Cecil Lee

These are some considerations:- 1. Traditionally, when one stands looking at an altar; ancestor tablet or photo is on the LEFT side of the altar. 2. While if a deity is placed on the same table; the deity is to the RIGHT side of the altar. 3. Here, are ready (customed made) altars; where the standard height is always in the range of 49 3/4 inches (plus minus a few cms if one wants to add a piece of glass) so that the table top is easier to clean. 4. On many of such altars; if it is meant for both the ancestor tablet (or photo) the table is not exactly flat. Where the right side is higher while the left side is slightly lower. 5. Here, for example; if one has a deity to the right side of the ancestor tablet (or photo) the deity must be seen to be higher than the "ancestor". Hey, symbolically; deities are suppose to be "higher" (level) than "ordinary deceased persons. You wrote: 1) Is it ok to put pictures of both deceased and living persons on an altar or should they be separated? Reply: For the Chinese; no; we consider this a taboo. Again; if one is not a Chinese; then really up to you. 2) My kung fu school has given a new direction to my life and my highest personal aspiration lies there. Is it ok to put a large frame (40 cm x 80 cm) the depiction of my kung fu style on the altar? Reply: Have not heard of this in the Chinese culture. But it does not mean that you can't do so. If you do feel comfortable doing so, then go ahead. 3) If I put a bowl fruit on the altar, can I eat the fruit afterwards? Reply: For us Chinese; yes, why waste perfectly "good fruits". For example, oranges have tough skin and even for those who pray with this fruit or red apples; they can easily be washed; kept refrigerated and eaten, later. Reply: Traditionally, the Cantonese Dialect group set the "standard"; here. Many other dialect groups follow their tradition of placing countable fruits: FIVE each. Here, it symbolises the Five areas or "deities" or "spirits": North, South, East, West and the Central or 5 "ghosts"; not the type of ghosts but in the Catholic religion; one often says "the holy ghost" sort of nice thing.. not that "evil" ghosts. 4) Is it ok to put the Buddha statue on the lower shelf or should it always be placed on the upper shelf? Reply: Please refer to Para 5. above. It should always be higher than the "ancestor" and to the right side. (Standing looking at the altar). 5) Can I lay down the pictures or should they be placed upwards? Reply: Our common method is to place it "upwards" never lying down. In Conclusion: I must emphaise that there is no right or wrong answers. The purpose of some of the information; provided above is to give a better understanding to NON-Chinese of our common practises. IT DOES NOT MEAN that you should follow everything I said. This is especially true when there is no precedence of this in other cultures; like yours. What is more important is that you feel GOOD about it (psychologically speaking). Neither am I trying to push the Chinese culture to anyone. Use this as a discourse in having a better understanding of our culture. In addition; for our altar(s) we follow specifically to the Feng Shui ruler measurements. And many standard altar tables are readily purchased with all the "fine" measurements and ornate decorations. You don't need to buy one of these, also.

1. This is a rare sight nowadays; as many of the fire escape staircases are tucked away without good views. 2. Nowadays, such "valuable" estate is taken over by corner units of apartments. 2. The picture shows a block 491, Admiralty Link. 3. This type of staircase (reminds me) was formerly found on one of the earliest Singapore slab flats and also on the old Singapore Orchid $1 notes. 4. The only difference is that the cluster of flats around Admiarlity Link such as Block 491; are much, much taller than the "concrete slab look" this is why it is commonly called a "slab"- rectanguarlish flats: popularof the governments public housing in the 1960's: consisting usually of one and three room flats. All uniform in height. 4.1 In the currency note; you can see that this estate has a cluster of similar type of blocks. One estate today is that of the Eunos estate in Singapore. While it is a pity many of such flats in Tiong Bahru were demolished; residents relocated to resettled newer and higher levels! There are some of these left in Old Airport Road / Dakota Road, Singapore. 4.2 The three rooms flat usually denote: two bedrooms and a living room. Thus simply called: THREE rooms. 4.3 Frankly, I find this naming convention odd; but it still sticks to this type of description, today.

These are the actual edible "seeds". Some even have partial "brown skin" still not peeled off...

