Cecil Lee

Dear Cheui May, Please see attached layout plan. The Shipping area should not be included in the layout. Regards, Cecil

Dear Tervino, Please see below:- 1. Under the Five Elements Concept, the idea here is that one should a balance (if possible) of all five elements. 2. Pillars of Destiny is a method used to deduce or find out the `breakdown' of the components of the Five Elements e.g. in a person. 3. In your case, you have been found to be a person with `strong wood' element. In such a situation, it is not always good to continue having `strong wood'. It has to be BALANCED. To balance strong wood, you can take advantage of METAL element. Under the destructive cycle of the Five Elements, Metal is said to destroy Wood. Since you have `strong wood', you can take advantage, by using METAL to destroy wood, thus exhausting your STRONG wood. Here, there are two advantages: 1. By using METAl to destroy wood, you thus exhaust the Strong Wood and neutralising it or weakening it. 2. For a person with a STRONG element, under the Five Elements Concept, it is said that to create wealth, one uses the element (under destructive cycle) to destroy the next element thus creating wealth. For example, in your case, METAL can be used to destroy STRONG wood to create wealth. How about a person with WEAK wood? This is the reverse of the above. In such a situation, it is not advisable for such a person to use METAL to destroy his/her WEAK wood further. This would further remove or `extinguish' the wood. For a weak Wood person, it would then be best to use WATER to strengthen his weak wood thus making it stronger. Under Pillars of Destiny, it is best to have all 5 elements (if possible). But, many of us may have one or more non-existant element. In your case, 0 water. It is more complex to look at individual components of a person's element as it takes some effort to `fiddle' with it. Therefore, Pillars of Destiny, uses a more realistic method i.e. simply to determine what true element you are. Are you say a Weak Wood or Strong Wood person. Usually, it takes into account elements that you are seriously lacking or overwhelmed with IN RELATION to the period where you were born and the particular season of influence at that time. For example, you could be born in a season of wood and it happens that Wood is at its strongest at this point. As mentioned above, the feasible thing to do is to look at your final element. Here, if you are a Strong Wood person, you can try to use more metal to `destroy' or neutralise some of your Strong Wood. Here, you can help to neutralise strong wood and at the same time create `wealth'. It depends on the strength of the `Wood'. As mentioned above, if you are: 1. Strong Wood person, you should first check your Luck Pillar and look at the period for example 1991 to 2001 to check on the season of influence. Is this season `good' for you? Under the Pillars of Destiny Luck Pillars report, you can see if the season either has no effect on your element or an effect. For example, this Year, the season of influence happens to be METAL. Since it is a METAL season, there is enough metal to neutralise your Strong Wood element thus, you should avoid, using too much metal here. This is because, by adding more metal, you will further weaken your Strong Wood. Therefore instead of neutralising it, you may even exhaust it. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear All, 1. One interesting thing to note about Feng Shui is as mentioned below, in the past, Feng Shui was done more to access the potential of a new city. 2. Here, if the city is situated in a good location, in general, it would mean that this would be good for the community. 3. Thus if we look at it, this means that overall, we as individuals may not need to do a Feng Shui audit for ourselves. 4. But of course, many of us, would like to have a `COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE' or one up, or an edge. 5. The above would mean that most of us, do not need to do a FS audit and can still prospher. 6. Thus there are some people, who have taken up on `Feng Shui' and have faired worse because of poor recommendations given. The usual caution like: `Playing with fire'; `A little knowledge is a dangerous thing'; `If it ain't broken why fix it'; 7. There were several cases, I read sometime back in the Feng Shui newsgroup that someone had his life ruined because his wife, listened to a FS practitioner and used up all the money on FS enhancements. Thus, bad "Feng Shui", has been dragged down to being accused of as a `root cause' of a broken marriage. Warmest Regards, Cecil Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Rev. Michael, I do agree with you. There are known `issues' ion flows and in there are also many brands of ion `charges' in the market to improve the `health' in a room. In the past, Feng Shui assessment is done more for a large site such as a city. Thus, in general, if it is a good site, commerce or livelyhood of the people located in the city can prospher. Nowadays, seems like more people are more concerned with `Feng Shui' of a specific location like a home. In my opinion, priority should always first go to S.W.O.T. analaysis. Here, S = Strenghts; W = Weakness; O = Opportunities; and lastly T = Threats. Even under the Shapes and Form Feng Shui a holistic approached is needed i.e. Environmental, Site, Building and location scanning are important. I feel that if the above basics are done right, other things like placement of a fan etc.. thou may be important are but in my opinion, are of secondary importance. Warmest Regards, Cecil Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, 1. This is a relatively new area for `western' names. 