Dear Mr. Lee,
May I ask you one very commonly discussed question ?
Many of the Feng Shui items are tied with red ribbons,
e.g. bamboo flutes, i-ching coins etc. Can these ribbons
also become emblem of fire and placing at wrong direction cause any hazard.
Thanking you.
Utpal Sikdar
India

Dear Utpal,
1. Although, red can be associated with the `fire' element, this is only one perspective or point of view.
2. Far from this single view or vocab that red = fire; red alternatively also represents auspiciousness for the Chinese.
3. Understanding the Five Elements Concept:-
3.1 Besides what I mentioned under Para 2, everything that is tied in red, therefore is symbolic of `auspiciousness'.
3.2 The Six coins cure and the red string or ribbon:
For the six coins cure: Six represents `big metal'. The square hole at the centre of this six coins represents `earth' element. Earth element helps to strengthen metal element.
Since the arrangement of six coins represent `big metal'; in order to control `big metal', red string (fire controls metal) is used here.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 4/24/2003 4:17:31 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Mr. Lee,
May I ask you one very
commonly discussed question ?
Many of the Feng Shui items
are tied with red ribbons,
e.g. bamboo flutes, i-ching
coins etc. Can these ribbons
also become emblem of fire and
placing at wrong direction
cause any hazard.
Thanking you.
Utpal Sikdar
India