Cecil Lee

These are some of the murals etched into the marble slabs on the wall of the temple....

1. Hey!, this is not exactly the auspicious "Dragon-gate" Feng Shui! 2. Literally, this home places a dragon-holding a pearl; placed on one of the pillars of the gate. 3. At least, even if it is highly uncommon for a home to have a dragon figurine "guarding" the gate; at least it is only a single piece. As a dragon represents the male. While the phoenix represents the female form. 4. As mentioned, it is very rare for people to place such a figurine on their main gate pillar facing outwards. This is the very first time I came across such any activity. 5. Usually, instead, such a figurine is common only in a temple where a pair of dragons is often found on the main roof of a temple. And both the dragons will be looking at a single pearl....

1. Please see illustration. 2. There are lots of concerns or pratical issues when placing an altar in this apartment. 3. For example, usually for marking in RED "A" shoes are often stored, here. If so, it is not desirable for an altar to be placed next to it. For example, it is not auspicious to have the altar placed at marking "B" because of this. 4. Specially tailor a niche at "A" (store) for the altar may be a consideration. So long as any figurine does not face the green marking "X". 5. If there is no shoe cabinet at "A", an altar (MAY) be at marking "B". BUT, it is too close to the kitchen. A better alternative is to place the altar at marking "E". Here, the entire store cum area has to be "modified" and the altar placed at "E". 6. Usually the 2nd choice after this is marking C or D. But, because of the layout of the apartment, this is usually where your TV set is; then it is not auspicious to have the altar beside a TV set. 7. Thus if forced to choose a location such as "C" or "D"; the no choice is to have it at "D". Again, not the best. 8. the consideration is either "G" or F". Here, there are still landed homes (no choice) where the altar face the dining table - especially for "G". So long as the alter is of auspicious height such as around 49 3/4 inches, this is perfectly fine or common. 9. The majordisadvantage of altar sitting facing the bedrooms is that often the "GOD's should- guard the home" and not peer into our lives.For example if the altar is placed at "F" or "G", it is not nice to have them looking at couples having intimate relationship and changing clothersetc... 10. Furthermore, "G" would most likely be directly facing theTV set. So does "F","G" and "H". 11.The last resort was "F". Butagain, the drawback is that it would facein green "Y". 12. Avoid placing thealtar at "H" looking into themaster bedroom! 13. In conclusion, the better position is of course between marking A and B = E.And make sure the altar is at an auspicious height of 49 3/4 inches high. So that it will also "over-look" the dining table. P.S. Alternatively, if there is a permanent unused bedroom, an altar can be placed next to the window... In Singapore, this is highly unlikely... given that bedrooms are premium spaces for a family member to dwell or as a study room. Note: The suggestion(s) are meant only for a regular Chinese altar: If it is the ancestor altar, other location such as the kitchen may have to be re-looked at. This suggestion does not apply to the Thai 4 face god....

The saying goes: a picture tells a thousand words. In this picture alone; it shows how the different class of Singaporean's abode: The Upper, Middle and Lower class. This picture shows the picture that I had taken fromThe Makena condo, at Meyer Road.

Lamp post aimed towards a home...

Sorry the photo is blur. But can you see the outline of the "moon" gate at the entrance of the home? This "moon" gate arch is supported by the two gate pillars of the home.

This is another version of the Lion Statues found on top of the pillars of main gates...

Picture taken at Pinnace@Duxton Dear Sumita,

What you mentioned is to do with "Nice-to-have" and not a "Must-have". Of course, if one has a good date; and a good time; these are Nice-to-have.

These plaques from 19 to the last plaque 24

These plaques from 13 to 18

Plaques 7 to 12

These are Plaques 1 to 6; As some of my earlier photos of each of the 24 Filial Piety plaques were often missing parts of the wordings; I took the opportunity to re-take the entire photos of each of the plaques. The wordings can now be easily read.

