Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, Yes, in my opinion, this is indeed a true statement. 1. Currently in mainland China, where they have a `one' child family planning, there are many articles that mentioned the problem where the ratio of males babies are higher than female babies. Such articles, do mention that many parents had either aborted or killed/murdered female babies secretly. 2. To understand why this is happening, one can take clue to this: Chinese grand parents and even parents have a social pressure to give birth to baby boys. Why? This is because only the males can `carry' their family name. For example, the grand father's Surname is Tang, only a male child born to him can carry on …

Dear Anon, This is a really good observation. 1. Ever since you posted this message, I was thinking hard and when I take my lunch or dinner, try to see if the food contains milk. 2. The only food, I recalled selling at Food Courts in Singapore is `Fish head bee hoon' or bits of fishes with noodles. This dish is `milky' and from what I understand, milk was added to the soup. This is why it becomes `white' and milky. As I lived all this while in Singapore and familar with Malaysia, from my observation, correct me if I am wrong, we I believe a `better' alternative i.e. coconut milk. Recent years, coconut milk is considered bad for health or the heart and one should cut dow…

Dear Anon, I believe the older generation of Chinese, arranged marriages are very common. My parents have arranged marriages. There's is not the arrange marriage where it is determined from birth but rather later years of their life where my grandfather saw the `need' for my father to get married. I believed, he asked a matchmaker to find a match for my dad. When I was young, my parents used to bring us to visit relatives and close friends. I recalled one close friend of my family who said that she was invited to her prospective in-laws home. She was viewed from top to toe. The in-laws also looked at the type of `bone structure' and the `shape' of her legs. In a `crude w…

Dear Anon, I remember Raymond Lo, did his own analysis of Bruce Lee's death in one of his Pillars of Destiny (on people) book. I don't have the book. You can search for it. I believe he explained it based on Pillars of Destiny. I believe, this analysis was done without mention of the position of his father's grave. Yin Feng Shui or Feng Shui for the death in relation to the location and position of graves are in my opinion, equally important in Feng Shui. Cremation is considered " neutral " and does not `impact' on the decendants. If you ask many Traditional FS Masters/Practioners, they do believe in the proper sitting of an ancestor's grave. I vaguely remember that som…

Dear Anon, This depends on the country they stay. I believe that nowadays in China, the incident of pet dogs got stolen is minimal. Mostly, these are stray dogs where some mainland Chinese catch and eat. Otherwise, there are few exotic shops that trade in or buy dog meat. The Shitzu (I hope I spelt correctly) this intelligent dog `originated' from China. In my country, you will be surprised to learn that many are prepared to buy expensive imported pedigree dogs as pets. Dogs are not openly eated here. In Singapore, the Malay race, instead do not rear dogs at all because they find them dirty. Nor do they eat pork as they felt that this is a `dirty' animal. In other countr…

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, Most couples are happy with the coming of the Dragon year. To the Chinese, it is considered auspicious to have a child born under the Dragon Year. I mentioned earlier that since this will be a popular year, there will be stiff competition when the child goes to School. Some schools even have to arrange to expand their classes or add an additional class room. One thing about Zi Wei Dou Shu or Chinese Astrology is like it's cousin the Western version of Astrology, it can try to `paint' the story for what is coming but it does not have the ability to provide a solution or cure for an individual. For example, under Pillars of Destiny, if under next year's luck pil…

Dear Anon, In my opinion, there is no significance of planting red chilly plants such as `chilli padis' which are the hottest type of chillies. Those that are similar to Tabasco source but because of the high vinega content in Tabasco, it is really not as hot as those small chilli plants that some Chinese love to plant and of eat. I believe, the edible ones are planted so that they can be plucked and eated during lunch or dinner. These plants grow chillies very fast and plucking them often helps more chillies to grow. For the non-edible ones.. I am not too sure. Frankly, I have not seen a non-edible one locally. Perhaps, the owners would not bother to plant them at all. …

Dear Anon, Whether `red soil' is considered auspicious or inauspicious has more to do with a person's belief than Feng Shui. Most of us would have guessed that red soil if `wrongly' interpreted could mean that `bad blood' has been spilled on the ground. In Singapore, we previously have a location or hill that has this type of soil. Today, the estate is known as ` Redhill ' which literally means that there was indeed a hill with red soil at this location. Many government housing block flats were built on top of this region. I believe there are no inherent effects for the residents living there. In Feng Shui, a Traditional Master would instead look at the grain of sand on …

Dear Anon, I agree with your statement that it takes lot of time and extensive research and the hardest part in translation is to interpret what was said correctly. The key essence is to complete all the translations and interpretation before one should apply the theories. Sometimes the information is no longer relevant and how does one differentiate these. In the past, a Chinese Emperor was said to have kept Feng Shui theories to himself and got his officials to plant `false' works on Feng Shui. There was even the suggestion that at one time, the Imperial Palace was constructed on `false' Feng Shui. You would have guessed, it burned down. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Perhaps is it because the Chinese husbands are afraid of being hen-pecked? *JOKE* 2. In my opinion, this is not true. Many Chinese wifes often buy chickens without emphasis on whether they are hens or roosters. Some even have preference for eating hens than roosters. So, far, not yet. I yet to see a Chinese lady hold up a chicken and look closely at its head or start prodding it's backside to find out if it is a hen or rooster. 3. But I have read that some Chinese chefs are particular about the age of the chickens. I read recently that some Chinese chefs who had opened a famous Chinese eatery servicing `Hainanese chicken' found the chickens not suitable bec…

Dear Anon, I believe, not only the Chinese but Anglo-Saxons, Celtic etc... do give importance to dragons. Many of their flags or symbols have dragons on them. Likewise, the Chinese also in their own way give importance to dragons. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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

Dear Anon, Follow this interesting link to Introduction to Falun Gong (Falun Dafa):- http://www.mindspring.com/~falun/home1.html For a balanced view of the site, you can also visit China's website site which is titled - "Further Expose and Critize the Cult:- China.com, a different perspective Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Nowadays, figurines of " Kuan Kung " are displayed (usually) in the living room. Since most houses have only one living room, perhaps this is why it was mentioned that they be kept `close' to the Fu Lu Shou figurines. It is considered `not auspicious' for such figurines to be kept in the bedroom or even the study room. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, From what I understand: 1. During the communist rule, although Feng Shui was `abolished', some of the elite in the Communist party continue to apply Feng Shui practises. 2. Today, and even in communist China, poorer quality Luopans were manufactured in China. 3. I understand that a small percentage of houses for the elite and even business of the People Liberation Army (PLA) which at one time owns a substantial number of business used Feng Shui. 4. Many Feng Shui practioners believe that the Bank of China building in Hong Kong had been seen by a Feng Shui Master as the building comprises two elements. 5. With the relaxation of communist rule, I believe, more an…

Dear Carrie, Yes, the hours are in consecutive order. Starting from the Rat hour, going one circle to the Pig hour. Please refer to the page: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/time.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil

[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 …

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 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, 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 dragon year only begins on 5th February 2000. I believe, the 2000 couples got married has to do with millennium celebration. Warmest Regards, Cecil