These are some considerations: 1. In my opinion; the facing direction may not be Flying Star South 3 (195 degrees) but rather it seems to belong to South 2 facing: 182.9 degrees. 2. Fortunately, both S2 and S3 share similar Flying stars. Else in a senario that it falls into S1; then S1 is not equal to S2/S3. 3. Seems that you have done good due diligence; in terms of homework to try to relate the major compass schools. 4. There is one major concern: as from an "eye-ball" look; the kitchen (and perhaps stove area) is close-to (or even at North-West) sector = inauspicious Fire at Heaven's gate. If not sure what this is; then do a SEARCH for this term in the forum. 4.1. Of course; if there are other layouts with the interior (mirrored) i.e. the kitchen now falls within NE; the better! Otherwise; it is a pity that the interior layout generally seems OK expect for this thing " Fire at Heaven's gate ": which simply means: career concerns for the male of the house and "luck from Heaven" = poorer luck when staying in this home. 5. Other than that; I have attached my findings of the compass bearings: as all map conventions use North or 0/360 degrees on top. And I had superimposed a protractor; which resulted in the compass bearing as close to or equal to 182.9 degrees = South 2 facing. 6. Other factors include external factors like lamp posts / poison arrows of neighbour's roofing; investigating how the drainage (rain falls towards the drain and out of the home). 7. In conclusion; investigate further into Point 4; 4.1. As I mentioned; I use my "eye-balls" to guage that the kitchen MAY be in NW. You may have to plot a Flying Star chart to futher analyse it.

Thanks for the layout plan. No, this staircase which is at the side of the main door is not inauspicious.

Thanks for the sketch. 1. In my opinion, the house you mentioned does not seem to belong to that group called house at a "T-junction". Thus this is a plus point. 2. Like any other homes; due diligence is required. 3. From a Feng Shui point of view; there are lots more consideration: 3.1. As you had mentioned; any water flow that can be seen from the home leading out towards the exterior especially if they are not covered; 3.2. How the rainfall drains out of the home. 3.3. External threats if any from sharp pointed roofs of neighbouring homes and other threats such as lamp posts etc.. etc.. 3.4. The gradiency and many other factors include the interior layout of the home....

You wrote: "I have one last question, regarding my bed positioning in my master bedroom, is it ok to face the window or next to the toilet door? " It depends! Nowadays, some windows extend to below the actual window. There instead of a wall; the entire frame has a upper: window area and below the waist area; there is the windows. This is commonsense. If the entire area is made up of windows; under Shapes and Forms, if one's legs face the lower window area; this is also considered like the 'coffin" position. Where legs face an "opening". From a commonsense approach; just imagine having an opened window area with clear glass; if one is on say the 2nd storey, someone may peer into our "body" on the bed. And if we were to wear undies only then ... some may look at it. Many apartments now have an attached bathroom; if one feels uncomfortable; then close the bedroom door when not in use. Please check out past forum messages where I stated about some information of the difference of having the toilet seat "closed" or opened.. and micro-droplets... etc.... Thus, you are not alone. Many master bedrooms of condominiums have toilets next to the bed. Furthermore, under Shapes and Forms, if one feels uncomfortable; can place a pedestal with a table lamp to symbolise a "partition" IF ONE wants to do so - optional. And if I have a baby cot, where should I placed it next to my bed? Definitely away from direct air-con (IF possible). Most likely when we look at how our master bed has been placed; the amount of walkway; the fixed wardrope; windows; instictively; many use commonsense to place it. Also away from "direct" sunlight of certain windows etc... 99.99 percent of the time; as mentioned; insticts will guide us in the placement: with or without Feng Shui help.

Thanks for sharing with us your plight in searching for a home. You wrote:- Case 3 (current): Building between two busy streets The project is going to have 4 identical buildings. The apartment is more than just acceptable, we like it, the contract is clear and gives us confidence for the first time but it has these major issues: Two busy streets at both sides (please see the image attached), not sure which one is the mountain side. My b/f is used to the noise and i guess i can get used to it too (as it suffer from low pressure may be it would not harm me to rise my blood pressure a bit with the noise )

Good Luck in your new venture! Just to clarify number "4" is subjective. As mentioned earlier; this number does not appeal especially to the Cantonese dialect group of the Chinese. In China, today especially in Beijing and/or Shanghai; where there are few Cantonese and for the communist period till now; they don't seem to have any adverse thinking towards the number "4". This is why; I call the number "4" pretty subjective number. However, in the Far East; where supersititions strive and there is a large pool of Cantonese speaking Chinese; even in your country, Singapore, Malaysia; number "4" ain't so good a number. Hope you know what I mean...