These are some of the considerations:- 1. Sometimes, the clues are at the bottom, instead of the top. 2. Many concepts good or bad are related to commonsense (cow-sense). 3. For example, three (table) legs are inauspicious. While best is 4 legs. 4. For a "single" leg such as what you had mentioned; again, it depends:- 4.1. for example, there are antique Chinese furniture such as dining tables with OCTAGON legs. But these legs are relatively large and stable. 4.2. Gravit and legs. 4.3. In your attachment, in my opinion, it has more to do with center of gravity. Thus, if more weight is accidentally placed on one side of the table, this table can topple down. For example a child sitting on the ledge of the table, may cause it to topple. 4.4. It is this commonsense or cowsense that makes such tables not as desirable - an element of "danger" or safety that's all. 5. In my opinion, the mable top is pretty heavy and i my opinion the foot print of the diameter of the legs may not be ideal, here. 6. Thus, it has to do with mable top. But as for stainless steel legs, hmm... this one.. go figure out whether it pose any issue or not. Frankly, I am not too concern over this area..

Apparently, these two cutie babies (young children) were left by her mother outside a Video Shop. The video shop was showing a Korean film. And I believe the family are Koreans.. Note: The man in the picture does not belong to the family, as he left afterwards. The mum, around 20 minutes later appeared. How's this for unattended "child care" at a shopping centre. This shows how safe, Singapore is! For a mum to leave her childern to shop (perhaps nearb-by). By the way, the girl dropped a plastic bag containing some purchases by her mum. I helped picked it up and returned to the eldest (girl). She is very cute and offered me her drink!

How often we hear of this....

Reference Link: http://forum.geomancy.net/phpforum/article.php?bid=2&fid=1&mid=12485&new= As mentioned earlier, many of us don't have "born with luck" and good "Feng Shui". But the lucky ones always got great support (especially) from family members! My all time favourite sterling example of Human or man luck; has to do with this show:- The Movie Executive Decision By Warner Bros (Also called Critical Decisions) Extract of the link:- One of my most favourate movie is: 8.1 In US it is called: Critical Decision 8.2 But in Singapore it is called: Executive Decision. 8.3 This show was shot by Warner Brothers: starring Kurt Russell and Halle Berry (the most recent pretty James Bond girl). 9. I have watched this show at least 100 times throught these many years. And the ending has a good line. Where, Kurt Russell, who is not a jumbo jet pilot but a miltary adviser flew this plan and tries to land it. 10. He (Kurt) tried first to land at Dallas Airport, but was unsuccessful. He then make a turn towards a small airfield and when recognising this small field, he had a little confidence. Halle Berry who plays the flight attendant was helping him with the instructions: finally I like this part something like: 9.1 Kurt Russell: what else did I forgot (after lowering the wheels and checking air speed); 9.2 Hale Berry: Who cares, JUST FLY THE PLANE! 9.3 Kurt Russell: Got a sudden surge of confidence and then flew the plane, landing it safely on the ground. 10. All I can say to you, "who cares" about worrying too much, JUST DO YOUR BEST or FLY YOUR PLANE! Thus what the heck why worry about how many fishes or colours...

These are further considerations: 1. We consider luck as classified into three categories. 2. Here, this is known as the "Holy Trinity" of (Chinese) Luck system:- 2.1. Heaven Luck or simply born with e.g. some considered born with a silver spoon etc... 2.2. Earth Luck or Feng Shui - such as luck from home or office 2.3. Human or Man Luck - such as relationships, family bonding etc.. 3. Some people don't have good Heaven or Earth luck. But simple things like a real hobby e.g. enjoying the maintenance of a koi pond, the pleasures of seeing these fishes circling around in the pond awaiting feeding etc... 4. Thus,we often hear; some people, turn their hobby into a labour of love - where work and play comes together. 5. Where got.. worry about number of stripes on a fish or number of fishes or what crap the colour of the fish are... This is ridiculous.. for most people. Unless, one has nothing better to do daily... 6. No offense, but frankly, successful people don't go around counting how many fishes in their pond. They look at the bigger picture: I need a koi pond, here (full stop). Someone else, create the pond and populate it.

1. Frankly, are you keeping Koi fishes for enjoyment? OR 2. Keeping Koi fishes FOR THE SAKE of FUNG SWAY? 3. If one intends to keep Koi fishes in the name and holy spirit of Fung Sway, then, read more and there are tons and tons of methods to derive a number. 4. Honestly, for those who go in the direction of Para 2, or 2; then go ahead, throw a dice or flip a coin: Heads or tails.. and the quest for the kind of fishes. 5. For heaven's sake, one will be more successful, for the love, enjoyment of Feng Shui and not Fung Sway type of thing. 6. When we go down to a koi shop, it is like going into a pet shop and "falling" in love with that cute little dog. And not again in the name of Fung Sway ; where sway means bad luck! 7. Come on, how can keeping koi fishes become "rocket science?" 8. Why the uncertainty and fear of what colour, combinations etc.. to keep? 9. In all questions in this forum on this subject; I hope that you don't make this hobby for hobbists into a rocket science subject or atomic science subject.