2. For the Chinese, this is easy as "Geomancy of finding a Name" is in place and as mentioned in a recent earlier message, there are three main Methods of Name finding. 3. Some Feng Shui or `Geomancy' practitioners I know, simply count the number of characters of a person's name e.g. George (6 characters) Livingstone (11 characters) and then `map' it to either YIN or YANG. Then use this to tell their clients that their name is either too yin, too yang or `balanced'. Well, this is in my opinion, the easiest way to find out if a `name' is too yin or too yang or balanced. But, as this is relatively new, not sure if it is that accurate. 4. There are some Mandarin/English translation books that provides the Mandarin eqivalent of a `Westerner's' name and `convert' this to Mandarin. 5. Mostly, this is for `seal carving' where you get your seal in Mandarin words that closely resemble either the meaning of your name or if it has no meaning, the phonetic sound of it. 6. This is a grey area and more needs to be looked into especially for `Western' names. 7. Geomancy is quite vast and it not only encompass, Finding a good name but face reading, hand reading etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tufani, 1. I am glad that you find this forum useful. 2. Feel free to browse the past messages in this forum. Or if you have a specific topic you want to find out, please use the SEARCH feature to find it. 3. If you do not find what you want, do post a message. Please see below:- For names, currently, what we know presently is that: a. Chinese names or each character can be identified as either Yin or Yang by the strokes of the name. b. Yes, for Chinese names, it is based on `dictionary' meaning. c. A variant of Para a. is the phonetic sound of a name. For example, Chinese rely heavily on `sound like'. Such as a pear sounds like `li' or separation. Thus considered not auspicious. d. Sorry, for mentioning only about Chinese names above as it is the known way of finding a good name either by: - looking at each word. For example, a name may be TAN AH TECK which may have i.e. TAN (YIN), AH (YAN) and TECK (YIN). Thus this implies 2 Yins and 1 Yang in the name. Here, one can relate to one's Pillars of Destiny to see if this is `beneifical' or not or whether the name has too many Yins or Yangs. e. For other names, not Chinese Names, this may be a "controvesy" as it is relatively new area. f. I believe, some people have `capitalized' on this for `English' names by counting the number of characters and thus assuming that it is Yin or Yang. This is new and need more `reseach'. Finding a good name is another aspect of GEOMANCY and is a `related' field. Thus based on "Geomancy of one's name", the methods used are: Method 1: 1. Counting each stroke of a name and total it up. For example, the total comes to 43. This is then looked at to see what significance `43' is. Method 2: 2. Each character of a name has either Yin or Yang. Then count how many Yin's or how many Yang's there are. Method 3: 3. In conjuction with Pillars of Destiny. Here, if one lacks the water element, usually a Chinese name will have `water' added to it. For example: TAN AH SHUI Here, the name has been added with `Shui' which means WATER. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Rev. Michael, 1. Based on my personal experience, it is best to firstly, follow the Shapes and Form School of Feng Shui in determining the best direction for a bed. Here, where possible when one opens the bedroom door, it should not directly face the bed (e.g. the leg portion). Most bedrooms now have an attached bathroom and it is considered not auspicious to place the bed on the same wall as the toilet wall especially on the opposite wall as the toilet bowl. 2. As mentioned above, conditions for `Shapes and Form' Feng Shui has first to be met before using other Feng Shui theories. 3. Next, we can use the Eight House Theory. Here, take it as a bonus if the bed can be placed on one of our good sectors i.e. Heath, Longevity, Prosperity... 4. In addition to the above, it would be AN ADDED bonus, if we could sleep with our head pointed to a good direction. 5. As we can, Para 3 and 4 are `nice' to have situations so long as we can try to maximize our `gains' under the Shapes and Form Feng Shui. For example, it is not advantages if we place our bed on a wall which is next to the toilet bowl even if this is our `prosperous' sector under Eight House Theory. 6. In my region, there are many Feng Shui practitioners who knows only the Shapes and Form Feng Shui plus the Eight House to do assessments. Many of these practitioners do not use the Flying Star. 7. So, the next question asked is how does the Flying Star Feng Shui fit in? 7.1. The Flying Star Theory should, in my opinion, still come after having done the Shapes and Form assessment. 