1. If your Birth Element is a Strong Earth Your Favourable Elements/Colours are: Metal (white/gold), Wood (green/brown), Water (blue/black/gray) Unfavourable Element/Colour: Fire (red), Earth (yellow) Wealth Element/Colour: Water (blue/black/gray) Reference:http://talk.geomancy.net Since you are a strong earth person, thentransport comes under wood element: which is considered as a suitable element toyou. 2. There are previousresouces on why many Chinese avoid or select certain numbers:-2.1 Don't like number "4". As under the Cantonese dialect 4phonetically sounds like "die" or "death".This is why your Chinese partner never likes to have numbers with 4 in them. 2.2. Number "8" in Cantonese dialect phonetically sounds like "prosperity". 2.3. Number "6" in the Hokkien dialect phonetically sounds like "Luck" 2.4. Number "1"; Usually this number inMandarin slang means "yao". Thus it often is added to other numbers especially before number "8". 2.4.1. For example, whenone of theSingaporeCasios chose a time to open for business, they chose 1118HRS which phonetically sounds like: Yao, Yao, Yao Fa = Will, Will, Will Prosper! 2.4.2. When choosinga timeto openthe door of a new home for the first time; some choose timings like8.18 am which meansProsper;will Prosper! Note: The largest community of Cantonese outside of mainland China is in Hong Kong; which is close to Guandong province. Favourite number is "8". And they hate number "4's". While the largest community of Hokkiens outside of mainland China is in Singapore. They migrated from Fujian province. Which is famous for the "Iron Buddha tea". Their favourite number is "6'. (Unlike Christians who fear 666 = devil's number. Hokkiens like 6, 66, 666 or 6666 also can. Phonetically; other favourable Mandarin numbers include "9" = longevity. "3" sounds like "mountain and up" or progress. "1" in Mandarin slang is "will" or "going to" or "sure".. sort of thing.. Hope that helps; one understand the significance of these numbers.

Many seems to think that the Ba Gua mirror is the do it, done it, get it, got it, cure it, THING!

These are some of the considerations: 1. I can understand; many of us try to go for the easiest route to solve our problem(s). 2. For example, some indulge in food; while in your case, you are trying to place your hopes on a ba gua mirror. 3. Frankly, you may try, lah... 4. In real Feng Shui; it is a holistic approach and the key success factor is a proper Triage or study of the layout plan and some of the tools include: plotting the Flying star chart: issues such as health and relationship issues etc... could be mapped out and where possible: "fixed". 5. However, since you are not privy to Para 4; then; as mentioned by you; look at Para 3, above..

Based on Strategic Management; any business can be classified into two layers:- 1. The industry the business is in. Here, for example; you could be working in any of the "water" element industries such as: Advertising, Arts, Brewing, Communications, Computers, Drinks, Healing, Laundry, Literature, Manufacturing, Media, Music, Therapy

You wrote: Main Door Facing Balcony There's a distance between my main door facing balcony. I intend to do a bi-fold door at my balcony area but no windows as will be open concept. I heard that it's not good to have main door facing windows, bedroom doors and toilet. In this case, should I do an L-Shape shoe cabinet at the main door to prevent the 'chi' from flowing out to the balcony or can the bi-fold door prevent the chi from flowing away? If I have the L-Shape shoe cabinet at the main door, the entrance will look kinda block and need lights to brightent that area. Hope you can kindly advise me on this. These are some considerations: 1. So long as there is no direct path between the main door and the balcony is fine or OK. Sometimes, the french door or bi-fold door is "permanently" closed; such that there is no longer a direct path between the main door and an "opening". 2. If a partition is needed; best to go with an appropriate length e.g. if the main door swings directly towards a wall; then usually the partition is approximately 42 inches ; often this would cover all the main door (less the small panel - for doors with one large and smaller door). However, if the main door is in the "middle" then 42 inches may not be enough to cover the length of the door. 3. The partition need not be air-tight. Nor up to ceiling. Often for asthetic reasons it can cover up to the frame of the door or slightly lower than that. This would allow some light to come towards the door area. 4. Best not to have shinny surface facing the main door. 5. Best that it (the partition) does not have any circular designs. 6. Best that the shoe cabinet not face the main entrance door directly. It can be built on the side of the partition.

You wrote: Kitchen Am planning to do an island in the centre of the kitchen but I heard stove cannot be placed in the middle of the kitchen. So the only way I see is to place it along the wall but I will have my back facing the kitchen entrance which is no good according to fengshui. Unless I have a mirror ontop of the stove? Is this correct? 1. Stove placed in the middle of the kitchen has to do with Commonsense. 2. Just imagine, if it is not against a solid wall; wind often blows from different directions; and if the stove especially those with gas stove; the fire can easily be extinguished.. and gas built up and/or the fire may come towards one's clothing or against a child's head/eyes should they walk towards the kitchen. 3. The mirror is another issue altogether. Often, it is best not to place a mirror facing the stove as under symbolism in Feng Shui; it may mean two stoves in a home. Here, this implies that for a married couple; there may be a possibility of the husband having roving eyes. As the home now has "two stoves" i.e. one wife and a mistress = 2 stoves = 2 female companions..

