Dear cecil,
Why chinese people give so much importance to mandarin duck. Its in the wall hangings, in the poetry and also on the dinner menu. Thanks.

Dear Anon,

1. A pair of Mandarin ducks is a traditional symbol of marital bliss, signifying a harmonious marriage.

2. When a reed is included in a picture of a Mandarin duck, it signifies the blessing, "May you do well in your examinations."

3. Depicting a lotus flower alongside a Mandarin duck symbolizes purity.

4. If a peony is drawn together with a pair of Mandarin ducks, it signifies wealth and prosperity within a marriage.

5. In the past, Chinese peasants often embroidered Mandarin duck motifs onto everyday items, such as pillowcases.

6. In certain Buddhist rituals, the word for duck (*Ya*) shares the same phonetic sound as another word that means "to suppress evil." In Taiwan, it was once common practice to slaughter a black duck (not a Mandarin duck) on Chinese New Year's Eve. The duck's blood was dripped onto a paper tiger, which was then burned at the city gates to rid the town of evil influences for the upcoming year.

Furthermore, in basic or "kindergarten" Feng Shui (based on the Eight Aspirations concept), some practitioners advise placing a pair of Mandarin ducks in the "relationship" corner of a home.

Warmest Regards,
Cecil

On 1/2/00 1:52:25 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
Why chinese people give so
much importance to mandarin
duck. Its in the wall
hangings, in the poetry and
also on the dinner menu.
Thanks.