7.2. Some practitioners would totally skip, the Eight House and do the Flying Star assessement, after the Shapes and Form. Here, again, it would be a BONUS if the bedroom happens to be one of the good sectors of the house. More importantly, for the Flying Star is to neutralise any imbalances caused. For example, if there is sickness or misforunte star in the bedroom, one should apply the appropriate cure to neutralise it. 8. Thus, what I am trying to say is that, no matter what, priority should be given to Shapes and Form assessment. It is not good to just look in isolation and try to use only the Flying Star or the Eight House and adjust the bed based on only these two theories. 9. I have mentioned or drawn caricatures where, if there is a `leak' in a boat, we should first plug the `leak' first. Then afterwards, do what "we want". This is like the `Dutch' story where, if there is a leak in a dam, we should plug it first. If not, the leak gets bigger and bigger and calamity may strike. 10. Thus, Feng Shui should be looked at in a holistic way. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Peter, 1. In this website and all modules, please take the compass direction of the main entrance door by standing at the centre of the house and look at the compass to determine the direction of the main entrance. 2. In this site, we do not recommend standing at the main entrance looking outside to take the compass direction of the main entrance. If you are still in doubt, please click on this URL to find out on the proper method of taking a compass reading: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/cecilcompass.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Caroline, Perhaps, you can draw a sketch as I may not correctly get what you mean. Do you mean that when you walk thru the main entrance, you see the closet? How is the closet. Do one turn and walk in to the living room. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. In a documentary which I had seen around 6 months ago, it hightlighted the `plight' of aids spreading across China. 2. In that documentary, it is quite scary to learn that at least a few million Chinese (in a nearly 1 billion population) has aids. The aids in China had spread especially in cities and the `exploition' girls into prostitution in the cities. It is no suprise because of the opening up of China, money plays an essential role and acts as a catalyst for the poorer Chinese girls who wants a better life. 3. Thus, I believe, all countries both in Africa and all continents have a huge burden on aids. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. You have brought up a very interesting topic. 2. Being born in Asia, I do get to see or `learn' of the various customs and practises of the Chinese, the Indians and the Malays. 3. For the Indians, it is (if I am not wrong) it is usually the bride's side which has to fork out a dowry. This is to compensate the husband's family for `feeding' the wife. 4. For the Chinese, especially modern Chinese, compensation is usually in the form of asking or negotiating with the bride's side on how many wedding (dinner) tables they require. 5. The parent-in-law usually, will also give jewellery or heirloom to the bride. Such as bracelets, etc... This depends on the wealth of the bridegroom `side'. 6. Sometimes, a Cantonese family (bride's side) would request for a whole pig and jewellery. 7. For Teochew Chinese family, (bride's side) would normally request for 4 types of gold. 8. Other than this, not much is asked nowadays. Some even dispense with the above practise. But usually, the bridegroom's side would still present some gold jewellery to the bride. It could be a pair of earings etc.. 9. For the Chinese, after marriage, the bride `belongs' to the bridegroom's family. 10. Here, for example: Miss Christine Chen Ai Ling, because of her marriage can be known as Mrs Christine TAN Ai Ling (take the husband's surname). 11. For the Indians, the bride also marries and stay with the husband's side. 12. This is not the case for the Malays (a majority race of Muslims who live especially in Malaysia and Indonesia). 13. Here, when a man marries this bride, he instead stays with his bride's family (assuming they do not have a home of their own yet). My believe is that, because of this the bride can adjust easily with her marriage life. Rather than to stay with `strangers' i.e. a husband and their in-laws. 14. Sometimes if the in-laws are unreasonable or cannot get along with her, then she would have the added `stress.' Some may even comtemplate suicide. Thus the `dowry' in modern times are few and as many parents are reasonable and want to see their children i.e. many who have only one or two children to be happy. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. I believe everyone is happy to learn of this greatest achievement which can bring added years to our children. For us, lets hope that there are some breakthru's at least. 2. Last one or two days ago, I read in my local newspaper that English Hospitals are including/introducing acupuncture as part of the `cures'. 