Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Please see below:- Actually, what is more important is not so much of the overhead beam but its effect if one sits below an overhead beam over sometime. It does not matter if the overhead beam is above e.g. the TV cabinet. For the sofa, try to place it such that an overhead beam is not above it. For the rest of your questions, will answer shortly. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, For the bedroom, depending on the level of yin (rest) or yang (play or activity) you want you can use appropriate pictures in the room. Where possible, do not purchase pictures or paintings for the sake of enhancing `wealth' but rather, buy what you feel you enjoy (without any contraints) to Feng Shui other than: 1. do not buy pics/paintings of `fierce' animals with open mouths, of swords, swordplay. Ambigious paintings of unknown figures, shapes shadows. Other than these, buy paintings that you really really like. For the Chinese, calligraphy or word(s) with meaning for the living room. For the dinning room, some FS practitioners/clients are more particular and avoid as a recent message suggests, a Rooster ... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Chuei May, Ideally, in the first place, one should avoid having sharp edges facing a bed. "One concept is that if one cannot see it it no longer becomes a threat applies." I really cannot provide a cure for this as it is very difficult to `hide' a corner. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ang, The Eight House Theory can only be used to tell whether one is located in a good or bad sector, how suitable a house to a person. For more accurate determination of the house chart, one has to use time dimensions such as the Flying Star analysis. It is common for everyone to try to enhance their good or auspicious sectors. But one has to look at it from another angle: one has first to locate or neutralise bad sectors. Only after this is done, one should consider enhacing good sectors. It is just like a house with poison arrows aimed at the main door. One can do lots of enhancements etc... but inauspicious effects are still there. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sandi, 1. Based on what you had mentioned, you should not have a problem in the situation where although the front and back door are directly opposite each other. As, there is a wall between the two front and back door. 2. In Feng Shui, it is advisable not to be under a sloping roof. However, this is much better than directly under (sitting) under a beam. The higher the ceiling the better. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Can you confirm the relative position of the fish tank i.e. 1. Is it located outside or inside the house. 2. At the west location, which room is it? 3. How large is the fish tank e.g. 6ft by 4 ft? 4. What is the colour of the stand. 5. What is the shape of the fish tank. 6. Approximately how large is this room and what is it used for. Grateful if you can `cut-paste' this message into a new message so that I do not miss the reply. Thanks. Cecil

Dear Elena, The two small windows above the bed should not be an issue as it allows ventilation or proper circulation in the rooms. The main `impact' is when it is the actual windows and where possible here, do not have the headrest lean against the window. This factor is morre important consideration. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please see below:- Nowadays, lots of house have the main door facing their neighbours directly. So long as we try to maintain cordial relationship, do not clutter the exterior and close the door when we need privacy, it is the best way. Rather than use Feng Shui. I mentioned in a few earlier messages that there are homes where one home placed a Ba Gua mirror above their door. The neighbour had no choice but to use another different mirror to try and `bounce' back such bad influence. Here, there is a lose-lose situation instead of a win-win situation. The best method is to: Either 1. Use a screen between the main entrance door to the balcony or 2. Close the side of the balcony door that faces the main entrance. Do not allow Qi to flow into the main door and exit immediately thru the balcony window. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ange, 1. Ideally the bed should not face the door. (or the leg position) face the door). However, if there is no other choice, you really cannot help it.) An alternative, if there is space between the bed and the door is to place a low linen cabinet between the bed and the door. 2. For the window above the head, this has less to do with Feng Shui than, privacy and security considerations. (In case of a robber etc..) You can easily use oplaque film if the window is `see thru' to ensure, privacy for yourself. If it is part of your home, then, this should not be a problem. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Lingling, Please see below:- There is not much you can do to avoid a sharp corner. It is best if one avoids having a sharp corner in the first place (if one can). If it is a wooden beam, one can use 6 metal coins tied with red string and place it above the beam. Here, 6 coins representing big metal can be used to destroy wood. If it is a concrete beam, hang two bamboo flutes as follows:- ------ / \ / \ There is also another Find out what is the intangible influence for each person. If the intangible influence is inauspcious for a person, let the person sleep further away from the intangible influence. For example, if the father has the Prosperity sector while the daughter has the disaster sector, let the father sleep closer to the intangible force location. