Cecil Lee

Dear Sophia, Please see below:- Often, if such a painting is drawn, the fishes should be in their elements i.e. water. This is because under the productive cycle of the Five Elements concept, Metal - Your three fishes paintingwith chillies, onion and tomatoes etc... looks like the fishes are close to being cooked? This is really an odd painting. It seems very cruel type of painting. Fortunately, you did not present it to the Shaolin Monks! Else, they may take you to task! Firstly, they don't eat live "animals" andif such a painting is presented to them, they may perhaps scringe with agony at the thought of this painting. Frankly,hope you don't mind me saying, you do havelots of highly unusual paintings.

Dear Anon, I hope you can understand that since no two homes are identical or similar, it is quite difficult to place an exact percentage to a home. But often, especially in Asia the concept "the rich gets richer" remains very true for the fact that they often can buy beautiful sites to build their homes. The ideal type of homes are considered to have a "quantum leap" in Feng Shui. Which I had already shared some of the information. These types of homes usually have the characteristics of excellent external shapes and forms. While some others "borrow" or rather "rob" luck from others. Under the second category "rob" luck, here, you will often see a Geomancer scanning the environment looking at other built up areas or distinct landscapes. And advise their client(s) to build a building based on the Five elements concept to try to "steal" wealth from the neighbourhood. For example, if the neighbourhood has rectangular shaped buildings, the geomancer could perhaps, advise his / her client to build their building in the form of a wood element. Here, wood (with it's roots is/are capable of crushing "earth".) Distinctively, we often hear these three words echoed "Location, location & location" and NOT "Interior, interior and interior". Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Adeline, The best approach is breakdown luck into three categories: 1. Heaven Luck (what we are suppose to be born with) 2. Earth Luck (our home /office environment) 3. Human (Man) Luck (our relationship with each other) Commonly known as "the Holy Trinity of Luck". Each type of luck can either help boost or remain unchanged or degenerate depending on specifics. Our home/office (earth luck)usually can make alot of difference in wealth retention. However, for Man Luck, such as a person's ambition or non-ambition, this is difficult to change .. especially one's character. For example, there are many who continue to work for others but can be at a lost or find it too much a hassle being one's own boss. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Timothy, Since this is a rented place, one option is to "cover" it up e.g. some type of a poster/paper-sheet where it can easily be removed once you moved-out of the home. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Mac, There are two sides of the coin to this:- 1. Naturally from a Feng Shui point of view - under symbolism, it is not favourable to display animals such as wolves. In the Chinese history, wolves are not revered because these animals are considered as both cruel and greedy. In addition, a wolf-in-sheep's clothing is also considered as a lecter or sex-stalker. 2. However, in many other countries or customs, it is perfectly alright to have (in the past) rug skins. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Actually, many of the beliefs centres around the Grand Duke of Jupiter or the concern of Tai Sui. In fact, this year Tai Sui resides at SW sector until after the 15th day of the 1st lunar month. And because of this, this is why the idea of not "confronting Tai Sui" at SW on the 1st day of Chinese New Year. For next year i.e. in 2006 before the 15th day of the next 1st lunar month in 2006, Tai Sui will be at the West direction. Thus the belief is that one should not antagonise Tai Sui during the new year. There is no harm in playing safe. But one has to be practical, here. Imagine! if this is the only door, then looks like one should'nt leave the house for whatever reason on the first day. Imagine this "bad luck": A fire and need to exit the home! Unfortunate also, the tomb-stone on this silly person's grave reads: " To scared to offend Grand Duke (Tai Sui). Refused to run-out of his home with windows or main door at SW." In italics .... " Silly Fella - Father Tom Dick n Harry" Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, One of the methods or "conditions" that can help change a home to a Period 8 home is (besides renovations) is to invite the lion (lion-dance) into the home. This act of the lion "threatening" the home and in return, the owners hang a red-packet or hong-bao is traditionally done on the 15th day of the 1st month of the lunar calendar. Thus since this year's Chinese New Year (CNY) starts on 8 Feb 2005, traditionally the lion-dance is held on the last day of CNY or 22 Feb 2005. The lion dance actuallycame from Western Asia to China during theTangdynasty. For those with private business, do take note that for start of business, one shouldopen business either on the 2nd day of lunar new year or 4th or 6th or 8th or 10th day. Thus forthe service industry, you may have to start work on e.g. 9.2.2005. While for other business (which can afford to close for many days may startto open their business on15.2.2005); this year. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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