3. In my opinion, the breakthru's of this research has more firstly to do with `preventive' medicine i.e. testing out people to check for specific diseases. And if possible offer a `cure' especially for younger people. While existing medicine, at least for the next decade or two or more would still have to be used for `older people' who do not have the opportunity perhaps to have some `cells' replaced. 4. Certainly a great cause for JOY! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Ceciling or electrical fan are considered `modern' inventions at the age where electricity was invented. 2. In some articles, it was said that an air conditioner is `worse-off'. This is because, usually, air is circulated in a `closed' room. If the aircon filters or dampness, fugus could grow and circulate within the room. Furthermore, air or moisture in the room becomes very dry. 3. Some Feng Shui practitioners believe the rotation of the fan blades (I believe some feel that if they are made of metal) would create `metal' disturbance. 4. In my opinion, if it is a `daily necessity' it is still acceptable to be used. 5. As the ceiling fan is an economical means of `cooling' a room (minimal amount of electricity as opposed to an aircon), I would say that it can be used. 6. So far, there are few side effects from the use of fans (if any). If one gets stomach upsets etc.. it could be because of other things or perhaps that person is `sensitive' to the `fan'. In any case, the speed can be adjusted to a comfortable level. 7. All these such as use of fans are considered secondary to `Feng Shui'. There are more important considerations in Feng Shui such as good Shapes and Form of the home. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear LM, 1. Thanks for the clarification. Based on what you have mentioned, looks like a poison arrow. 2. A neutral method is to close the curtain. But avoid too thick a curtain which may create a `darker' room. The next best alternative, for "defence" is to place a Ba Gua mirror above the window of the window. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Mark, 1. It would be nice if we can have a look at the design. But not `compulsory' thou. 2. Where possible, doors should open inwards into the house and not outwards. 3. It is acceptable to have carved doors especially, if the owners like them. There is no `fixed' rule on the type of carved door used. 4. In fact, there are many houses in the `past' where decorative panels are used on doors. 5. Nowadays, the most common (in relation to temple main doors)are the `proud' figures of the two famous door gods one on each side of the door panel. 6. Normally a nice designed door panel is good to have and would not be a `horrible mistake'. As I do not have a full view of the door, can only comment up to here. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear AM, 1. Yes, I do agree with you that if one is doing Feng Shui on your own, it would be difficult to apply everything universally. 2. This is because no amount of text-book can address `unique' situations. 3. I remembered some years back when a user of this forum wrote that houses in Sweden have their kitchen in an `island' or pumping which is `contrary' to Feng Shui. 4. It boils down to experience and this is where a FS practitioner or `Master' can make the difference. 5. Your situation is not unsimilar to many condominums where some units have their main entrance door facing `land' while their `frontage' or balcony faces water. 6. So far, I believe no book has fully addressed the `frontage' of a house. This is because, by writing `theories' or concepts based on the `frontage' of the house, it is very difficult to `apply' or some FS practitioners may simply `critize' the writing. The main reason for `critism' is that it is very difficult to apply as there may not be fixed rules such as how to find the `correct' direction of the main entrance. A "frontage" can be wide and where do we then locate and determine where the main entrance door is? 7. Because it is so difficult to determine the main entrance, such analysis can be subject to critism by die hard, Traditionalist FS practitioners. 8. In my opinion, as at now, if one is to use the Flying Star Feng Shui to analyse a house, one should still do it the traditional method of finding the direction of the main entrance door and reference it to one of the 24 directions (in 15 degree increments). 9. For a "Shapes and Form" practitioner, or one who `specialises' in it, this is easier as assessment of the home can be made in relation to `frontage' or just looking at the house in relation to its environment. 10. Thus, your house, would most likely based on your description `fit' a healthy image of even an excellent home. When we look at the frontage in relation to water positions, so far, no books have yet to be written on it, may thus give confusion or sadness to owners of such `unique' houses. Thus, it could instead turn out to be quite the opposite ie. it could be an `excellent' or `good' house. 11. So long as the water can be `tamed' and there is no element of `surprise' such as sudden flooding etc... then the frontage you mentioned, in my opinion, works for you. (Just a hunch) Warmest Regards Cecil

