Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, There is quite a diverse Chinese both in China and many overseas Chinese. Frankly, so far, I did not recall any or many Chinese displaying a picture of an Emperor and Empress. In China, it is `illegal' during the Communist period to display such pictures other than leaders like Mao or Chou Eng Lai. Perhaps, you could have seen pictures of Chinese Gods e.g. God of Wealth. The most popular Gods are the three figures of Fu Lu Shou or Luck, Prosperity and Longevity Gods. A picture of the three Gods are available under the conference: "Photo Tours with Interest." Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In Chinese sword play, some swords are considered Yang (Male) while others are Yin (Female). Therefore, there is some truth in the above statement as I believe, the seven star sword is Yang. In Chinese sword play, sword fighting methods differ for a woman and a man. Some sword fighting methods utilize a Male and Female (in harmonious interaction) and this pair (under a skillful pair) is difficult to beat. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, As there are many Chinese, there are many points of view. The Chrysanthemum plant phonetically called `Ju' or sounds like the number 9 in Mandarin. 9 is represented by Autumn or the 9th month. This plant is thus an `autumn' plant. I guess some people would not like having `autumn' but rather `spring or summer' plants. I believe to some of these people, autumn is like `sun set' or closer to winter. While spring and summer is bright and `alive'. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, It is quite expensive to change doors and windows every year. Unless they are made of material that has a high wear and tear and need replacement yearly. You will be surprised to learn that not many Chinese know the art of Feng Shui especially the Flying Star Theory. In the past, there is a veil of secrecy in Feng Shui. One Chinese Emperor also planted falsehood in Feng Shui for fear that others use it also. It was said that this Emperor kept the real `secrets' of Feng Shui and planted falsehood. This is why, till this day, it is said that not all Feng Shui theories are 100 percent applicable. We must therefore, sieve out the not workable from what is relevan…

Dear Anon, There is a saying that Chinese eat anything with four legs. (And more!) The more expensive delicacies are: 1. abalone 2. broiled sharks fins 3. drunken prawns (life prawns placed in a covered bowl and VSOP poured into it. The prawns got `drunk' in the VSOP). 4. Scallops (at one time) 5. Oysters. (more Westernized Chinese) 6. Peking duck lots more.... Exotic dishes that combined various goodies include " Buddha Jumps over the Wall", suckling pig and lots lots more. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Actually, I am referring to present day Chinese `city' children. Because of the one child policy, some of them are very chubby or rather overweight. This is less so in the rural areas. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Traditional Chinese Festivals are all based on dates of the Lunar Calendar. Similarly, Chinese birthdays are also based on the Lunar Calendar dates. At Geomancy.net, we believe in continuing this tradition by doing all analysis based on the Lunar Calendar System and not the Hsia or Xia Li Calendar. I call the Hsia calendar, a calendar of convenience. (Although, some references are made during computation i.e. the season on the Hsia calendar). Ultimately, the Lunar calendar method is fully used to convert one's Year, Month, Day and Time of birth to the Lunar calendar. The main flaw of the Hsia calendar system (or Hong Kong method) is that it is unable to detect a `blind'…

Dear Anon, The rationale for some people saying that a dragon chair needs a strong person to sit on are: 1. As we are aware, a dragon is considered the Yang(est) of all Yang elements. This could be the reason why some people say that the chair is meant for `strong' people especially the conotation of a male or masculine person. 2. The other reason is because traditionally Chinese emperors are the only ones that are allowed to either wear dragon emblems or have carvings on their throne with dragons (4 or 5 claw ones). The lesser officials can wear "serpents" which are considered `lesser' dragons. In my opinion, this is not fully correct. As I have seen antique chairs a pai…

Dear Anon, 1. Yes there is some truth in not keeping the ancestor pictures facing the dinning room. 2. In my opinion, it is more a belief. One rationale is that it is being disrespectful if we do not offer food. But instead gobble it up. 3. The alternative is that (as a last resort) if some houses are really small, like those found in Hong Kong (very small houses), they may just do that. But here, food or fruits are offered at the altar to "applease the ancestor". The above would help in such circumstances. 4. For your point on SW (Earth element location) and NW (Metal element), there is not much logic in mentioning the two locations. 5. Even if we analyse further, SW is …

Dear Glyn, I totally agree with you with regards to the spoilt brats. Those who are pampered from day one they are born. These spoilt brats do not generally reflect the majority of children that were brought up `properly'. The good ones have good upbringing, filial piety and good social values. One worrying trend is the one child policy implemented in China. Wow you should see the one child family. Some of them are so plump! And pampered by their grand parents. Although one cannot blame China for their one child family due to their size of population. Many parents either abort a baby girl or `kill' them after they were born. There is an imbalance of births i.e. more boys …

Dear Anon, 1. Nowadays, with land scarcity, more people go for cremation. 2. The funeral procession remains unchanged till today. Instead of `bringing' the dead or leading him/her to the burial grounds by musicians clanging bells etc..., the dead is lead to the crematoria. 3. Usually a separate ceremony is conducted after the ashes of the dead has been collected. 4. The `dotting' of the eyes on the portrait is less commmon today. Few people follow this, as one would later have to continue `ancestor' worship i.e. place the portrait on an alter in the home. Offer incense etc... and prepare offerings during periods like Cheng Meng etc... 5. Burial sites such as the one show…

Dear Anon, This is an interesting question. I believe, today, we do live longer thanks to modern science. Not only for the Chinese but mankind all over the world. If we talk specifically about useful Chinese practises that help one to prolong life, these include:- 1. Using a pair of Chop sticks Hey! What has Chop sticks got to do with health? One comment is that because one use a chop stick to pick food and eat it, one is thus forced to eat smaller pieces of food. I believe this has been `documented' or highlighted as a good practice. 2. Traditionally, Chinese food is very healthy It depends on the region one is in but overall traditional Chinese food is healthy. Not lik…

Dear Anon, The Chinese do not differentiate between the frog and the toad. Toads and frogs are commonly found in agricultural locations in China e.g. in padi fields. Chinese use the frog as medicine and for dieting. The rational is because of the shiny surface of the frog which the Chinese call it the dew of heaven. The frog is also called the heavenly chicken. (Toads are left out of this picture because they are poisonous. I am glad that you asked for the `story' of the Three-legged toad. It will help many users understand why the Three-legged toad became a `commercial object'. There are two versions to the story:- 1. A Chinese Immortal Lui Hai was said to live in the er…

Dear Anon, Apologise for the late response. The peacock symbolises beauty and dignity. Its feathers were used as decorations ofr meritous deeds. Often, the picture of a peacock with a full spread of its tail is part of a congratulation message on the opening of a shop. Under the Manchu rule in China, peacock features were used as an insignia denoting a rank. In paintings it is denotes an official of the court. To both the Chinese and Christians, it is said to be able to drive away evil spirits. It was later that the peacock with wrongly asociated with pride through its beautiful plume and love for displaying it. Warmest Regards, Cecil Christians

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Dear cecil, The plums are purple in color and they do not look like gold. ( I am referring to plum like in plum sauce). Thanks.

[Note: Cross posted from the conference: Try these Fun Polls] Pictures of the Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong can be found under this URL:- http://www.bankofchina.com/english/bank/bankf3c.htm -------- Original Message ------- Message cross posted from conference: Chinese Culture Dear cecil, I read in couple of books that bank of china resembles a knife and posses threat to the surrounding building since knife cuts through surrounding building. Is this correct. Thanks. --------- End of Message --------- What do you think? Although you have not seen the neighbouring building, however, do try to make a guess! Do you think that the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong …