Feng Shui Attracts Money by: Sam Stevens The first thing that you need to do is get yourself a good compass and determine what is in the southeastern corner of your home. The Southeastern sector of your home governs both your cash flow as well as your faith in the idea that you will always be able to create money. According to the classic and traditional rules of Feng Shui (the ancient art of object placement to increase good energy in your life) the items that you place in this part of your should be things that align with the energies of personal abundance. Things that Create Prosperity: The colors purple, red and green. These three colors support prosperity energy in a space. A pleasant still life to attract this energy is a pretty glass bowl containing a purple amethyst, a red carnelian and a green piece of jade. You also might want to consider painting this corner one of these colors or using purple, red and green lighting in this corner. An easy way to enhance the color value in this corner is to purchase a lava lamp in purple, red or green. The great thing about a lava lamp is that it also moves, and in Feng Shui, anything electronic or moving helps keep the money circulating in your life. Symbols of wealth: Actual money and gold objects are good to display in this area of your house. A bowl of foreign or antique coins can also augment this sector. You can also find statues of "gold ingots" to your local China Town A wonderful statue to place in this area is of a Prosperity Buddha lifting a gold ingot over his head. You might also want to consider placing a gold or green statue of a Chinese Money Toad (this is a three legged statue of a frog or toad with a coin in it's mouth) or a statue of leaping goldfish Fake Money. This is the place to put that fake million-dollar bill you got in a novelty store in a frame and hang it. Some people even keep monopoly money in this area as a symbol of their circulating prosperity. A bowl of foreign coins can also be placed here to magnetize wealth into your life. Fountain. This is one the two best places in the entire bagua to place a flowing fountain. The other is your Career sector. Flowing water represents the flowing of money. The Chinese consider wood or bamboo fountains to be especially auspicious when placed in this area. Goldfish. This is a great area to put an aquarium. Traditionally the Chinese place eight orange or yellow gold fish and one black goldfish in an aquarium to attract money. The number 8 represents prosperity in Feng Shui. The idea too is that if misfortune hits your family, then the ninth black goldfish will die and receive the misfortune instead of you. You can also buy the traditional Chinese poster of this image in Chinese specialty shops. Eight Horses. This is an image of eight horses that can be purchased either a statue or as a poster that adds good chi to this sector. However please note the position of your front door when positioning this poster. Make sure that the direction the horses are running is INTO the house and not out the front or back doors! You can buy this statue in gold, red, green, crystal and orange. When placing it in the southwest, red, green, brass or gold are the best styles to choose. Jewels. Treasure chests or displays of real or costume jewelry can help attract the chi of abundance to your southeastern prosperity sector. Symbols of Luxury. This is the place-to-place photographs, fine art or statuary that represents the aspiration of "having it all." A toy model of a Porsche, an image of a country mansion or a photograph of a man standing at the highest mountain in the world are the kinds of images that you should consider putting in this corner. Jade Plant. The Jade plant is the ultimate symbol of prosperity for the Chinese. It's flat round leaves and compact shape makes it the Asian equivalent of a money tree. Fruit Trees. Small orange, lemon or lime trees also contain money-drawing properties and are ideal to place in this sector. Things That Put You in the Poorhouse: Clutter. The planet Venus rules prosperous energy. Venus won't enter a dirty home. Piles of junk serve as an obstacle so that positive energy cannot pool and accumulate in your space. Leaks. If you have a kitchen or a bathroom with a leaky faucet in this area than the theory is that your money will also be leaking away. Toilets. If you have a toilet in this area and there is nothing you can do about it, then make sure that you keep the lid closed at all times to keep your cash from being "flushed away." Kitty litter boxes. Animal toilets have the same negative association as toilets -- especially if they smell bad. Broken objects. The theory is that " If it's broke, you probably are too! "Remove anything that doesn't work including clocks that keep the wrong time, dead batteries and similar decrepit items from this area. Also replace any burnt out light bulbs, as it is essential that this area be well lit. Dead or withering plants: Anything obviously decomposing is antithetical to the energy of prosperity and should be removed from this area. Trash cans. Like the toilet, this item drains vital energy from the prosperity area. mages of Poverty or Want: Art that depicts objects or landscapes in a withering, rustic or decomposing state should not be displayed here. Also avoid placing photographs of yourself when you were going through a "broke phase" (such as when you were a student in college or just recently divorced) here. You might repeat the situation! = by: Jakob Jelling Feng shui has a great impact on the food we eat. Feng shui, the food we eat and ourselves are