a dumb question about heart as a love symbol

[jungkang]

As Valentine's day approaches in the corner, I am thinking why placing a heart shaped object in a bedroom is auspicious for romance in Feng Shui? To simplify my point, Feng Shui is about balancing energy, and I believe that it's all related to natural creations. On the other hand, a heart shape, symbolizing love and romance, was created by human imagination. It's not part of nature. For instance, a dragon or tiger object should not be placed in a bedroom because it is "yan" rather than "yin." It makes sense to me because it looks aggressive and powerful in nature (even a 3-year-old child will feel the same). However, if I ask a 3-year-old child, who has never been taught that a heart shape means love, to look at a heart shape and tell me what he/she thinks about it, there will be many possible answers to it, perhaps nothing relating to love. Therefore, why many Feng Shui practitioners believe that a heart shaped object is a good feng shui in a bedroom?

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
Yes, you brought up an interesting question.
As you have mentioned that many " FS practitioners " had recommended placing the Heart shaped symbol in the bedroom.
In my opinion, I believe that this is a "modern idea" especially if it is associated with Feng Shui.
Traditional Feng Shui practitioners (I mean those practitioners i.e. Chinese and coming from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and the Far East do not usually need to provide such an advise.
This is because rather of the strong belief in the use of `standard' Mandarin symbols as shown in the link below:-
http://www.geomancy.net/mypictures/cgi-bin/imagesearch.cgi?img=0&search=happiness&cat=all&x=21&y=16
The various simples and even `cutting' .... usually these are paper cuttings. On red paper.
Red represents auspiciousness and if one looks at the symbol of the DOUBLE HAPPINESS one can see a mirror image or mirror of both images.
For many years, Chinese do not need the advise of a FS practitioner on the placement of double happiness symbols as it is strongly rooted in their beliefs.
Especially for the marriage couple, the double happiness symbols would appear on flower arrangements during their Chinese marriage ceremony and in their bedroom.
The Heart symbol has more to do with Western FS practitioners... in trying to perhaps create this `belief'.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 2/10/01 9:55:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
As Valentine's day approaches
in the corner, I am thinking
why placing a heart shaped
object in a bedroom is
auspicious for romance in Feng
Shui? To simplify my point,
Feng Shui is about balancing
energy, and I believe that
it's all related to natural
creations. On the other hand,
a heart shape, symbolizing
love and romance, was created
by human imagination. It's
not part of nature. For
instance, a dragon or tiger
object should not be placed in
a bedroom because it is "yan"
rather than "yin." It makes
sense to me because it looks
aggressive and powerful in
nature (even a 3-year-old
child will feel the same).
However, if I ask a 3-year-old
child, who has never been
taught that a heart shape
means love, to look at a heart
shape and tell me what he/she
thinks about it, there will be
many possible answers to it,
perhaps nothing relating to
love. Therefore, why many
Feng Shui practitioners
believe that a heart shaped
object is a good feng shui in
a bedroom?

[Cecil Lee]

