Cecil Lee

Dear Sophia, There are generally three meanings associated with birds:- 1. Longevity Paintings usually with white birds signify longevity. And thus one of the connotation can mean that "100 birds signify living to" guess what age? 100 years! Imagine! even by today's standard, living to a ripe age of81 or 91 years canalready be difficult for majority of us. Not say until 100! Thus, I strongly believe, a painting with 100 birds (usually whitecoloured bird such as cranessimply signify this. 2. The Phoenix 2.1 In many traditional wedding cards; one can find a motif on the invitation card with a Phoenix and dragon motif. The phoenix represents (female - bird or yin), while the dragon motif signifies a male(dragon or yang) 2.2 Frankly, a brush painting of 8 birds has no specific significance. In my previous message(s) in this forum, I had advised not to place a painting or picture of birds in the dining area - especially overlooking the dining table. Here, it is symbolic of birds, flying in to peck the food on our dining table. 3. This third significance can sound quite crude but this is unfortunately the fact. The phonetic sound-like in mandarin for bird or "niao" is the male genital i.e. penis. Thus, it would certainly not sound nice to have a painting that symbolises " 8 penis". Thus often, paintings of birds other than white crane which synifies longevity are used. Otherwise, if one often sees Chinese paintings - seldom do we see great details drawn of birds i.e. in blown up versions. Usually if we do see paintings with birds, they are just part of the scenery! And not the main objects. Unlike the paintings of koi / carp / horses etc... Apologies for writing above, Para 3, if one is or has been embarassed by the above. It remains a fact and take it as "education" and not other "dirty" things (or imagination)... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Hock Chuan, It is advisable to maintain a positive mindset. I trust that you have disposed of the damaged photo frame. Have you acquired a new frame promptly? If yes, focus on positive thoughts and everything will be fine. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, For this coming Chinese New Year (CNY 2005), yes brown is acceptable. Since brown represents wood. And the green in this sector is also OK; since both green and brown are wood elements. Wood element is much like a tree with roots (sink-into-the-ground) to crush earth (bad #5). thus, this is acceptable. This is based on the "destructive" cycle of the Five elements where wood destroys or crush earth element. Reference: http://www.geomancy.net/resources/theories/fs-5element.htm Recommendations: 1. For this coming CNY, should remove the red mat since red can fuel earth element or inflame it. Thus the alternative is to usea blue mat. Here, water helps to draw-out earth i.e. #5 strong earth 2. Painting the door brown is no issue. Since this is the wood element. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Micky, If they are tiny lions, then often not an issue because of it's size. Usually, these should be considered more of a decorative item than anything else. Under the Five elements concept; lions are considered as a metal element. And often, it two huge lions are facing our door, then, the best approach is to place a red banner over our door. Or a red-semi-circular carpet radiating outwards of our main door. Under the Five elements concept: Lion = metal element Under the destructive cycle of the Five elements concept:- Fire destroys or melts metal. Reference link:http://www.geomancy.net/resources/theories/fs-5element.htm Thus, fire (red) can be used to neutralise the lions. "Melting them down or turning them into disabled pussy cats". Alternative, please DON'T QUOTE ME, HERE! (Please see below) This alternative is simply call " Disappearing lions":- Imagine this senario:- The neighbours do not have CCTV camera or are not in. SUDDENLY! the two lions disappear (stolen? robbed?) Usually, if they are missing or disappeared more than once or twice, the neighbour's would certainly give up placing them! Erh.... did you get the (clue) picture?? Please, please don't quote me on this! Warmest Regards, Cecil

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...

Dear Anon, Actually, the gift of "chopsticks" isrelatively new. I hope, you don't mind me frankly letting you know:- In the past, it was not wise to lend or give chopsticks because of it has a similar sound like "zhu" or "halt". Thus is especially not good or an appropriategift. It is especially best to keep the gift or store it away. Nowadays, there is another set of "chopsticks" gift i.e. two chopsticks placed ontop of a bowl - kept in a glass display frame. This is again not favourable. This is similar to one praying to the dead ancestor i.e. it's offering to the dead. And this is thus also considered very inauspicious. Since chopsticks does not have any good meanings, it is best to keep them and not display them. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Master Lee: I'm new to geomancy and have found the photo tours of interests extremely helpful (just like they said "a picture speaks a thousand words"). Thank you for having such a wonderful website. Pam Landin Feng Shui Newbie 8 September 2004 Dear Mr Lee Thanks for the beautiful efforts made on your upated flying stars report. Its fascinating. Cindy 8 September 2004 Hi Cecil, Thanks for coming to my place last night and so punctual. I like your service :-) You are wonderful! Wei Ling, Rosewood Condominium, Singapore 19 January 2005

