Cecil Lee

The picture shows a typical Chinese building roof in the 1940's. Although the roof is not as elaborate as temple roofs but it shares a similar design as many traditional building roofs. Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. This picture shows the frontage of a Chinese rest house cum restaurant or shall we call it a motel, in Singapore in the 1940's. 2. It is interesting to see my father, on the right and a family member in the clothing of that period. Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. This picture shows a circular entrance to Chinese gardens. This picture was taken around 1930's. 2. Nowadays, it is rare to find these entrances other than at tourist spots. 3. The picture shows my grandfather and grandmother. By the way, my grand mother is wearing a Cheong sam dress. 4. If you look carefully in some of the family photos, under the topic: Chinese culture: What is the Cheong sam dress? you should spot my grandmother in some of these pictures. Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. This picture shows a retail company of the early 1930's. 2. Usually the shop occupy two levels and looks quite dark. 3. If you notice carefully, there is a a display at the frontage of the shop. I believe this shop is selling crockery or porcelain ware. 4. Notice that some of the workers are wearing singlets and working at their desks. 5. Today, many such companies have become wholesalers or sole agents for certain products. There are some which failed and closed down. In Singapore, it can be quite hot especially if there is no fan. (Air-con was not invented then). How fortunate we are today with proper lighting and (aircon)! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Picture of a bungalow house built around 1920's.

[Family photos showing clothings worn during 1930s to 1940s.] 1. Under the second picture 2, casual dressing of the elderly, you can see the picture of my great grandmother on the right of the picture. In the past, it is very auspicious for one to be carried or even see your great grandmother alive! I am fortunate to do so. But she died a few years after I was born i.e. around age 3 years old. The reason why it is common to have the opportunity to `see' one's great great grandmother was because of early marriages and naturally early births. Nowadays, with people marrying late, one is lucky if one sees one's grand father! But few if ever would get to see their great great grandfather or more likely grandmother. In the past, marriages were arranged immediately after one was born. One even can get married at 12 years old! In Singapore, it is illegal for sex or marriage with a child below 16 years old. So this traditional practice cannot be continued today. 2. Picture of Nonya or Baba lady The picture on the extreme left is an unidentified lady wearing a typical nonya or baba dressing. Who are the nonyas or baba? Please refer to the picture: nonya.jpg under the attachment below. (Available only under the web forum. In Singapore, Malaysia (especially the state of Malacca) there were often mixed cultural marriages between the Chinese (imigrants) and the local Malays. This intermarriage created a group of people known as the Baba Chinese or Nonya Chinese. The difference between these Chinese is that their language is a `mix' of both Chinese and Malay. Many of these Chinese speak Malay rather than Chinese. It is also very common to live in an extended family i.e. the entire family members from Great grand father to the young of their great grand child.

1. Enclosed please find a picture (around 1940's) of a nine storey high pagoda. 2. This picture was taken at the Har Par Villa, a Singapore attaction. The attraction has recently been commercialised and still around. 3. Typical pagodas have odd number storeys. For example, 5 storeys, 7 storeys, 9 storeys etc... 4. In the past, the pagoda is built on top of ley lines or water courses. It is a known fact that water faults do cause problems. To find out more, go to this url: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/under.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil

[Archive: Family Photos : 1930's to 1940's] What is the Cheong sam? 1. The Cheong sam is a dress worn by women. (Usually, the middle and upper class). 2. The beauty of the Cheong sam is that it allows a women to `show off' their figure! 3. To this day, it is still continued to be worn by many women for formal occassions e.g. wedding dinners and other functions. Is the Cheong sam comfortable to be worn? 1. Sorry, I am not a lady so cannot truely comment. 2. I understand that you as it is tight fitting, you really and I mean really must have the figure to wear it else it may be quite uncomfortable. Can the Cheong sam be worn by the young (young ladies) and the old)? Yes, provided you still have that `sexy' figure and would like to flaunt it! In some of the pictures, (for example, my grand mother who is seated on the extreme right at the front row of the second picture attachment below). It is common to see shapely `elderly' ladies, wearing the cheong sam. They do have the figure indeed. For those who log in to the web forum, you can view quite a few pictures from my private family collection. I believe the pictures are taken around 1930s to 1940s. Warmest Regards, Cecil

By how, after having seen the earlier wedding photos under this forum, I believe it is not difficult for you to recognise the double happiness symbol. This photograph is the wedding photograph of my grandfather and grandmother. My grandmother is now over 90 years old and staying with my auntie (my father's only sister in Brisbane, Australia). In Chinese weddings, you will also notice that flowers are abundant like any other weddings around the world. A second wedding photo (undated) is another (unidentifid wedding couple. One interesting thing to note is the carpet they are standing on. At the centre of the picture: It looks like two peacocks facing each other. Warmest Regards, Cecil