These are some further considerations:- 1. Do you intend to keep only 7 + 1 koi fishes? 2. If so, then:- 2.1. In any event that (touch-wood) any of the fishes die; the probability is one of the 7 other fishes. If so, 6 + 1 koi fishes is acceptable. 2.2. Unless one wants only 7 + 1 = 8 (8 represents) prosperity, then should the fishes become only 6 + 1, then replenish with1 other coloured fishes. 3. If you intend to keep only 7 + 1 koi fishes; then look at it this way; no harm if you feel comfortable that your black should be black. Thus, on the safe side; since you already intend to keep a black one, why not the totally BLACK one. Not those red-black ones, right? 3.1 Blacks are usually :Kumonryu or another black variety called Karasu, 4. Anyway, in Singapore, especially those who have a large pond outside their homes would always keep as much as they feel their tank can have. Not so much of only in the name of Feng Shui sake : 7 + 1 (full stop) type of senairo.

Further to what I had mentioned, this same link shows sample of the significance of how many fishes and the symbolism attached to it:- http://fountain.geomancy.net As for the 7 red and 1 black:- Black represents the water element. While #7 represents Weak Metal element. Thus you don't need all RED koi's but rather 7 other Koi's of any other combination of colours so long as it is not TOTALLY black. Frankly, go enjoy the Koi for what it is worth. And not for the sake of "Feng Shui". Enjoyment does not mean constant worry of making sure that the "quota" of fishes is not breached or lacking. Who in the world would take an inventory of one's fish every day etc... Thus the most practical method is : since all Koi's are of the metal element; and since metal supports water; this is harmonous enough! And I would not careless how many be it 7 plus 1 or 6 (stong metal) plus 1 black! Just look at the attachment: beautiful painting of 9 kois meeting 9 Kois. 9 symbolises longevity. And if you count the number of fishes, there are 9 on one side meeting the other 9 on the other side: Koipaint1.jpg Furthermore, this 7 plus 1 thing applies more inside the home where one keeps goldfishes....

These are some information:- 1. Although the Japanese made Koi famous with all the various distinctive names based on the markings on the Koi fish; 2. In fact, the Koi fish has it's origins in China as "carps". 3. Under the Five Elements concept; the Koi fish if one looks carefully is shiny and like the gold fish; is considered as belonging to the metal element. 4. Under the Five Elements concept: Metal supports Water. That is why, it is considered a fabulus combination. 5. You can read more about the Koi and it's association with the Five Elements concept:- http://fountain.geomancy.net 6. Just remember; Metal supports Water. And if you have time; go thru the above article from Para 2.1 to 2.12 to have a good grounding of this Five Elementsconcept. 7. In general, since the Koi fish is shiny or metallic; you don't have to worry too much of the colour combination EXCEPT:- 7.1.ALL BLACKKoi fish: No one wants to keep so many black ones...Thus black represents WATER element. Still OK. 7.2. In life; even in our normal surroundings; it is fine to have a range of koi fishes of various colours e.g. red , red-black, white-yellow, orange etc....

I apologize for the quality of the photos, which were taken in April 2020. At that time, phone cameras were not as advanced as they are now. As RED symbolises auspiciousness. Many shops cover their new signage with either red cloth or red paper prior to the opening of their shop. These photos were taken today at Singapore's newest North-East shopping icon: NEX.

As mentioned, fortunately, the road leading towards this side of Kim Seng Road is only one way. And the one way is say from marking in red B to A. If one were to walk slowly from the pedestrian path from A to B; and new to the area, will need to ponder over the signage or look back!

The Cosmopolitan consists oftwin towers. Afreehold condominium located at the junction of Kim Seng Road and River Valley Road. Attention to details like this unique signage outside the condominium to take advantage of readibility of it's sign at a junction! Take a look. And just imagine, that you were driving along Kim Seng Road cum River Valley Road.. in such a situation; the sign is so easy to read. Fortunately, this is a one way street. As such, imagine again, if you were to or could drive on the opposite side; you have a hard time figuring the sign!!