Dear Mir, Actually this is not Feng Shui. In Singapore, or more commonly, it is placed facing an entrance. For example, in many Chinese (local) homes in Singapore, it is placed on the opposite wall facing the main entrance. Perhaps, this is psychological as once one steps into the home; one is "immedately" greeted by a smiling "face". In Singapore, most Chinese business do not place a laughing buddha in their business whether be it facing the main entrance or otherwise. In Singapore, some Chinese businessman would instead place a "Guan Kong" (rather than a laughing buddha) with the hope of securing more business. Thus, in my opinion, it does not matter whether the laughing buddha faces the north or south -- is often a non-issue. But, let not the back-side of the laughing buddha face the main entrance. Hopefully, it does not have constipation problem or else could perhaps blow off some - germany gas! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Paris, Please see below:- If this intelligent child has good resources such as good family bonding and relatively good access to external (inputs), the child is sure to either top his class or futher pursue an excellent career in the near future. While a normal child, could perhaps be like drawing parallel to a normal home without a sum-of-ten. In both cases (in the above both the intelligent child and the normal child) has to interact with their external environment. And the key to the Flying star Feng shui is that it is not -static but is based on time-dimensions. This is akin to the parallel with the external environment. Thus it is good to have a sum-of-ten house. But it is equally better (or we call thisa parallel to a "higher" standard of living if we can further neutralise #2 or #5 or other bad star numbers based on the time-dimension (part of external factors) influencing our home.

Dear Anon, A statute of a galloping horse is often placed facing the main entrance. Here, this symbolises either: 1. Frequent travels e.g. for work or leisure 2. Horses running out of the home or office to get more business. Under the Chinese zodiac sign, the horse element represents the fire element. Thus it is on the opposite side of the Rat element. Reference: http://www.lovesigns.net In ancient times, a movement of a group of 8 horses running was suppose to represent a famous 10 century Chinese King. Under Flying star Feng Shui, if there is a mountain star #9 and say this is the living room area or an area where it looks nice to display the 3 red horses, this would be a great location to activate the future-wealth prosperity sector. Since #9 represents the fire element and the 3 horses (3 represents wood and fire horses means that wood further helps to fuel fire element). Thus, it is not necessarily required that this figurine has to only be located at the south side. Alternatively, the 3 horses figurine can also be placed at the location of the mountain star #8 (current prosperity) sector. Here, fire helps to fuel earth element. But beware! Avoid placing this figurine at a location where there are #2 and/or #5 (strong earth - sickness/misfortune) sectors. For example, if the sector has: MS #9 WS#5 Base #5, this combination together with the red horse statue spells disaster since additional fire element is no good for the sector which can result in misfortune (loss of wealth orsickness & or both) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The idea behind using the hulu or bottle gourd is to "suck away" bad elements. Thus it is often placed in a toilet or next to the toilet bowl e.g. if the toilet is at the centrepoint of the house. Or often placed in a bedroom to counter "sickness" stars such as #2 sickness and/or #5 misfortune/sickness stars. Thus it is not placed based on the situation you had mentioned, below. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tim, In my opinion, Shapes and Form as mentioned by you below cannot cure "unwanted" stars. Since this concept is static and does not take into account time dimensions as the Flying Star Feng Shui. The only correlation is that often, under some Flying star models, it is preferred that the layout or rooms are squarish in shape. Here, it is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, A better alternative is to place a red dot on the same spot of both door handles. Here, it is symbolic of "seeing eye-to-eye" with each other. This is often a preferred method than using cupboards to block the doors. As this can result in poor air-circulation or dead qi collected in the bedroom. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Yes, this is based mainlyunder "symbolism"in Feng Shui. This is because simple things like forks and knifes (e.g. butter knives) should not be "pointed" or be seen or facing into a bedroom. Which may cause disharmony and can lead to frequent quarrels. If there is no alternative, as you had mentioned, it is best to either close the master bedroom door or as you had mentioned, acurtain or bead as another alternative. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Qibin, Actually, there was a previous posting or postings of the initial opening of the door. Since there are diverse dialect group, I have included the most common practises. In general, if we analsyse all the actions to be taken, they are symbolic of "sowing" wealth into a home. For your benefit, please see below:- Initial Opening of the door for the first time

Dear Anon, 1. For any new house purchase, it is always good to bring all family members to view the site to get an overall feeling of the place. 2. Under Flying star Feng Shui, currently NE facing homes have a better Feng Shui advantage as it is generally considered a better facing direction than some other facing directions. 3. For the Eight House theory, it is always favourable if the apartment fits the breadwinner. It is quite common both either spouse to be "opposites" east or west group. Although this is a consideration, other factors such as the Shapes and Forms and the Compass School - Flying star should also be considered. 4. As to whether to commit to purchase during this period or not has more to do with investment decisions than Feng Shui such as the price per square feet etc... Thus this point has to do with monetary considerations, budget, ambience and transportation etc... 5. It is also good to try to (if possible) find out the rationale for the sale -- sometimes this can be quite difficult. But no harm to check on this. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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...."