In this last part of the Chinese ceremony: 1. Home prayers are conducted by a Taoist priest. In the first picture, if you look carefully in one of the pictures, you will see that the man (wearing a white shirt) has a square piece of cloth held by a pin on his left short sleeeve of his shirt. Traditionally, Chinese wear a piece of square cloth on their clothing and the colour of the cloth deplicts the relationship with the dead. The piece of square cloth is worn during the period of mourning. During the mourning period, family members must not wear colourful clothings but white or black clothings. Notice also in the first picture that family members are wearing the straw dress during the ceremony. Notice also that they are carrying straw (beige or white) lanterns. These lanterns are used mainly for funeral purposes. Contrast this to lanterns of similar shape but in Red colour. Red coloured lanterns are for the living and commonly placed inside the homes (especially in the past when there is no electricity. Nowadays, a pair of red lanterns are commonly found on each side e.g. outside the main entrance. Colours such as red or bright colours cannot be worn. If so, this is disrespectful to the dead. 2. Elaborate paper homes and lantern are displayed and later burned. Paper `money', paper cars etc.. are also offered to the dead. In the hope that he can use it in his after life. Nowadays, even paper handphones, paper hifi equipment, paper television sets and even paper credit cards are burned. In the hope that the dead can make use of it. 3. Finally, in some of the pictures you can the profile of the gravesite which is in the shape of a Horse shoe. Symbollically, the horse shoe design of the gravesite is that the horse shoe shape acts like a solid backing for the back of the grave. This is identical to the Four Symbolic Animals for Yang Feng Shui. In this case, Yin or Feng Shui of the dead also provides for a solid backing for the gravesite. Warmest Regards, Cecil

On reaching the gravesite, 1. The coffin is lowered. The first picture (lowering of coffin) shows clearly the profile of the front shape of a typical traditional Chinese coffin. For the bedroom, it is not auspicious to have a headboard that looks like this side view of a Chinese coffin. 2. The next step is as shown in Part 1, the dotting of the eyes of the portrait of the dead. 3. A ceremony is performed prior to the lowering and covering up of the coffin. If you logged in to the forum, please click on the attached photo views. Warmest Regards, Cecil

I like to share with everyone my family photos on the burial cremony of my grandfather. Date of pictures 1962 In Part 1, you will see:- 1. The burial procession It starts with the funeral procession starting from my grand father's uncompleted extension to the home. The funeral procession will lead to the burial site. 2. An interesting ceremony of `placing' eyes to the portrait of my grand father. The portrait will be placed at home at an alter. This is commonly called Ancestor Worship. Dotting the eyes would ensure that the dead have eyes so that he can `see'. The picture will show the eldest son who has to carry his father's photo on his back. Did you also notice the straw clothing he is wearing? This is the typical `dressing' for members of the immediate family. Similar customs is also done for dotting the eyes of e.g. a dragon boat or the eyes of the head of a lion dance costume. Please click on the web forum pictures. Warmest Regards, Cecil

[Cross posted from the conference: Chinese Culture (General}] Although not all spiders are harmless, the Chinese consider it as one of the Five poisonous `animals'. The five poisonous animals are: The spider, snake, scorpion, centipide and toad. These animals symbolise plagues and drought. In the past, a charm (please click on the picture attachment below). Please note for viewing purposes the background of the charm is on yellow background. In fact, the background should instead be red. This charm is displayed during the Dragon Boat festival which is on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. On the other hand, in western countries a bat is considered sinister and associated with evil. For the Chinese, symbolism or phonetic sound of the name for bat in Mandarin is `Fu' or Luck. For this reason, the Chinese consider it lucky. In many cases, you can see wood cravings on panels with Five bats. This symbol of five bats together signifies: health, long life, wealth, love of virtue and natural death. Please see picture of the five bats. Warmest Regards, Cecil P.S. Mailing list members will not be able to see these pictures unless one logs in to the website forum.