interrelated and influence each other. Chi and our life balance are highly influenced by food, starting on how it was harvested and produced, going through how we cook it and the environment and mood in which we eat it. Chi or positive energy flows in food as well as in everything else, and its quality depends a lot on the way we cook it. Actually, eating has direct relation with energy flowing, since it is the way we receive energy and it becomes part of us. Therefore, the source of that energy, which is food, should be handled very carefully. Harmony and balance is an important aspect of the relationship between food and feng shui. It is important that we eat balanced food, which consists in variety and balance of colors. Feng shui recommends that a dish should contain different colors which are in harmony with each other. You should try to use as many different colors as possible in one same dish at the same time as they should combine and look good together. You should also achieve a yin and yan balance in your food which is done through the balance of flavors. A feng shui and yin yan harmonic dish would contain strong flavors as well as delicate ones balanced through the use of different colors. There should not be one strong element predominating too much over the others. The food, the colors and the smells should all be in balance. It is also important to pay attention to the food smells as well. You should like the smell of your food and it should be appealing to you. Every sense which is part of the eating process should be paid attention to and in balance with the dish as a unity. All the process, through which food goes, from where they are originated to when we eat it, is very important and should be followed carefully. = by: Jakob Jelling If you are having problems at the time of falling asleep or you simply wish to improve your sleeping, you should follow the feng shui tips we will detail in the next lines and let this ancient Chinese wisdom help you. It is very important that we pay attention to our sleep due to the fact that it affects all the activities we do during the day as well as it has a direct impact on our health. First of all, it is very important to avoid sleeping with the head towards the door. According to feng shui, the proper position in which to have the bed and to sleep is in such a place that allows us to see the door but without being right across from it. This way, you should always avoid sleeping with your feet right in front of the entrance. It is also highly recommendable to avoid sleeping under a window. Sleeping right under a window would have a bad impact on your chi as well as it might cause you to loose some of your positive energy by dispersing it. Also, if your bed is right under the window, any bad chi which could enter into the room through it would go directly to you and therefore affect you. If you can't avoid sleeping under a window, then you should hang a curtain which doesn't allow bad chi to enter. According to feng shui guidelines, it is also recommendable to avoid having pictures of water in the bedroom. Keeping pictures of water in the bedroom can cause insomnia as well as attract bad luck to those who sleep into the room. Therefore, if you do have a picture of water in your bedroom you should remove it or at least make sure it is as far from the bed as possible. It is very important to make sure that there isn't any poisoning arrow pointing towards the bed. In order to find out if there are poisoning arrows, you should check for any edgy element or corner which might point towards the place where you sleep. If you find any and you can't get rid of it, you can neutralize its bad effect by covering it or by placing a plant in front of it. = By: Prince Oversol Martial Arts is one of the contributions of Asia to the world. Who can forget Bruce Lee and the fact that he was first and foremost a martial arts athlete before being a movie star? Even until now martial arts is still a big hit with the increasing popularity of Asian movies like crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and more recently the House of the Flying Daggers. The Chinese are the first people that come to mind when it comes to these things but the Japanese are just as athletic with a rich heritage of body contact sports that can be found in their history. The modern Japan still gives honor to these things by holding tournaments and promoting such sports abroad, One of these is Aikido. It is interesting to note that the word comes from three Japanese words from which one can derive the meaning of the one word. Ai means joining, Ki means spirit and Do means way. From this we can understand why Aikido is beyond just the physical skills of it students especially sin its proponent Ueshiba focused more on the spiritual and philosophical development of his students. In Aikido, one is not taught violence instead one is taught to be in harmony with the opponent to be able to defeat. This might seem odd but it actually works. In approaching an opponent, the aim of the Aikido practitioner is to be one with the opponent to be able to attack him where he is weakest and in doing so diver or immobilize him but never to kill. This is where Aikido becomes an art. Art is something beautiful to watch and something positive and Aikido is all that. At least one of the people involved in the fighting strives for harmony and harmony can only be achieved if there is grace in the movements. The moves maybe calculated but there is an air of finesse in doing these movements, not a womanly finesse but just a finesse that