Dear Cecil,
I am reading all over the internet about symolisam in feng shui. How much the symbolisam is important indeed? Mandarin duck for example - true, long-lasting love... For me, it is very foolish and have comercial role. What about pictures on the wall? For example, pictures of autumn in the west corner?
thanks in advance,
Dragana

Dear Dragana,
Please see below:-

Quote

On 4/20/2003 7:52:46 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Cecil,
I am reading all over the
internet about symolisam in
feng shui. How much the
symbolisam is important
indeed? Mandarin duck for
example - true, long-lasting
love... For me, it is very
foolish and have comercial
role.
Yes, I do agree with you. Many of these products are highly commercialised.
For example, a three-legged toad can be manufactured as little as US$30/- or less with cheap labour in China. And, it can sell for as much as US$150 to US$300 or more. Imagine, the high mark up!

Given this senario, often, when one visits a so called Feng Shui website, they always sell such (commercial) things.
The only difference I find between the Mandarin ducks vs the three legged toad is that: perhaps, the pair of mandarin ducks appeal more to westerners. While many Chinese: in Singapore, many of the lower (middle) income Chinese e.g. living in three or four room flats have such a three legged toad.
All these are fool hardy, given that the money goes into the pocket of the seller.

Quote

What about pictures on
the wall? For example,
pictures of autumn in the west
corner?

Frankly, should treat all these as decoration. If one likes say a painting, it can be pleasing to one's eyes.
In fact, most of the material goods, objects of art etc... should be treated more or related to Human luck (man) luck.
Sometimes, we all want to feel "comfortable". Many of us, want to know where is our wealth corner. If told there is `none' many may be taken aback. All these are psychological.
For many of us, we purchase because we were "told" that these objects are beneficial to us. But, there are many Human Luck, elements that are free! For example, instead of purchasing a three-legged toad; why not hug one's love one more or even go out e.g. for lunch, dinner say on our day's off?
Warmest Regards,
Cecil