Dear Anon, Apologise for the late response. The peacock symbolises beauty and dignity. Its feathers were used as decorations ofr meritous deeds. Often, the picture of a peacock with a full spread of its tail is part of a congratulation message on the opening of a shop. Under the Manchu rule in China, peacock features were used as an insignia denoting a rank. In paintings it is denotes an official of the court. To both the Chinese and Christians, it is said to be able to drive away evil spirits. It was later that the peacock with wrongly asociated with pride through its beautiful plume and love for displaying it. Warmest Regards, Cecil Christians

Will remember to take a picture the next time I pass that house:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, So far, I do not believe that anyone has painted their walls black. Black creates a dark environment. Contrast this with a white wash house that looks bright and clean. Therefore, there is some truth in the statement. Applying the 33.3 percent ruleset, other black objects or items should not be an issue here. For example, IBM products are all black. Their excellent IBM thinkpad notebook PCs, some high end PCs are all encased in black. Robert and myself, do use these black machines without cause for concern. Overall, one can also apply the 33.3 percent ruleset where less than 33.3 percent is not going to affect a person. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Users, This is based on a request to find out more about " bungalow " houses. Basically a bungalow is actually a complete house. While a semi-detached house is one where there are two units but each house has a fencing at the middle and perhaps owned by two different owners. I will attach more pictures once I take more of these houses. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. I do not believe that the subject is taboo. Sorry if it seems to make one think that I find such subject taboo. Let me share with you my personal views on the above issues. One reason why sometimes, I do not reply these messages is because, it is difficult to give an advise without knowing more or as I believe, other avenues would perhaps offer a better solution to Feng Shui. So I have "procrastinated" answering these questions. To those users, sorry about it. I do intent to reply the few questions on these issues. I also do not like to give advise if I believe it cannot work (although it can raise hopes! Which is the lesser evil?) Should I then give false hopes? May be it will work? i.e. the power of suggestion? 2. It is my personal belief that improving relationships is based more on external influences rather than Feng Shui. 3. Thus more success is attributed to other reasons e.g. maturity of the couple, understanding etc.. 4. For example, when a person reach a certain age, under the law it range from being 16 years, 18years or 21 years of age. At this age, our `habbits' and characters are already deeply ingrained in us. 5. I personally find that one should not place too much hopes in Feng Shui for the issue of improving relationships. This is because, it depends on both parties that need to work together e.g. understanding, commitment to each other etc... And even attend workshops or go for counselling sessions. To discover about themselves and their partners. 6. I always believe that we should only use the best tools of e.g. Feng Shui, Destiny or Bazhi. But in my personal opinion, there is no direct link between these theories to `improving relationships' nor fertility. If there is a direct relationship, someone would have written, or followed up by many Feng Shui practitioners on this topic. Even Bazhi Feng Shui has no DIRECT connection with these two issues. The end result you will see an endless stream of books written on the above. Have many of us come across such a book? Think about it. The closest and most common advise is to locate the "relationshop" corner under Eight Aspirations which is based on "kindergarden" Feng Shui. 7. Current tools like Flying Star can locate sickness sectors. For example, if one is constantly sick, and if it is due to the sickness or misfortune star, `curing' it helps. But let me emphasise that there is no direct relationship with fertility or improving relationships. Most of the cures or claims for cures would in my opinion be partially based on " Chinese beliefs ". For some people, it is beliefs like, before the wedding, the couple invite a healthy baby boy to roll over their bed etc... Do you find it logical for this practise? Does it come under Feng Shui? But in my personal opinion, as I mentioned above, both parties for example must make an effort to make things work between themselves. 8. I do not like the idea of giving false hopes that e.g. placing a object at a location or even changing bedrooms e.g. from master bedroom to another room would automatically improve one's relationship. 9. I understand that Feng Shui can in someway help in the issue of relationship and fertility but nowadays, it is more complex. For example, we have developed the module on Pillars of Comparison to determine the binding element for two persons. More software will be developed once we can find something useful. The rationale is because of the complexities of clashes, elements etc.. computing power is the obvious choice for such analysis. Chinese astrology also provides the compatibility and degree of compatibility of two persons (Year of birth) under www.lovesigns.net This allows one to understand our personal `characteristics' or `traits' and other people's charactertistics. By doing so, one can then better understand each other's `faults' and imperfections. However, these Chinese signs like its Western Zodiac sign cousins can tell us what it is like or `predict' week after week but unlike e.g. Flying Star analysis, is unable to offer a `cure'. For example, if there is an imbalance of fire element.. what to do. 10. Therefore, we have always considered Chinese Astrology (Year of birth only) as found under lovesigns.net more for `fun'. 11. In the past, we do not have so much preservatives in our food, all types of genetically modified products, greater pollution, new diseases e.g. AIDs, hole in the ozone layer and many more modern problems, issue of whether Handphones are safe etc.. 12. I believe one should place more emphasis into the research to all these areas under science or medical research and not rely on Feng Shui under this area. It is easy to say that relationship or fertility has been improved through Feng Shui but the question is what is the success rate like or could it be due to other reasons? 13. Scientists and medical people have recently developed new methods to test fertility and even other break thrus in artificial insemination. It would be best left to experts in these areas to help the poor couple. Rather than relying too much on `Feng Shui' for such things. 14. I rather concentrate (for now) on what I believe i.e. things that work in Feng Shui e.g. identifying key problems such toilet at the centre, poison arrows aimed at main entrances and all other more focused research into Feng Shui. Some of us find it ok to have a mirror facing the bed while others are sensitive to it. Issues similar to these have to be addressed under topics such as fertility (are concerns for us). For one, I do not like to give false hopes to couples on improving relationships or to solve their fertility problems. 15. In our modern world, as I mentioned there are too many external factors that influence our relationship e.g. financial problems, stress in their jobs etc... 16. As the saying goes, " action speaks louder than words." Please prove it. Talk or making claims is simple but for most of us, we need to see some evidence or proof that it works effectively for most of us. 17. We must also try to measure the success rate. If the success rate is only 1 person out of 10,000 persons that find it effective. Can we say that it is a good `cure'? Would you "buy" or swallow such a claim? 18. As we do more research and study of Feng Shui, we hope to share things that really work. Anyone who wants to make claims, feel free to make them. The truth will ultimately prevail especially if claims cannot be fullfiled. Warmest Regards, Cecil P.S. For info, Bazhi Feng Shui refers to Pillars of Destiny. So far the best most reliable is the comparison of two persons to find their binding elements.

