Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Brenda, 1. In Feng Shui, one should not look to `dominate'. 2. A much nicer sounding word would be a binding element i.e. an element that can bind the two persons together. 3. For information, there is a Free report: Comparison Report (to be used inconjunction with version 7.0 of Pillars of destiny report). 4. Here, you simply select the Person A and Person B's particulars for comparison. 5. Advise is given on which is the best binding element for the two persons. 6. I have always used this module to generate reports and advise the clients especially on what colors to `bind' them in locations both spent time at especially their bedroom. The report is at http://www.g…

Dim Sum Facts Dim Sum originated with the Cantonese in Southern China. While it started as a snack, it has now become a stable of Chinese dining culture. It is treated as a meal where friends and families gather together to have a relaxing and happy dining experience. The serving sizes of dim sum are small and often come in 3 and 4 pieces. Because of the small serving sizes, one can try a huge variety of food. Eating dim sum ar a restaurant is usually known in Cantonese as going To "drink Tea" (yum Cha), as tea is typically served with dim sum. Traditionally dim sum includes various types of steam buns such …

Dear Anon, 1. In a documentary which I had seen around 6 months ago, it hightlighted the `plight' of aids spreading across China. 2. In that documentary, it is quite scary to learn that at least a few million Chinese (in a nearly 1 billion population) has aids. The aids in China had spread especially in cities and the `exploition' girls into prostitution in the cities. It is no suprise because of the opening up of China, money plays an essential role and acts as a catalyst for the poorer Chinese girls who wants a better life. 3. Thus, I believe, all countries both in Africa and all continents have a huge burden on aids. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. The Chinese are very particular about phonetics or `sound like.. '. 2. For example, the Chinese dialect group: Cantonese, do not like number 4 because, to them it is `die'. 3. While number 8 to that is `Fatt' or prospher. 4. Unfortunately, the Chinese phonetic meaning for butterfly implies a person in his seventies. Which means `old age' or about to die. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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

Dear Anon, In the past, arranged marriages are very common. Couples were even paired up as young as 12 years and below. From my personal opinion, I have seen many cases of arranged marriages that are successful. I have yet to see any ended in divorce (so far). Perhaps, because, divorce is a `taboo' and a `shame'. In the past, even if the wife was severely beaten or `ill' treated by (more so by their in-laws) she still patiently `waits' or attends to her husband. Nowadays, as more and more Chinese ladies enter the workforce, are pretty modernized and the divorce rate can match the statistics of any other western countries. More... For the Chinese, usually when the girl ma…

Dear Anon, Fortunately or unfortunately, Chinese Valentine day is seldom known by the Chinese. I believe many Chinese are not aware that there is such a date especially the young. Often than not, if their parents do not celebrate an event, the child, from a young age to courtship age would have never known of it nor its existence. Thus, only commercialisation can create such an awareness. In Singapore, because of western influence and many of us study English, (ENGLISH) Valentine day is commercialised to the extent that restaurants, boutiques etc.. publish it widely. And fortunately, they will try to get a pie of the business. So, if one day, many companies start to pu…

Dear Anon, Attached please find a recent article on the use of handphones and internet in Mainland China.

Dear Anon, Usually, this applies to family owned companies where the patriot e.g. founder believe strongly in Chinese astrology. Here, more importantly, new venture partners are checked discretely by their regular Geomancers. Warmest Regards, Cecil

To help better understand the relationship of Korea and China, here is another extract of Korea-China relations. Credit and Source: Britannica.com Yi Dynasty also called CHOSON DYNASTY, the last and longest-lived imperial dynasty (1392-1910) of Korea. Founded by General Yi Song-gye, who established the capital at Hanyang (present-day Seoul), the kingdom was named Choson after the state of the same name that had dominated the Korean peninsula in ancient times. But the regime is also frequently referred to as the Yi dynasty, after its ruling family. General Yi established close relationships with the neighbouring Ming dynasty (1368-1644) of China, which considered Korea a …

Dear Anon, The best example would be Taiwan. Many Chinese fled to Taiwan from mainland China after the near defeat of Nationalist Army defeat is a good example. For other overseas Chinese, in the past, prior to the Communist rule i.e. many Chinese wanted to seek better pastures overseas. Thus, many Chinese immigrated to neighbouring countries like Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia in the hope of making money. Many Chinese, the poorer ones would make money and remit it to their loved ones in China especially in the 1800s to 1940s. Many Chinese are thus very successful in their adopted country. Majority of them control vast empires of commerce and the wholesale, middlema…

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, 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 Anon, As most of us are aware, Chinese who migrated overseas to escape the communist rule are considered more affluent than those on mainland China. These group of Chinese (those who had migrated overseas) have been exposed to food from other culture. A very good example is in my country and even neigbouring countries. As we have a diverse mix of race e.g. Chinese, Malays, Bugis people, Indians, Eurasians and others.. you will find lots of type of food available. The Chinese is `known' to eat anything even exotic food if given the opportunity. Depending on where one is born, some prefer spicy and hot food i.e. lots of chillies, chilli padies etc.. while others eat m…

Dear Anon, Chinese women do smoke but they are fewer than males. So far, in my opinion, I personally came across very few if any Chinese women (who had smoked to an elderly age). On the contrast, I know of many Chinese men, who even smoke at the age of 80+ or more. I personally cannot understand why, but in my lifetime, I can recall at least 8 to 10 elderly persons (male) who continue to smoke but yet did not die because of it. I know that some of them smoke quite heavily. Maybe, I may be mistaken but, so far, I know they died of old age i.e. 80 to 90 plus. Perhaps, I am not sure why they did not die from e.g. cancer etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

This is article about a ghost and trees. I hope you find it interesting.

Dear Anon, No, I believe this is not true if not, pears are still very commonly found in retail or supermarket outlets. In my country, we do import `China' pears and others coming from Austraila etc... Being inauspicious as gifts does not necessary mean, it is not consumed. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Every few months, some Chinese temples releases "life" from birds to...erh.... latest.. cockles???

Dear Anon, 1. A `popular' painting is an eagle perched on a pine tree. This is considered a suitable gift for an elderly person: 1.1. the eagle represents strength. 1.2. the pine tree represents longevity. 2. Thus the significance of the painting is symbolic of strength and longevity for the elderly. 3. Given the above combined significance, it should not be considered inauspicious to keep `an eagle' inside that house because it is a predatory bird. Thus, with many books comes various opinions and on the final analysis, each of us have to form our own judgements. In my opinion, such a painting, with its combined significiance should not be considered inauspicious. In Eur…

Imagine, understand not only Feng Shui but learn Chinese characters!