1. Yes, one may /could skip the First Time Open Door procedure and just do the move in ritual. 2. For this year; Take note the following sectors:- Grand Duke this year is East, 90 Degree. In addition, Misfortune/Sickness Star this year is also at East - Avoid sitting facing the grand duke or disturbing him by having renovations. Location in Conflict is West. - Avoid having renovations done opposite the location in conflict. 3. This year, it is not wise ESPECIALLYeven if one wants to dosimple renovations particularly at EAST. Given that both Grand Duke (Tai Sui) and Five Yellow (Misfortuen/Sickness) star is at that location. http://www.geomancy.net/resources/yearly-forecast/fortunes-2011.htm

These are some considerations: 1. Water is not necessarily a bad thing if it is permanent as opposed to seasonal. 2. How the home is built and facing would determine whether it has good, bad or neutral Feng Shui. Reference: http://forum.geomancy.net/phpforum/article.php?bid=2&fid=29&mid=11355&new= 3. The major concern is the effects of global warming and the irratic weather behaviour. Hopefully this does not translate to extreme flooding on the property especially if the creek overfills.

Yes, in my opinion; just wrap it up old newspaper and either keep it away or throw it away. Such things always never place it near to ancestor tablet.

Additional photos of the Phoo Thor Jee Temple in2011.... Gone are the multiples of Lion statues at the front gate and more within the compound of the temple. Can you see the difference in the 2010 (frontage) photo and that of the 2011?

1. This is called "petai" or scientific name is: Parkia speciosa 2. Each pod contains around 15 to 20 beans. The beans are bright green in colour and covered with a brownish membrane. 3. The beans have a peculiar smell. Some mistaken the smell for methane gas. As such some literally call it the "stink bean". 4. To any novice; it is bitter and due to the strong smell; the smell lingers in one's mouth after eating in quantities. 5. As this bean contains amino acids; it's strong smell can be detected in one's urine even after two days of consuming it. And please don't stand near-by to anyone who had given off "german gas" after eating it... 6. Some say that it helps to control diabetees. 7. Often, one can find worms embedded into some of the beans. Apparently, worms do love them also. 8. Most Indonesians are familiar with it. Recently, it has become very popular in Singapore especially with the Malays and the baba's.

These photos were taken on a recent re-visit to the Rivervale Crest condo

Source & Credit: The Sunday Times APRIL 10, 2011 GRAVE TOURS BUKIT BROWN CEMETERY (LORNIE ROAD) Bukit Brown holds the remains of many Singapore pioneers including Chew Boon Lay, Lim Chong Pang and Lim Nee Soon as well as Tan Kim CHing, eldest son of Tan Tock Seng. It also includes what may be the oldest grave in Singapore - the final resting place of a certain Fang Shan who died in 1833. CHUA CHU KANG CHINESE CEMETRY Many graves here are built in the shape of animals such as fish or snakes, in accordance with feng shui principles. In the night, it also attracts many mediums and their followers, who conduct regular seances there. JAPANESE CEMETRY PARK (CHUAN HOE AVENUE) The land was donated by brothel owner Tagajiro Fukaki in the 19th century as a burial ground for Japanese prostitutes and is now maintained by the Japanese Association of Singapore. No one has been buried there since 1973. Famous names interred there include field marshal Count Terauchi Hisaichi supreme commander of Japanese forces in South-east Asia during WWII. The graves of the Japanese prostitutes, their children and their mama-sans range from simple grave markers to elaborate tombstones.

Please don't think of Feng Shui as monotone. In fact, there are so many flavours of Feng Shui:- http://www.geomancy.net/events/CDL_FS_Talk/talk_1_slide_19.htm Unfortunately, many think that Feng Shui is Fung Sway and think in terms of the myopic tunnel. And it is also does not revolve around the ba gua mirror. Where some think that it is the mother of all cures. Furthermore, without the ba gua mirror is not like armageddon...

Further to what I had mentioned; even within one school of Feng Shui; for example: Flying Star; besides; looking at #3 there is a need to look into other of it's sub-modules e.g. Eighty one combinations of the mountain and water stars to look for clashes relating to that issue u wrote. In the past I elaborated; that Feng Shui and not the kindergarten type of Fung Sway; has different styles. Kung Fu, also has many techniques and styles: tiger, crane, snake, monkey, etc etc.....

There are two components; here. 1. Earth luck or Feng Shui. 2. Human or Man luck. Under Feng Shui; please note that it is not just above those ba gua mirrors, please. There are other theories. Clue: one theory has info about such thing as #5 and #3. Go find out what #3, is about...... Unbelievable that Feng Shui being a holistic approach can be misused or rather abused; to rely on a mirror?? The holistic approach even extends to Shapes and Forms and fixing the leak. As mentioned, above, the other component is Human factors. This is not Fung Sway.