Dear Users New Additions to this forum! 1. Edu-Polls and Surveys Edu, refers to Educational Polls. You can now participate in interesting polls and surveys. The objective is to add depth to the understanding of Feng Shui and the results of the polls add interactivity and new knowledge to each of us. You can now find out how many people are comfortable sleeping with a mirror facing their bed. Or make a guess whether a building is auspicious? Do you know whether we should buy a decorative lamp or a chanderlier made of glass or crystal only? Can subsitutes like plastic or ceramic be used? Lighting is considered beneficial Qi Since lighting is considered beneificial Qi, does it matter if the lamp has to be glass or crystal. Can it be other materials like plastic? Yes, I think so. No, it has to be glass or crystal I give up! Current Results 2. Fun with Chinese Characters This new conference is an easy way to learn Chinese characters in a fun way! 3. Participating through a mailing list? For existing members participating thorough a mailing list, you can login to the forum, check the boxes to add these three conferences to your mailing list. Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee

Imagine, understand not only Feng Shui but learn Chinese characters!

Majority of Traditional Feng Shui practitioners will agree that light plays an important part in generating beneficial Qi. Do you know whether we should buy a decorative lamp or a chanderlier made of glass or crystal only? Can subsitutes like plastic or ceramic be used? Participate in the poll below:- Answer will appear at a later date under the conference: Answers! to the Fun Edu-Polls. Lighting is considered beneficial Qi Since lighting is considered beneificial Qi, does it matter if the lamp has to be glass or crystal. Can it be other materials like plastic? Yes, I think so. No, it has to be glass or crystal I give up! Current Results