Dear A.A, In general `proper' Feng Shui is about improving one's Earth Luck. An understanding of one's Pillars and making full use of one's element and strength i.e. to map one's Heaven Luck and then try to `change' things is another luck. It is said that improving one's Heaven and Earth luck would indeed help a person. Please see below: Proper use of the above, can indeed help to improve one's luck and chances. It is good that you also have an initial `impression' on the apartment. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, You will be `surprised' to learn that there are lots of books on Chinese culture. Especially before the communists take over but unfortunately, many are in Mandarin. This is why, they are hard to find. If one were to walk into a Chinese book shop, there are lots of titles and topics (Mandarin books). In Singapore, there are several good Chinese book stores devoted to selling Mandarin books on a wide range of topics. Many Chinese classics such as the Four Scholars etc... have been interpreted in English .... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, No, this is not true. China, does have its own commercial airlines. Like in the US, there are domestic, regional and international airlines. A few Chinese commercial airlines have offices in Singapore. In the past, it is quite `scary' to take their domestic flights because of the poor reputation of maintenance. Especially the poor safety. But things have improved today. For international flights, these are generaly safe as they conform to the International safety standards. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Colleen, 1. The best way to enhance a house is not to `pay homage' to a few corners of a house. 2. Like an animal or a human being, it is never wise to `corner' someone at a corner. The human or animal becomes extremely threaten and can become `dangerous' or very dangerous. I mentioned this to illustrate how bad `CORNERS' can affect our lives. This is just an illustration. 3. In fact, if one wants to look at `corners' it is more fruitful to just simply look at it from Shapes and Form Feng Shui. Here, look out for `threats' to the main entrance door or windows. Check to see if the house and interior such as position of beds etc.. conform to good Shapes and Form. 4. The above is usually `good enough' for a home analysis. 5. If one truly wants to use proper Feng Shui to look at corners or sectors, then apply Flying Star. Analsyse each corner or sector for imbalances. If there are imbalances then neutralise or cure it. The above would be a more sensible approach to use traditional Feng Shui. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Greg, Certainly glad to hear from you again. 1. My advise is to `stick' to three most popular Feng Shui methods: 1.1 Shapes and Form If there is one theory which should be given priority, this is it. In my opinon, if one wants to do minimal Feng Shui and yet yield a quantum leap in `luck' this is the most important single Feng Shui theory to use. 1.2 Flying Star If we are talking about a Feng Shui practitioner and their audits, some FS practitioners with a feel for the `land' can do without this theory. But for those, who do not have a `feel' of Shapes and Form can use this to analyse a building or houses. As the calculations are "visible" to them. 1.3 Eight House One can either use this to look at how suitable a house is to them (based on their Year of birth). A better subsitute is to use their Pillars of Destiny element and strength. For example, if they are a weak water person, a house with the main door facing North is acceptable. As a North facing house represents the water element. Or a metal house e.g. West facing is good for them. As Metal helps water grow. 2 The use of bagua in the home is the near equivalent of kindergarten Feng Shui. 3 If the book merely say to use a bagua, this can be quite shallow analysis. We should then question: Why use a bagua? At which location? for what purpose? If, the above is not answered satisfactory, then those who wrote it, in my opinion should be equally `hazzy' or `blur' in how it should be applied. 4 The Grand Duke: Usually, this is applied during renovations to a home. Or roadworks diagonal to the Grand Duke. If you are not doing renovations or there are no diggings around the home, then, in general `ignore it'. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear LM, For the garage, at the moment, I feel that it is not necessary to use the Bagua mirror. You mentioned that there are the corner of the house two doors pointing at your SE sector. What is this sector is it a door or a window? For the imbalances, at SW and SE, it would be best to neutralise this sector. The most simplest is to paste a red packet (or use red item within the house to neutralise them. As I do not have the full facts, it is just a general advise. Perhaps, you can further elaborate on each sector's imbalances in detail. And the cure advised. If possible, also this year's FS advise. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Feng Shui practitioners can be divided into several categories or specialties. 2. Nowadays, it is not often one can find a Feng Shui Master or Grand master `tasked' to look at large sites. 3. In older times, there are few Feng Shui Masters especially Imperial FS Masters tasked at looking into huge sites for cities etc... Some of them are even geologists etc... They are schooled at determing sites. 