Dear Kathelyne Feng Shui has many distinctive flavours: 1. Poison arrows 2. Commonsense approach to Feng Shui 1. Poison arrows These are issues that cause issues such as sharp corners etc... 2. Commonsense approach to Feng Shui What you had mentioned i.e. a bedroom above a kitchen has more to do with "commonsense". This is because,(usually) thereseems to be a higher probability of a fire starting in a kitchen then anywhere else. And because of this, some would thus feel that having abedroom above the kitchen not a good idea! However, frankly a fire can be started anywhere else in a home such as carelessly leaving behind a lighted cigarette butt or ash etc... 3. The"cure" could be that we try to keep the kitchen neat and tidy. Avoid leaving the cooking oil or if we use gas, use safety valvesand in particular sensors such as a "smoke-detector(s)" in the kitchen as well as the hallwayetc... Warmest Regards, Cecil translation using http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr Apologies if the translation is in bad (broken) French:- Excuses, si le texte traduit est dans le French" de "bad ; Cher Kathelyne Feng Shui a beaucoup de saveurs distinctives : 1. Approche de Bon sens des fl?ches 2. de poison ? Feng Shui 1. Fl?ches de Poison Ce sont des issues qui causent des issues telles que les coins etc.. de di?se... 2. Approche de bon sens ? Feng Shui Ce que vous aviez mentionn? c.-?-d. une chambre ? coucher au-dessus d'une cuisine a plus ? faire avec "bon sens" ;. C'est parce que, (habituellement) il semble y a une probabilit? plus ?lev?e d'un feu commen?ant dans une cuisine puis n'importe o? ailleurs. Et pour cette raison, certains sentiraient ainsi cela avoir une chambre ? coucher au-dessus de la cuisine pas une bonne id?e ! Cependant, franchement un feu peut ?tre commenc? n'importe o? ailleurs dans une maison telle que laisser n?gligemment un bout de cigarette ou une cendre allum? etc..... 3. Le "cure" ; pourrait ?tre que nous essayons de maintenir la cuisine ordonn?e et rang?e. ?vitez de laisser l'huile de cuisine ou si nous utilisons le gaz, les soupapes de s?ret? d'utilisation et en particulier les sondes telles qu'un "smoke-detector(s)" ; dans la cuisine aussi bien que le vestibule etc..... Les Amiti?s Les plus sinc?res, Cecil

Dear Anon, I hope you don't mind saying that I am really no expert in static shock. From my personal experience:- 1. I strongly believe that it could perhaps be "carpeting" of the home? 2. drier skin? than most of us. Seriously, I am not sure, but could try moisturier cream? 3. lack of humidity? 4. walking in the "style" of "dragging" one's feet close to the ground or floor? 5. wearing e.g. jeans that "rubs" against part of the flooring (carpet) 6. Type of food eaten? I am truly sorry, again, I must emphasise that I am really just speaking my mind only. Perhaps, you could seek the advise in your country. such as a skin specialist first? This is because, to me, this is one way to start?? For those in the "electrical business" or area, often, when we purchase additional memory-banks to be installed into a computer, we actually have to touch our hands to an earth-object such as a wall or a special antistatic grounding wire. Perhaps, it could also be that your home is entirely made of wood? And not concrete? And perhaps, the wood is too dry - no humidity. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear John, Please see below:- But, I personally feel that it is more likely missing corner(s) in this case. Under some Flying star "models", some Flying star directions would benefit from a rectangular or squarish shape building to take advantage of better Feng Shui for a home. Qn3. Would extending

Dear Oliv, Under the Holy Trinity of Geomancy: 1. Heaven Luck - what is given to us 2. Earth Luck - Feng Shui 3. Human (man-luck) - human relationship factors and psychology Most of it, I would personally think would fall under Human (man-luck)! It is about firstly, -- our feelings... As you had written, one may feel quite uncomfortable or some "worries" of whether it can or cannot affect Feng Shui Another is about "face" or for the Chinese "prestige". A half-painted house that is left halfway unpainted for sometime could imply that symbolically or we are in "financial difficulties". I know some of us don't care "too-hoots" what the neighbour(s) say! But, all these does not lead to a "closure" of such an event. And even little thoughts about these would often unsettle our "Human-man luck factors". Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Generally, (or very generally), yes, south represents the fire element. To side-track-a-little: And in quite alot of past forum messages, I mentioned that for a kitchen at the south, it is acceptable to have the stove face a water position. This would not be ideal -- if the kitchen is located at the north. (water location). 2. Generally speaking, wood cabinets are in harmony with the kitchen since it has fire (stove) and wood element fuels fire (stove) - in a productive cycle. You can also read up an article, I wrote for the Home Concepts magazine - the article has been extracted to the forum. Do a search perhaps for "home concept" or "home concepts" to read the article. 3. Generally, since the kitchen is in the south (fire), often blue cabinet or partial blue cabinet color is acceptable in this area. Thus most of the time, a non issue. 4. A kitchen actually has more than just fire (stove); water (water basin pipes/ fridge or sometimes washing machine) but also the metal element i.e. utensils and even microwave belongs to the metal element. 5. Under the productive cycle of the five elements: Metal -