Dear Anon, Usually, the advise is to "go slow" with Feng Shui. It has also to do with what is the level of Feng Shui one is prepared to go into? The quickest way (but cost money) is to go for a Full Feng Shui audit by a competent FS practitioner. Else, if one wants to `learn' (learning is not good enough) but rather applying Feng Shui, one has to spent time and effort like any other disciplines. Like I mentioned, there are lots of resources available both e.g. in this website. Starting point: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/theory.htm or get yourself books on Feng Shui. For calculation under the Eight House, I recommend you spent sometime to browse through http://www.geomancy.net/fs/house1.htm or use the computerised version at www.geomancy-online.com to generate your personal Eight House Theory. For more resources, do a SEARCH in this forum. The Free Advice (General Topics) already has 2213 messages (half of them are replies and responses). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, If one frequently falls sick in a home. Most likely if one does a Flying Star analysis, the `evil' 2 (sickness) or 5 misfortune star is at the location e.g. the bedroom. The proper Feng Shui tools should be used correctly to analyse or fine tune the situation. " What you see is not what I see ". Under the Shapes and Form School of Feng Shui, each of us have different levels of understanding. Some of us see nothing at all while others can pin point to the problem. One excellent example was what Evelyn Lip mentioned in one of her books. (Credit goes to her for this) I believe she brought out an example of an owner of the house, who faced difficulties with the home. I forgot what happened but it is a worse case senario where something like he nearly went bankrupt etc... Even after consultation of a Feng Shui expert, the problem was still not solved. Until one day, a Feng Shui Master went to the house and at low tide, saw a figurine or rock in the shape of a frog with its mouth open facing the house. Here, he finally found the problem! The mouth of the frog has to be placed with e.g. an object to symbolise it having something in it. Only after, this then things returned to `normal'. As human beings, we prefer to try to look for quick fix solutions. Anything that we consider can bring us luck, some of us may just go and buy it. Here, if we relate to purchasing such objects with the purpose of enhancing our `luck', wealth etc... Is it fair for me to say that will we have good feng shui as your question asks: How do we know if Feng Shui is working? In the first place, these are not Feng Shui! So, it is anybody's guess. But if one asks question like, I am frequently sick, and if the analysis done is that there is indeed a sickness sector. Perhaps the recommendation, is to move to another room more (taking into consideration, eight house etc..) This is related to Feng Shui and the results should be expected.. that it will work once a person moves room or place a proper cure. Hope you understand the " Garbage Feng Shui IN, Garbage OUT. " This is one reason why some lose faith in Feng Shui. Can we blame Feng Shui or regard it as a Quick Fix, Catch all solution? Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Recently, there are quite alot of discussions on statues and objects. For those who have been in this forum for quite sometime will know that I am going to say that this is related to Chinese beliefs. Some may not even be Chinese beliefs but believes of various people or simply decorative art works. The most common statues found outside Chinese buildings or homes are a pair of lions on each side of the main entrance. It is common to find these statues nearly everywhere. It can be at the main entrance of a restaurant or at the stairs leading to the restaurant. It is found outside Chinese shops and buildings. If one looks at the statute carefully, it is standing solidly at the entrance with the purpose of guarding the main entrance. Here, symbolically, we can see the relevance of the main entrance being very important location of the building house. Nowadays, I see even a pair of pigs, lazying on top of the pillars of a house. Each pig carrying an umbrella. Here, we should understand that these are decorative pieces. My saying goes instead of What you see is what you get, rather " What you buy is what you get ". True traditional Feng Shui is about checking whether there is an imbalance of the Five Elements. Simple and common cure is the use of the 6 coins (which is cheap to get and serves the purpose). It cannot be helped if you go out and buy rare antique ancient Chinese coins to place it at that location. Alternatively, say you get a pure gold ingot and place it at that location. There is thus a question mark as to the effectiveness of purposely purchase statues in the hope?...... Wealth? Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. A recent message has provided the colours for all the various elements. Reference url: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/colours.htm 2. Overall, one must remember that colours is secondary to Feng Shui. 3. Although it is quite important, but I have to emphasise that it is second to other more important points. For example, if one's house has a toilet at the centre of the house. The most likely effect is a drain in finances or problems with `retaining money.' 4. Other bad Feng Shui include a poison arrow aimed at the main entrance of the house. 5. More scary ones include the description of recent house where death will occur twice (I believe this is shown under the conference: Photo Tours of Interest (with attachments) 6. The above two examples show that the Feng Shui of the house has to be corrected first. 7. The above relates to the Feng Shui of the home. The influence will be on those who stay in the house. 8. Under Pillars of Destiny, it is more on the individual. Here we can still apply the 33.3 percent rule set where if it is less than 33.3 percent the influence is `neglible'. For example, it does not really matter if you wear a diamon ring or a sapphire ring. Wear what you enjoy or like. 9. For clothing, since it can cover 33.3 percent or more of our body, you can, in my opinion, wear colours that suits a person. 10. Alhough one can say that Blue and Red are opposite spectrum, but if we look at these two colours in another perspective, we can say that they are instead Yang colours. The three primary colours: Red, Green and Blue are Yang colours. Some include Yellow also. Therefore, colours are not really like a stove and a water element. If one wears a bright red and blue the two colours do not really mix but it implies "Yang". Take for example, the comic book, tv series and movie series on Superman. If one notice the Superman character, he wears an outside Red `underwear', over blue clothing and has a red cape. Overall, the significance is the `youthful', yang person. Other than Christopher Reeves which had an unfortunate horse riding accident, I believe it is not related to him wearing the the superman outfit as he is not doing filiming when it happened. Superman series both in comics, films etc.. are a commercial success. Similarly, some companies e.g. Advertising companies or companies which wants a `loud' voice / presence may use red and blue logos. Warmest Regards, Cecil