4. Nowadays, this form of Feng Shui is `rare' and without practise, it is in my opinion a dying art. We seldom if ever hear of new cities being built thus many FS practitioners especially the better ones are not planning for smaller projects. These smaller projects are mini-cities or skyscrapers. As more people, are keen to look at their homes, the focus or `specialty' for most FS practitioners are more in this area. 5. Hong Kong FS practitioners because of the small island and mostly sky scrapers, are more specialised on FS of such buildings and flats, offices. While Taiwan FS practitioners have more speciality in `landed' property. But again this depends on where they stay. If they stay in cities, then they would be more inclined or `specialised' in FS of high rise buildings. It is the frequency of doing FS audits, that provides `experience' to FS practitioners. Without the opportunity to do FS projects of large cities since most are already established today, this is indeed a dying or a `dead' art. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ching Hsia, 1. To be frank, it is always easier to consult a reliable Feng Shui practitioner to do all the legwork for you. 2. But of course, you can do it on your own but would have to consider all the bits and pieces and like a zig saw puzzle piece them together. There are occassionally, the OOps! I think I have made a `mistake' in one or the other. Mistake may happen such as not considering a fundamental situation and the Oops turn up. For example, the house looks perfect but suddenly, without realising `oops' I forgot to check that the toilet is at the centre. Something like this. Please see below:- Each house has its own birth chart and a 3 year old house or older could even have a better Feng Shui then even a new one. Here, mostly the Flying Star chart is used to determine the house. And Shapes and Form is equally important too. As each house is not the same, each house has to be analysed on its own merits i.e. giving a full audit. The reason why South (was) or is considered good e.g. for houses in China e.g. in Beijing is because it is not ideal for houses to have doors or windows facing north because of the cold winds, yellow dusts. But if you are not in China, it does not mean that a house facing south is the best. It depends. In Feng Shui, it is good to look at a house in relation to the three main theories: 1. Shapes and Form - A good shapes and form will bring a quantum leap in `luck' of the home. 2. Flying Star - to determine the birth chart of the house 3. How suitable are you to the house. For example, for the breadwinner, where best, try to avoid death or disaster sector at the main entrance door and bedroom i.e. locations where you spent most of the time such as bedroom. I am not sure where to begin as this is usually based on Shapes and Form and one must be onsite to look at the plot of land. Even if the plot of land is found auspicious today, in a few years time, the Feng Shui can change because of developments next to the plot. There is no fixed formula to looking at a piece of land. No amount of words can be put across here. Again, one must look at the house in its entirety. Here, the fundamentals must be correct e.g. a good layout plan without missing corners etc... This is not the most important factor in Feng Shui. One should instead pay attention to more important priorities based on the several schools of Feng Shui I mentioned for the entire house i.e. Shapes and Form, Flying Star... Where possible, the bedroom should not be above the garage. And if it can, be, occupy one side (or at the side of the house). In past messages, I have drawn a few layout plans of staircases: 1. Where possible, it should not be immediately visible from the main door 2. It should not be a spiral staircase. 3. It can be on the side of a wall and it should have a landing or a turning and not be a one long stair case. A good house does not appear overnight. Some consult FS practitioners and work with them to create a good house. Most houses are `average' houses (some not so perfect) but can be `fine tuned' further based on FS guidelines. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. It is very often to hear the phonetic sound of a word and relate it with being auspicious or inauspicious. It implies: "Hey, you want me to go `quickly' to my death is it?" Unfortunately, the pear in Mandarin is called `li' which can mean separation. 2. Thus it is inauspicious or considered inauspicious for married couples to cut pear in halves. Which symbolically implies separation. 3. There is some truth in what you have mentioned. 4. The Chinese dread the `7th month'. This is the month where it is said that ghosts are let free to roam on earth. It is far worse to give pears on the 15th day of the 7th month as it is said to bring more sadness to loved ones who had lost a close relative... much sorrow... 5. As mentioned above, `li' implies separation and some Chinese consider it very inauspicious to give pears to sick or the ailing as it symbolises `li' or separation. Here, separation can mean death. Thus what you have said has some `truth' in the belief of some Chinese who dread the word `li'. Hope that helps. Warmest Regards, Cecil