In addition to the link which I mentioned below, you can also check out the photos under:
http://www.geomancy.net/mypictures/cgi-bin/imagesearch.cgi?img=0&search=wedding&cat=all&x=32&y=10
In the above link, you can click to view Page 2 and 3 ... pictures of the double happiness symbol and some Chinese wedding photos with the double happiness symbol.
Thus, in Traditional China and today, the Double Happiness Symbol is used rather than the Heart Shape...
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 2/10/01 8:42:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Anon,
Yes, you brought up an
interesting question.
As you have mentioned that
many " FS practitioners " had
recommended placing the Heart
shaped symbol in the bedroom.
In my opinion, I believe that
this is a "modern idea"
especially if it is associated
with Feng Shui.
Traditional Feng Shui
practitioners (I mean those
practitioners i.e. Chinese and
coming from Taiwan, China,
Hong Kong and the Far East do
not usually need to provide
such an advise.
This is because rather of the
strong belief in the use of
`standard' Mandarin symbols as
shown in the link below:-
http://www.geomancy.net/mypict
ures/cgi-bin/imagesearch.cgi?i
mg=0&search=happiness&cat=all&
x=21&y=16
The various simples and even
`cutting' .... usually these
are paper cuttings. On red
paper.
Red represents auspiciousness
and if one looks at the symbol
of the DOUBLE HAPPINESS one
can see a mirror image or
mirror of both images.
For many years, Chinese do not
need the advise of a FS
practitioner on the placement
of double happiness symbols as
it is strongly rooted in their
beliefs.
Especially for the marriage
couple, the double happiness
symbols would appear on flower
arrangements during their
Chinese marriage ceremony and
in their bedroom.
The Heart symbol has more to
do with Western FS
practitioners... in trying to
perhaps create this `belief'.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
It is interesting to note that in China and for Chinese living outside of China in the era prior to 1940's; love is never the first choice.
Most marriages I am aware of, especially during the period before 1940's are arranged marriages.
Thus, LOVE is not the main issue. During that period and earlier... majority of marriages are arranged. There is no opportunity for LOVE at first sight for many youngsters of the time.
Love or DOUBLE Happiness?
It is interesting to note that many people who " fall in love " have ended up in divorce (or a high divorce rate even for the Chinese today).
But DOUBLE Happiness?
I do not want to be cruel but, even if there is no REAL LOVE; perhaps as the Double Happiness symbol suggest, there is still Happiness. As both couples try to stick with each other through sickness or health.
In my opinion, love can be developed... (even thru arranged marriages... where couples go on to their silver jubilee and onwards...) A Chinese saying goes.. from black hair to grey hair.. for the couple.
Thus, what I feel is that the Double Happiness symbol has more meaning than the symbol of a heart. Some even say that a heart with the pointed tail can bring sha qi. Like a triangle ventilation hole above e.g the couples bedroom.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 2/10/01 9:55:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
As Valentine's day approaches
in the corner, I am thinking
why placing a heart shaped
object in a bedroom is
auspicious for romance in Feng
Shui? To simplify my point,
Feng Shui is about balancing
energy, and I believe that
it's all related to natural
creations. On the other hand,
a heart shape, symbolizing
love and romance, was created
by human imagination. It's
not part of nature. For
instance, a dragon or tiger
object should not be placed in
a bedroom because it is "yan"
rather than "yin." It makes
sense to me because it looks
aggressive and powerful in
nature (even a 3-year-old
child will feel the same).
However, if I ask a 3-year-old
child, who has never been
taught that a heart shape
means love, to look at a heart
shape and tell me what he/she
thinks about it, there will be
many possible answers to it,
perhaps nothing relating to
love. Therefore, why many
Feng Shui practitioners
believe that a heart shaped
object is a good feng shui in
a bedroom?

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
Apologies, as I do not give the idea of spending too much time replying to this question. But I forgot to mentioned an important point.
If this is modern practise especially by Western practitioners who may not be too familiar with the Double Happiness symbol, it would be best, at least, if one display the symbol of a heart to (instead display DOUBLE Hearts) i.e. One heart can be placed overlap (half-way) over the other heart.
Like the equivalent of the Double Happiness symbol, at least `LOVE' should come in a pair.
I wonder, if some unfortunate souls, could have just placed a single heart and symbolically .. imply.. a lonely heart.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 2/10/01 9:55:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
As Valentine's day approaches
in the corner, I am thinking
why placing a heart shaped
object in a bedroom is
auspicious for romance in Feng
Shui? To simplify my point,
Feng Shui is about balancing
energy, and I believe that
it's all related to natural
creations. On the other hand,
a heart shape, symbolizing
love and romance, was created
by human imagination. It's
not part of nature. For
instance, a dragon or tiger
object should not be placed in
a bedroom because it is "yan"
rather than "yin." It makes
sense to me because it looks
aggressive and powerful in
nature (even a 3-year-old
child will feel the same).
However, if I ask a 3-year-old
child, who has never been
taught that a heart shape
means love, to look at a heart
shape and tell me what he/she
thinks about it, there will be
many possible answers to it,
perhaps nothing relating to
love. Therefore, why many
Feng Shui practitioners
believe that a heart shaped
object is a good feng shui in
a bedroom?