Chinese Culture (General)

Common to find a display space selling all sorts of Chinese sausuages and "waxed" meat e.g. waxed duck, waxed pig meat, waxed chicken, etc...

Closer to the Chinese New Year, commercial items includes things like naming pumpkins and hulus (bottle gourds) as "lucky items".

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

1. Mandai is already an "established" or has been existence for quite sometime. 2. Usually by now all the major prime sites have been taken up. However, do take into consideration:- 2.1 Afternoon / evening sun If possible, bring along a compass and try to avoid the niche facing or have direct afternoon evening sun shining onto it. Do becareful that the earth axis tilts and for some places, it may be affected by afternoon sun only for the first six months and vice versa. 2.2 Is there any intention to pray or provide offerings often? If so, usually waist height or at eye level is the most important! 2.3 Planning for the "future" 2.4. Some …

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

Hi Anon, Anonymous wrote: I would like some advice please on whether placing photographs of my daughter and her partner in the relationship corners of my rooms will help them heal a rift in their relationship . I so want then to be happy. At present they are apart. I have placed a photograph of them in happy times in the relationship corner of her bedroom, in the sitting room and my office, one photograph i have placed inside a red cd casing. (this one shows them kissing). The hardest area for any third party to help resolve is relationship issues. Frankly, you can only do so much as to create opportunities for the two person to talk it out. Anything, that can help to r…

No worries, Robert, just hoping to get any info from somebody who is into face reading too. It's hard to find a good resourcesimilar togeomancy.net for other areas. Thanks! Robin

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...

Source: The Straits Times, Wednesday January 19, 2005, Page 5 ============================================ Extract: "a red mourning armband is to show respect to an elderly..... In Chinese tradition, red mourning bands are worn by great-grandchildren...."

Woww... So many things. Anyway, i am glad tat i've you around me Thank YOU... enjoy ur weekend! See you, Mui Ing

In addition to my previous remarks, this message should be easily comprehensible to most Singaporean Chinese, with Hokkien being the predominant Chinese community. Teochews are also likely to grasp this message without difficulty. If you were to send it to a Taiwanese friend, it is generally acceptable, as most Taiwanese are either Hokkiens or have been raised with this language. However, if you send it to a friend from Hong Kong, it may not be as easily understood, since the majority of the Chinese dialect group there is Cantonese. Warmest Regards, Cecil

The Malaysian Prime Minister's view about why Malaysia is not afraid of China's rise to power.... The morale of the story: Like all (most) people in the world; Yes, there are suicides.. but NO, Chinese don't strap themselves with explosives and blow-up themselves AND THE INNOCENT.

1. Although we all know that a vehicle/car is wasting asset, one has to really open our eyes that the price Singaporeans pay for a car. 2. I believe, this will come as a shock to readers outside of Singapore. 3. This is one of the rationale why, I mentioned that boys in Singapore may end up asking their parents: " Daddy, can you give me money to buy a car?" Please note that the average exchange rate for Singapore S$1.00 is equal to US$1.70. Average prices (Source and Credit: The Highway magazine, July 2003) All prices are for brand new cars on the road: BMW: BMW318i (Auto) S$149,000 BMW520i (Auto) S$179,000 FORD: Mondeo 5dr (Auto) S$102,900 Galaxy Ghia 2.3 (Auto) S$123,90…

Dear Jen, Please see below:- Such objects normally should be treated as decorative items. However, it it really makes one feel good; then, this can be coined as Man (human) luck and not Feng Shui. Are we so sure that `X' marks the spot is our wealth sector? Be it, fire, metal, wood, earth or water. As mentioned above, perhaps if the above gives one a psychological happiness, or hope, then, it should be classified under Man (human) luck. Usually, we often feel good for a short duration. When there seems to be no result, one fine day, such objects may be `chucked' aside or simply renegated into a display cabinet. Worse still, kept away in the closet. Warmest Regards, Ce…