emanates peace. The art of peace as what they call in Aikido is one of the most positive influences of Aikido to its students and to everyone who choose to know about this Japanese martial art. Some of the techniques in Aikido include the following. Ikkyo is the first technique. Using this technique you control an opponent by using one hand in holding the elbow and one near the wrist, this action is supposed to make you pin your opponent down in the ground. Nikyo the second technique is when you do an adductive wristlock that enables you to twist the arm of your opponent that will in turn cause enough nerve pressure. The third technique is Sankyo which is a pronating technique that directs upward-spiraling tension throughout the arm, elbow and shoulder. There are many other techniques but the first three should get you started. In studying Aikido, it is important to remember that along with building physical strength to be able to defeat your opponent the mental capacity should also be developed. Just like in any art, it takes a lot of practice and discipline to perfect the art of Aikido. The important thing is the one who wants to get into the art should have determination to give honor to the art by performing it in the best way possible. = Kung Fu The martial art of Kung Fu is an exchange of culture, a type of exercise, and also a way of defending yourself. The art is very popular throughout the world, also being known as Gung Fu, Wu Shu, and even Kuo Shu. It shares some common traits with Karate, such as using both hand and foot techniques. Kung Fu is one of the most popular forms of martial arts - and also one of the oldest. Within Kung Fu, there are several styles and variances, although the most popular are those that have their roots in the well known Shaolin Temple. What most people are not aware of however, is the fact that Kung Fu was practiced in China years before the first Shaolin temple was even though of. A majority of martial arts enthusiasts think of self defense as being the ultimate goal of any martial art. While self defense is involved the martial is so much more than just fighting and defense - it is a true art, one that develops the mind, body, and the soul. Kung Fu doesn't teach students to overcome others, as it teaches students to look within themselves and learn to have complete and total control over their emotions. Is is an art of harmony, that teaches to students to remain at peace and avoid confrontations. If a situation threatens bodily harm to the student, then he must rise to the occasion - becoming the warrior and defending himself. Just like other types of martial arts, Kung Fun teaches the balance that is crucial for executing techniques and the proper movement. The basic concept behind the balance is that same balance that the Chinese believe keeps the balance between heaven and earth. This concept of balance can be achieved by students if they completely focus their thoughts and empty their minds free from any type of distractions. Kung Fu is a martial art that can be learned by anyone. It does take a strong desire, just like any other martial art. It has a rich heritage, and a proud legacy. Kung Fu is indeed a deadly martial art, if used in the wrong ways. There are variations of Kung Fu as well, which include the infamous five animals - Tiger, Dragon, Eagle Claw, Crane, and the Snake. Adapted by the animals in which they are named after, the five animals style is some of the most impressive in martial arts. Tiger Claw is by far the deadliest of the five animals, teaching students to strike just like the dreaded tiger. This style teaches the student power in his hands, so that when he strikes, he tears the flesh. Tiger Claw is very deadly, although it is very hard to find instructors that teach this style now days. Unlike other martial arts, there really are no competitions for Kung Fu. Stylists can compete it other competitions, although there really are not any that are for only Kung Fu. It is an ancient martial art, that is to be used only in instances were there is no other option than to fight back. When provoked, the stylist should try everything he or she can to avoid confrontations. Kung Fu aims to teach the lessons of respect, fairness to others, harmony of the spirit, and total self control no matter what. These characteristics, when paired together, allow students to achieve success in a hard to deal with society. Kung Fu is all about developing the students overall well being - and following the straight path to mental and physical toughness. = China is the place of origin of the earliest form of martial arts that began 2500 years ago. Martial arts, as the greatest enhancer of the body represent a number of fighting systems, each system possessing a unique set of techniques that is continually perfected over the ages. However, Hollywood placed the idea of martial arts in a box and restricted it as just a cultural practice of Oriental countries, and the truth is Martial arts has been a worldwide practice for quite a long time already. The Chinese martial arts are the most advanced and the most varied. Drawing their inspiration from birds, reptiles, animals as well as their strong philosophies - Chinese martial art is unique and absolutely astounding. These martial arts have been practiced for thousands of years, and even today maintain their vigor and originality. China Martial Arts can broadly be classified into the following categories: 1. Wushu Styles: Wushu is an ancient and fluid martial art form that is based on rapid kicks and jumps. There are hundreds of styles and schools