Dear Sophia, Please see below:- It is the belief that if one displays decorative objects (note: call them whatever one wants "wealth vase ...." etc... But really, these are only objects made by ordinary man! One of the beliefs is that if one keeps such objects, it is best always to cover the top and not let the vase be "empty". Some would place another smaller covered container to cover this "mouth" of the vase, while others could simply cover it fully with a cut-out cardboard, styrofoam etc.... In Singapore, we read of magic "stones" that can cure cancer etc... This is where such people prey older folks -- into parting with their savings! Therefore, all of us should not have the "foolish" notion that there is really such thing as a "wealth vase". The near equivalent are true "blooded" ancient antiques that have good "wealth value". For example, early century Ming pocerlain vase, plates etc... These are truly "rich-man's" collections. That may range from a few thousand dollars to even a few million dollars! Other than this, without proper authentication, there are many FAKES circulating around! This is where one of the gods, removed the cap to the gourd and point the empty vessel towards the "villian" and sucks him/her into it. Perhaps, illustrations such as this could be the originator for such ause in Feng Shui today. Many Feng Shui practitioners advise the use of it:- 1. Straight path of qi (leak) In many of those 3-room HDB type of flats, some made renovations suchthat when they open their living roomwindows, there is a straight path of air from this window, past thru the open dining room/kitchen door and out thru the service / kitchen windows. Some Chinese, would therefore hang a hulu or bottle gourd at the dining/kitchen entrance. For the above purpose. 2. Sickness star Especially manyHong Kong Feng Shui practitioners may advise their clients to placeor hang a hulu on the bed post. This is to "suck" away sickness stars #2 or #5. Or one of the alternative cures toconstant sickness. 3. Placed at toilets As one can see, it is the same principle or "belief". In conclusion, one can see that the above three points are the most commonly applied area for the use of the hulu or bottle gourd. Often, in the past, many would buy ready made wood-dried-hollow type with a cover on it i.e. when it is new, it is green. But, when it is "old" it turns into a beautiful "light" wood color. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Esther, Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS! Yes! There are lots of people who has prior to given birth or even before giving birth to display cute lovely children photos in their bedroom. Thus, you are not alone! And this is certainly something that is not new! So, in my opinion, feel free to continue to place these lovely pictures of children! On a human (man luck) level, it makes us all feel so good or wonderful! No harm in doing so. As for the placement of figurines; majority of the time no harm. But, in some of the past forum messages, there has been some issues with regards to this. But, this is rare or something like 0.01% type of an encounter. Thus no an issue. But, good to on the safe-side, remove them. As for home items "breaking" down, it could be a coincidence or other matters - since no Feng Shui audit has been done to review it. What is most important in the Chinese belief is not to move or shift the "wedding - or master bed" at all during the time of pregnancy up to the time of the 1st month old baby. It is ok to place the hulu at the basin. More importantly, do take care of your health and have as much "human or man luck" such as family support and care and togetherness with the spouse. Basically don't worry too much about all the little things! I am sure ALL OF US, especially Robert and myself, look forward to you having a lovely cuddly and beautiful child! CHEERS! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Doris, To be pretty honest: there is often no right or wrong answers. Nor one camp can ever overwhelm the other to consider exactly what colors fit which elements. For example, it is very straight forward that all the primary colors such as (often those found on the color tv) e.g. Green, Blue and Red. And some also consider Yellow a primary color). From a hot-cold continuum or spectrum, colors would range from the hot end (Red) to the cold end (Blue or white). Grey is interesting. Because silver looks silver to us. But in my country, all our paper notes have a security thread -- threaded into each paper note. Humans when eyeing the notes will certainly see a gleemer of silver -- (metal) element. But if one scans the dollar note (I am not recommending this - as it is agains the law) or photo copy the dollar note -- the silver thread would turn out to be "GREY!" So perhaps, some people would thus consider perhaps grey = metal? If we look at decorator's color charts, often we see the grey tones on the sample brochure next to the blue tones. Again, there is always no right or wrong answers. Because, often, pastel shades of colors are subjected to many interpretations. In addition, there are other ways to identify objects: circle = metal element etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil