAL advice forum.

Dear Vincent, 1. If you have not purchased the painting(S), it is advisable not to place a painting of a water feature in the bedroom (if you can). 2. This is because one `incompatiblity' is because, water positions (real water or symbolic represents Yin elements. Too much water results in too Yin elements). 3. The bedroom is in general, suppose to be more Yin than Yang. (Yin represents rest and Yang activity). 4. Some other FS practitioners would say that too much water i.e. even in paintings especially placed in the room may cause difficulty as too much water itself represents difficulty. 5. This is why, for example, advise is usually not to have a water position at t…

Dear Anon, 1. Yes, this is quite true for some overly superstitious Chinese. 2. Not all Chinese belief in this but there are some who considered it inauspicious to use water from the bathroom. 3. Anyway, these are just a `small group' of Chinese. 4. In modern times, so long as the water comes from the tap, many fish lovers have instead, collected water from the rain or use tap water. But if tap water is used, the water is not immediately poured into the fish tank but kept for several days (in order for the flouride and other neutralising agents to settle). Some hobbist even purchase neutralising agents and add a few drops to the water to neutralise this. So that the wate…

Dear Anon, Please see below:- It certainly made sense for babies to wear old clothes especially their own siblings clothes. I remembered at the time when pampers were not `invented' yet. Once upon a time, we use to use cotton nappies. It does make sense to `re-use' those that were purchased for an earlier sibling. Or even those given by relatives. In my personal opinion, this makes practical sense. As an adult, if you were to ask me, I would prefer to wear those that I bought because, we are not growing so do not need to buy clothes so often. Anyway, the only belief is that one should not wear torn clothes even if it is one's personal clothings. Frankly, being s…

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 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

This feature wall showing a procession of a traditional Chinese wedding. The feature wall is part of a restaurant's welcoming mural. Location: Vivo City. Very unique mural. Symbolically; the procession seems auspicious. As it looks like a crowd of people "marching" into the restaurant! Thus, seems meaningful.

Dear Users, We have created this conference so that users who are also interested in learning more about Chinese culture can post their queries here. Often many Chinese believes are often mistaken or linked to Feng Shui. Thus, we have decided to put a separate conference to help identify and separate issues. Warmest Regards Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Yes, in my opinion, quite alot of Chinese doctors, do approach their work in a holistic way. It is also because, the patients are receptive to them and give them lots of respect. In fact, majority of the time, one reason is because, some of these doctors operate their own pharmacy i.e. or medical hall. Here, their clinic is like a pharmacy and if they have the time, would explain or at least answer the questions. In my opinon, we should not say that Western medicine VS Chinese medicine but rather, they can co-exist with each other. In the past, many people have very high respects for Chinese doctors and this respect gives comfort to many who tend to open up to …

Dear Anon, One can still generally apply the concept: "If one cannot see it, it no longer becomes a threat." The earlier `issue' was torns on the stalk of rose or the saying goes, "a rose amongst the thorns or a thorn amongst the rose?" Usually, if it is just roses etc.. this would be acceptable. More so if the rose is red. Red is considered an auspicious colour to the Chinese. Thus, there should not be an issue here. Warmest Regards, Cecil

There is this saying from ancient Chinese. Here goes:- That man is ruled by the numerology Eight: 1. At 8 months, we get our milk teeth. 2. At 8 years, we lose our milk teeth. 3. At double Eights (2 x 8 = 16) we become a man. 4. At 8 x 8 we age...and ... most of us wait for our turn... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Contrary to (I believe) popular beliefs, traditional Chinese `sweets' are a modern invention. With more modern life styles, `sweet dishes' abound. But in the past, dinner does not end with `sweet deserts or dishes'. Most popular and well known sweet dishes are the sweet and sour pork. Chinese char siew pow (red sweet meat) filling enclosed in a small round loaf of bread. Traditonally deserts are not common but in more recent times, 8 course or 9 course dinners are served. The last course is usually a desert e.g. sweet yam, logan and almond jelly etc.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Like Russia of the past, China, pay equal emphasis on sports and sports participation even in the Olympics. I believe the strongest sport I can immediately think of is table tennis. This is easily their best area. Plus volleyball etc.. In the last decade or two, they have also excelled in badminton, competition diving and even swimming to name a few. Warmest Regards, Cecil

The Chinese bury their day on "Yang" days i.e. on odd numbered days e.g. 3 days after death, 5, 7, 9 days etc...

Dear Anon, For those who are interested to learn about the Kings and Queens, can for example purchase or rent the show called " The Last Emperor ". I believe the lead actor is John Lone. This show traces the life of the Last Emperor of China. I believe the last king died sometime in 198x (correct me if I am wrong). When the last king set on the throne, he was only a boy. In fact contrary to popular belief, Empress Dowager, during his reign was running the Kingdom and managing the affairs. One reason why their is a rise and fall of empires is attributed to time dimension. A burial site may be auspicious at certain periods but become less auspicious in the next period. Simi…

Dear Anon, 1. It should be `charcoal' instead of coal. 2. Usually, this is kept inside a built in cabinet e.g. in the kitchen together with the charocal stove indefinitely. (Especially for at least one year). Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. When we see "KUM" (minature mandarin orange)trees.. it simply meansChinese New Year is around the corner! 2. It is strongly not recommended to eat the fruits as these trees were "artifically" fertilised to yield a bumper harvest of minature "KUMs". 3. These minature mandarin oranges should only be admired but thus not eaten. Treat them as ornamental plant with fruits.