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear PB, 1. A dragon year child would have to be born on or after 5 February 2000 (As this is the offical date of start of the Dragon year). Anyway, no matter how, a child conceived now would be born in the Dragon year. 2. The most common `analysis' taking the Year of Birth e.g. a dragon baby boy born on 5 February 2000 is widely used in many Chinese Astrology books. This is the same as the Western Astrolgy of classifying a person as a Gemini, Cancer, Libra etc... 3. More `serious' or indepth analysis is based on the Pillars of Destiny. This is where not only the Year of birth, but also the Month, Day and Time of birth is taken into consideration. (Time of birth can sometimes be left out if one really does not know it). 4. From the above, you will notice that only after a detalied analysis of the Year, Month, Day and Time of birth, one can then say that the `Heaven' chart of a person has been mapped out. What this means is that not all `Dragon' child are the same. Their `fate' is based on their birthdate as defined above. However, the Pillars of Destiny (Heaven Chart) can be influenced by the education, experience etc.. that one has gained through life. 5. It is thus difficult to predict what the child's chart is like given that each day and time is different (upon their birth). Some Dragon child's Pillars `can get along' with yours while others may have some `clashes' depending on their birth date. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi Everyone, You can follow this link to My Calendar, an easy to view consolidated calendar of Major and Minor Chinese Festivals:- http://www.geomancy.net/calendar/index.htm This will be useful, if you are planning an event and would like to know what significance it has in the Chinese calendar. This is just one of the many `important' dates: The Seven Month, the most inauspicious date for the entire year is 6 August 2000. This is the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. Since ancient times, the Chinese belief that during the 7th month, the gates of hell is opened and hungry ghosts are allowed to wander on earth. This is considered a dangerous month to go out. Chinese avoid getting married, moving house, buying a car and organizing any other events during the 7th month. For 2000, this is from 31st July to 28 August 2000. There are many more dates of significance for the Chinese and invariably it is intertwined with Feng Shui such as selecting dates for pilling work on site, moving house etc.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, You can make use of the Pillars of Comparison (for members) at www.geomancy-online.com You will be able to compare both Husband and wife. The binding element will be suggested to you. Hopefully, this matches the paint colour:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi Everyone, You will be pleased to note that I have compiled a list of Minor Chinese Festivals. Actual date for each festival/birthday is also provided for this year. Do you know the birthday of Chinese God of Wealth? Feel free to find out the various Chinese festivals or birthdays of Chinese gods and immortals celebrated by the Chinese both past and present. Follow this link: http://www.geomancy.net/calendar/festivals-minor.htm Thank you and have a nice day! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In the past, countries especially in South East Asia banned their citizens from travelling to China and other communist states. For example our passports (Singapore) were chopped with a list of countries that we were not allowed to visit. The passport that I am holding issued in August 1991 had this statement printed: "This passport is valid for all countries except the following unless otherwise endorsed: Peoples Republic of China, North Korea, Democartic Kampuchea, Laos, Socialist Republic of Vietnam ". Not long after (1992) onwards, Singaporeans no longer need `approval' to visit China. In the past, our government `feared' the influence of communism and since birth, this was `ingrained' in many of us. Therefore, because of my earlier influence usually would think of going for holidays to `western' countries such as Europe, US or down under in Australia rather than China. Currently, many of my friends who had visited China, found the toliet facilities in their opinion `a put off'. During communist rule, Feng Shui was banned in China. So, in terms of interaction with Feng Shui practitioners this is "non-exisitent" in China. With the progress made, I would certainly consider my next few holidays to places of historical Feng Shui interests. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon In my opinion, Bonsai or the art of Bonsai cultivation originated from Japan rather than in China. This would largely explain why, you do not see Chinese people displaying them. Another reason is because, many rich Chinese do not have the time to tend to these plants as some of them need lots of attention i.e. trimming of leaves and even reforming them by using metal strips to twist and turn the trunks. Many of the older Chinese, or those who have free time or love to cultivate bonsai plants would tend to them. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Again, this is a recollection and has to be verified. Last year, if I am not mistaken there was a film/movie on the three `Soong' sisters. One of the Soong sisters, (I hope I got it correctly) married Dr. Sun Yat Sen, who was credited as the founder of modern China. He also had lived in Singapore and the bungalow that he stayed had I believed turned into a `museum' or a landmark here. I believe the movie was based on a book on the three `Soong' sisters. Well, I hope I got the above correct as I am more familiar with Feng Shui rather than Chinese history. Perhaps, you can go to www.britannica.com to find out more about Sun Yat Sen and see if there is any mention of his wife. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The Chinese New Year is based on the day when there is a full moon. As the full moon lasts 15 days, Chinese New Year lasts 15 days. Traditionally, the first day of Chinese New Year should be treated as the day, Tai su changes direction. For the Chinese, it does not `really' matter because, usually, renovations are never carried out during the Chinese New Year. It is not because of tradition but rather, one cannot find workers anywhere. The reason is because most of the construction companies and their staff return back to their village or in modern situations, return to their town. So, even if one wants to do renovation work (other than if you D.I.Y), one cannot do so:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Off-hand, this is just a recollection of what I read. So do not take this as reference but just comments. In the past, the Chinese were conquered by the Mongolians or Manchus. Naturally, they were asked to cut away their `pride' which was their pony tails. I believe the pony tails as you mentioned was their `pride and ego' of being a Chinese. But again, the conquerors of China, the Manchus were not happy and thus forced these Chinese to cut away their pony tails. I believe, some Chinese skilled in Kung Fu had used their hair for self-defence e.g. as a weapon just like a knife. Pony tails can inflict a wound just like a whip. This last part is what I have seen in the movies or on TV kung fu shows so, do not take me too seriously. Although, it sounds believable rite? Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In the past, Chinese fear an eclipse. This was because, it means that the sun has been `swallowed up'. And the `world' became dark. During the eclipse, they would use musical instruments and make sounds like clangs, beat the drums in the hope that the sun would `rise' again. This was before Chinese astrologers had predicted and advised the Emperors of the forthcoming eclipse. Once, it was known that the eclipse could be calculated and predicted, this `fear' of the sun got eaten up no longer worried the people. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Since we are on this topic, I took the opportunity to scan a recent article that there is an estimated 53 million one child family in China today. The article narrate and called these one child `little emperors'. You can read about this article under the conference: Photo tours of Interest. As for your question below, if the couple gets pregnant, they would usually have to go for an abortion. Usually, they would first practise contraception first. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Due to the birth control policies of mainland China, there are now around 53 million one child family. These children (boys or girls) are treated as `little emperors' by their parents and grand parents. Can you imagine being young without a single brother or sister to play with? Warmest Regards, Cecil Dear cecil, - Cross posted from Chinese Culture conf. - I read that there is one child policy in China. What happens if a couple gets pregnant again after having one baby. Thanks. Cecil: Usually they have to go for an abortion.

Dear Anon, For the Chinese (local - China) and overseas Chinese, there is the pressure not so much of just having a baby but rather a baby son. Chinese value highly a baby son because only a son can carry their family name through to the next generation. For example, Mr Tan would like his surname to be `carried' to his next generation. Only if he has a son, his surname Tan can be `happy' as his son will also adopt his surname Tan. If he has a daughter, and if his daughter marrys a man, if the man's surname is Wong, she comes Mrs Wong. There are many situations where Chinese man were `forced' to take up a second wife or due to family pressure, marry another in the hope that they have a son. If his wife did not bear him a son, in some instances, it may result in her getting very bad treatment from her in-laws. In the past, when a Chinese girl marries, she is said to be married to her husband's family. During Chinese New Year, the second day is the day where the Chinese girl is suppose to return to her maiden home. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Like any country, land has been gradually been `converted' into built up areas. However, the good news is that China is one of the four countries with an ancient civilzation lasting for more than 5,000 years old. With such a history, there are many (many) historical buildings and landscapes like the Guilin, the site where Shapes and Form School was said to have originated. Many of these locations have become tourist attractions. Because of the tourism, it has helped to preserve monuments e.g. Chinese Temples, Tombs, the Great Wall etc.. Many Chinese had the idea that when they grow old, they would like to visit China. But contrary to this, it would be better if one is young to visit China. The reason is because, of walk, walk and walk. If one is too old, one cannot enjoy the vast sights and large monuments. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, There is quite a diverse Chinese both in China and many overseas Chinese. Frankly, so far, I did not recall any or many Chinese displaying a picture of an Emperor and Empress. In China, it is `illegal' during the Communist period to display such pictures other than leaders like Mao or Chou Eng Lai. Perhaps, you could have seen pictures of Chinese Gods e.g. God of Wealth. The most popular Gods are the three figures of Fu Lu Shou or Luck, Prosperity and Longevity Gods. A picture of the three Gods are available under the conference: "Photo Tours with Interest." Warmest Regards, Cecil