Dear Users, 1. Did you watch Discover Channel's series on Chinese Inventions? (cable TV) 2. As China is one of the 4 oldest civilsations spanning over 5,000 years, it actually had contributed lots of inventions. 3. It is interesting to note that in one of the series, a Professor highlighted that although China had a head start or first user advantage she did not manage to benefit from it. 4. It is good to understand why? The explanation was that most of the inventions were in the hands of the few who jeaously guard them. 5. Unlike in the west, many of the Chinese discoveries were shared amongst intellects and thinkers who share and refine these theories. 6. We can draw a …

How many have seen the recent movie title: Gangs of New York? In my opinion, in this film, the only interesting scene is a short segment of Chinese immigrants to New York. In one of these scenes, despite the gang war going on around the Chinese immigrants, they were busy doing business. We can use this as a case study: 1. For most Chinese, it is most important for them to see if they can on the basic level try to bring food to the table of family, first. 2. If they are living in subsistence or on basic necessities, many Chinese would divert most of their resources on their next generation. 3. For example, Singapore is a wonderful place because it exercise meritrocity or …

Dear All, 1. It is interesting to note that in China, a nunnery (for nuns) and a monastry (for monks) cannot be situated too close. These nuns and monks live a life of celebracy (singlehood) 2. This is due to the Yin and Yang concept. Furthermore, commonsense tells us that situating both too close may lead to temptation. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Thank God! We do not have to squeeze ourselves ..... like these Chinese in their swimming pools...

Dear Users, This is inscribed on an ancient Chinese tomb...

Dear Anon, In very early years before China had exchanges with the West, you will be surprised to learn that many missionaries had infact introduced and translated many of China's culture, history, classics especially works by Confucius. For example, Matteo Ricci, who was an Italian missionary had infact translated several books into Latin in 1590s. Since his time, many famous scholars and writers had taken much effort in translating Chinese works into English. Such famous scholars include: Lin Yutang, James Legge who is an English writer. Another famous transalter is Richard Wilhem, a German Scholar. These scholars had infact translated several volumes of the famous Chi…

The Russian culture also has a similar tradition: As soon as the couple is married the families greet them with bread, salt and an icon. It is considered bad luck not to have any bread in the house.

Dear Anon, Last hear, I saw a documentary where for example, some British hospitals have adopted acupuncture inconjunction with western medicines. I understand that many years back gingseng plant has been cultivated in US and this has medicinal properties. Nowadays, when we Chinese go to a Chinese herbal shop, we can easily ask for the cheaper US ginseng. In fact, if one goes to a Chinese hospital today, many traditional herbs are used. It goes down to the root of Yin and yang concept. Where, for example, each ailment can be explained as being too yang or too yin. In such a situation, a remedy or herbs which can be classified into yin or yang is prescribed. (What I menti…

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, I believe you have brought up an interesting question:) Case 1 1. Let me share with you a recent case (showing the `non-importance' of unforuntately `women' ... on another issue.. 2. Recently, there is this case where this wealthy Chinese died. 3. In his will he asked that only after his last wife died and after 20 years later can then his wealth be distributed amongst his decendants. (Usually, this are his grand-children or later..). 4. In his will he specifically asked that none of his wealth can be distributed to the `daughters' of his children. As he felt that they `do not' belong to his family. (The assumption that `girls' would get married and later belo…

Dear Anon, So far, China has come to grip with economic development and thus the focus on most people's mind is to make `money' and security for their family. Many Chinese at the moment are simply `struggling' and not so fluent to be involved in cults. So far, Chinese government view the Fa Long Kong cult a threat and another major `gang' as threats to the fabric of the society. Otherwise, the country can be considered relatively free from `cults'. In the past, especially in overseas Chinese, such as Hong Kong and even Singapore, secret societies were more prevalent especially in the 1950's; 1960's and 1970's due to the poorer economic situation in such countries. Today…