Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, I cannot say for the more affluent Chinese living in cities who because of their higher income and purchasing power, are in my opinion just as prone to cancer as anyone else. Here, those living in the city have higher rate of e.g. colon cancer. For those who live in the rural areas, I believe their sensible diet e.g. vegetables, poultry, white meat e.g. fish would contribute to better health. I mentioned in a few messages previously that one `secret tool' is to eat with chopsticks. Here, one is forced to eat or bite smaller chunks of food. Rather than gobble down e.g. munching a hamburger. Therefore, I believe, using chopsticks would be good. But of course, o…

Dear Anon, Yes, indeed this is true. Traditional taboo is to keep brooms out of sight on the eve of Chinese New Year. As Chinese New Year lasts 15 days, it is also a taboo especially to take out garbage on the FIRST day of Chinese New Year or sweep the floor. It is also true that one should avoid cutting hair during the entire period of Chinese New Year. In the past, one reason for not cutting hair or been able to cut hair was because many shops (which can afford it) may be closed for the entire period of Chinese New Year. Nowadays, because of commercial reasons and high rental, many shops or saloons cannot afford to close for such a long period. If the hair saloons are…

For those who are interested to find out what the `Fu' graphic illustration looks like, this link will show a picture of an upside down `Fu':- http://www.geomancy.net/on/about.htm

Thank you. 1)After my husband bring all stuffs to the new home, can I come help him to unpack and arrange stuffs? 2) is it ok for my husband to arrange chairs and table when I'm not in the house? 1. Frankly this has nothing to do with Feng Shui. 1.1 There are so many Chinese dialect groups with such a diverse range of individual or even perculiar practices. 1.2 More important, you have to check with your husband's matriach or mother. As often, such things are governed by the mother. 1.3 Thus if your husband's mother gives you blessing to do so.. then go ahead. 1.4 If you ask, even if I said okay, can easily be overruled by the matriach or hubby …

I have been annoyed by this problem for a long time,so thank you for your post, it is really useful for me. __________________________________ share love,share happy,share useful information about http://www.diablo4shop.com and http://www.mmolive.com/

Dear cecil, Can you tell us what each figurine is holding since we cant tell by looking at the picture and also what is the significance of different poses. Thanks.

First foray of getai shows in Orchard Road, Singapore.

In 2011, the Chinese New Year cake costs S$3.25. This year : 2013 it now costs $3.88.

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.

In the past; some Chinese do pray to the Jade Emperor. And on that altar; and on each side of the two front legs of the altar table; they would tie a tall sugar-cane plant on each side of the leg - for luck. Similarly, this Katong Antique house follows another tradition of placing a sugar-cane plant on each side of their main entrance door. Please see photo. Again, this is for "luck".

Dear Anon, 1. Please find pictures of a `small version' of the Chinese Abacus:- 2. The above is a small, abacus. There are larger ones. 3. Usually, they are made of wood. 4. What is the Chinese Abacus? It is a calculator. Where beads are moved up and down and by feel and looking at the beads, complex calculations are made. 6. An expert abacus user can easily calculate numbers faster than one can key in to a modern liquid display calculator. 7. Generally, one can say that the movement of the beads like the computer `bits' and `bytes' i.e. On and off system. 8. In fact, Singapore, introduced the abacus to the schools and this enable students to `fair' better at mathemat…

Under the Chinese Horoscope (zodiac signs); the pig's worst pairing is with the snake!

This altar is located in a coffee shop in an industrial zone (Tampines Industrial Park off Safra Tampines). What makes this altar "unique" is a beautiful back-wall laminated mural that reflects light off it. It also has a typical roof following many traditional altars. Nowadays, such altars are less common in Singapore homes especially those that have a roof above the deity's head.

The eight sided lantern hung in a commercial (restaurant) at West Coast Plaza (formerly Ginza Plaza)

Check out this caricature... http://forum.geomancy.net/phpforum/article.php?bid=2&fid=29&mid=6020&new= As mentioned in one of the past forum messages.. the phonetic sound of shoes is considered inauspicious for the Chinese. Much like it is considered inauspicious to give another Chinese a clock or bell. This is purely based on Customs and beliefs...

Bear meat is darker and fattier than beef, although similar in flavor. The problem with the comparison, though, is that an animal?s diet greatly affects the flavor of its own flesh. Bears that dine mainly on salmon, for example, taste worse than those with a more varied diet.

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, 1. You have brought up a very interesting topic. 2. Being born in Asia, I do get to see or `learn' of the various customs and practises of the Chinese, the Indians and the Malays. 3. For the Indians, it is (if I am not wrong) it is usually the bride's side which has to fork out a dowry. This is to compensate the husband's family for `feeding' the wife. 4. For the Chinese, especially modern Chinese, compensation is usually in the form of asking or negotiating with the bride's side on how many wedding (dinner) tables they require. 5. The parent-in-law usually, will also give jewellery or heirloom to the bride. Such as bracelets, etc... This depends on the wealth…

Dear Glyn, 1. From what I understand, it does not have anything to do with the planetary line up which occured on Friday. 2. The interesting thing is that it is once a year occurence in Korea. Frankly, I find it quite `scary' to stand at the centre or close to the middle. Although the tide will slowly recide, by imagine if water suddenly pours in and covers it up. Yes, I believe it happens only in a specific period and by chance, it occurred on that day. It may happen, a few days prior to it but this could not be predicted. One must be lucky to be there on the occurence. Warmest Regards, Cecil

It was a pity that especially during the cultural revolution years; many people, literally carve graffiti onto the individual bricks of the great wall. Some even use knifes and sharp objects to carve very deep markings on these bricks. Take a look at some of the sample photos... A real pity... fortunately, today... this is not allowed...

Another typical charm for "protection" of the home... Note: paper background is yellow

Fish means "Abundance" in Chinese. This is home-made large Raw Fish and Abalone dish. Full of salmon and abalone and cabbage! Plentiful abalone: no restaurant wants to serve unless pay through the nose.. Fa Cai “hair”. Actually a type of black fungus .. that looks like hair