of this particular art form. However most can be grouped under five or six categories. These are: a) Northern Shaolin Temple Styles: These styles are said to have originated in the northern provinces of Cchina such as Henna. They focus on kicks, jumps and fluid movements. This is said to be because the northern population of China was taller and made full use of their longer limbs. Changquan, the sword and broadsword routines used in contemporary Wushu competitions, belong to these schools. b) Southern Shaolin Temple Styles: These originated in southern China, in the provinces south of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang). The people here were shorter and therefore the styles developed here focused mostly on the upper body strength and speed. Some Southern styles are Nanquan, Hung Gar, Wing Chun, and Choy Lay F. c) External styles: The external style is most often perceived to be synonymous with Chinese martial arts because it focuses on physical strength, agility, stamina and explosive movements. External style training concentrates on muscular power, speed and application. These styles generally integrate their qigong aspects during advanced training levels after the desired physical hardiness has been reached. External styles include most types of Wushu, except Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and Liu He Ba Fa. d) Internal or soft styles: Soft style focuses on building power by focusing on internal elements such as the spirit, energy flow and by using relaxed leverage rather than brute force. Theorists say that the internal and the external styles differ in their focus on the philosophy of martial arts. The internal stylists are seen as philosopher-fighters, spending more time on developing the soul. The External schools are the ones that focus more on the hard aspect of developing physical prowess. However Internal schools do focus on physical training. The movements and postures are slow as opposed to fast and explosive. The idea is to involve the entire body in every motion, stay relaxed, with deep, controlled breathing and coordinate the motions of the body to the breathing. All this should be done, while maintaining perfect balance. Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan, Liuhexinyiquan, Liu He Ba Fa and Yiquan are all internal styles. 2. Buddhist styles: Buddhist styles were created mostly within Buddhist temples by Buddhist monks and later spread to laymen. These styles include Buddhist philosophy, imagery, numbers, and principles. The most famous are Shaolinquan, Luohanquan, Hung Gar, Wing Chun and White Crane. 3. Daoist styles: Daoist styles were developed within Daoist Temples by Daoist ascetics and include Daoist principles, philosophy, and imagery. 4. Muslim styles: Muslim styles were practiced by the Muslim Hui minority in China. These styles have Muslim principles or imagery and include Chaquan, Xinyiliuhequan, and Qishiquan. Drawing on physical skills bring about discipline and well-being = After hundreds of movies, thousands of eye-popping fight scenes and millions of punches thrown...which ones are the best? Which ones have I been missing out on my whole life? Which ones must I have in my collection in order to not bring shame upon my family name? We've scoured the internet. Reviews. Forums. Amazon. Postings. Bulletins. And this list is what we've come up with as the greatest Kung-Fu movies of all time and why you should watch each one. Pay attention to movies involving Yuen Wo-Ping as either director or action director, there's a reason why half this list is movies where he was involved! #1 - Way of the Dragon (1979) This is the only finished film to be written and directed by Bruce Lee. (Game of Death is the other one but is unfinished) We could write a lot about the plot, characters or fight scenes...but all you really care about is watching Bruce Lee fight Chuck Norris in the final battle. Martial Artists: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris Director: Bruce Lee #2 - Shaolin Temple (1982) Depicts the amazing history of the Shaolin Temple, the focal point for Chinese Martial Arts. Think of the Shaolin Monks as Jedi Knights (an elite group of fighters) and the rest of China as the messed-up universe that Star Wars takes place in (people who are afraid of the elite fighters and want to take them out of power). Much work to do, you have, young Jet Li. *picture Yoda's accent on that one* Define Irony: A movie shot at the site of the Shaolin Temple, telling a story about the fall of the Shaolin Temple, sparks so much public interest that the temple was re-opened shortly after the movie released. Martial Artist: Jet Li (His debut movie) Director: Chang Hsin-Yen #3 - Ong Bak (2003) Raw action without wires, Tony Jaa brings a new martial arts style to the big screen and does so in style. Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is stronger and more direct than the Chinese styles you're used to seeing with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, giving a new look to how a martial arts movie can be done. You'll be seeing more of him...guaranteed. Martial Artist: Tony Jaa Director: Prachya Pinkaew #4 - Iron Monkey (1993) Doctor by day, thief by night...Iron Monkey is your classic Robin-hood meets Kung Fu. It's an action packed flick that can't go 5 minutes without an excellent fight scene. It all comes down to a battle between Iron Monkey (ie Robin Hood) and an ex Shaolin Monk (remember, these guys are like the Jedi Knights of Chinese martial arts...they're elite). Remember that guy Yuen Wo-Ping I mentioned? Well he's the director in this one, so you know it's good! Martial Artists: Yu Rong-Guang, Donnie Yen Director: Yuen Wo-Ping Action Directors: Yuen Cheung-yan, Yuen Shun-yi #5 - 5 Deadly Venoms (1978) No room form "martial arts beauties" in this one, there's so much blood and action that they only cast male actors. Exit the traditional elaborate costumes and enter the muscular, skin-bearing, bloody martial arts style that would become a trademark for director Chang Cheh. Each cast member is trained in an art resembling one of 5 venemous creatures (Scorpion, Snake, Centipede, Gecko, Toad) with the 6th cast member being trained in all 5. Six main martial arts actors = LOTS O' ACTION Martial Artists: 6 Martial Artists (yes, 6 main characters) Director: Chang Cheh #6 - The Seven Samurai (1954) One of the greatest classic kung-fu movies of all time and arguable Kurosawa's best work. Some Samurai of the time were down on their luck (homeless) and willing to do anything for a meal. A village under attack by bandits recruits a group of seven such Samurai warriors and asks them to help defend their village. The movie is about the Samurai teaching the village how to fight and culminates in a massive battle between a village and almost 50 attacking bandits. The acting is superb, the emotions run high and Kurosawa keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Martial Artists: 7 Martial Artists (all names you won't know since this movie is so old) Director: Akira Kurosawa #7 - Legend of Drunken Master (1994) Some will say this is the greatest martial arts movie of all time because of it's balance between plot-line, comedy, drama and amazing kung fu sequences. Probably Jackie Chan's best martial arts performance. You're going to love the final scene where you learn what "Drunken Master" really means. We're talking box-splitting, fire-spitting craziness! Martial Artist: Jackie Chan Director: Lau Kar-leung #8 - Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) Based on a Pentalogy (yes, that's 5 books) written by Wang Dulu, this movie covers mostly the 4th book. Critically acclaimed to cross international borders with it's amazing character development, intricate plot, martial arts ideals, stunning special effects and quicker-than-the-eye fighting scenes, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon set a new standard for martial arts movies. Telling Zhang Ziyi (the lead female character and an amazing martial artist) to get back in the kitchen would likely cost you 50 punches to the "bags". Be ready for subtitles, 'cuz turning on the English track is like watching...uh...like watching a kung fu movie in English. Main Martial Artist: Chow Yun-fat Other Martial Artists: Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Chang Chen, Cheng Pei-pei Director: Ang Lee Action Director: Yuen Wo-Ping #9 - Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003) You're going to want your home theatre room for this one. It's tough to beat beautiful women beating the crap out of each other in fast-paced, action-packed, make you cringe, bloody, gory, cut-'em-up (more buzz words go here) movie jam packed with as much martial arts death as possible. Tarantino expertly uses every camera angle and a plethora of special effects to deliver a better-than-real visual experience that gives this blood-and-guts thriller an artistic feel you'll appreciate at the end. Did I mention is has Uma Thurman in it? ("Kill bill vol. 2" brings closure to the set, but hey...we had to choose one movie. Say "Five-Point-Palm Exploding Heart Technique" 5 times fast.) Actors: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox Director: Quentin Tarantino Action Director: Yuen Wo-ping #10 - Fist of Legend (1994) A classic story of Chinese vs. Japanese martial arts, Fist of Legend is actually a remake of the original Bruce Lee movie, Fist of Fury. If Bruce Lee is like the original James Bond, Jet Li is the Pierce Brosnan. He'll never be the original, but the modern film-making and larger budget bring the entertainment value just a hair above the original Fist of Fury. (The ghost of Bruce Lee is probably going to strike me down for writing that) The Yuen Brothers are known for amazing action choreography, and they totally deliver on this one. (Casting Jet Li may have helped them a little too.) = Shaolin kung fu is not just about defending yourself against an attacker or inflicting bodily harm. Shaolin martial arts also stress discipline, respect for yourself and others, patience, and being humble even in victory. The mental training of Shaolin martial arts helps prepare the student for any events that may come. Being physically prepared for an altercation is good, but if you are not mentally prepared you will not be focused enough to use the tools that your body has. This is why Shaolin meditation is such an important part of the Shaolin martial arts training. Meditation may not be literally practicing your physical tools, but it allows your mind to make better use of those tools. Keeping cool in a self defense situation is one of the best ways to ensure you will survive. Tough mental preparedness allows the body to be pushed beyond its physical limits. Out bodies can only do so much, but our minds allow for much greater feats. I am sure you have heard of "mind over matter" and the truth is that it works. When the Shaolin added mental training to their physical training the result was that their martial arts system obviously surpassed all others in application and practical results. One form of Shaolin meditation is called "Chan" or "Zen". The Shaolin received the concept of Zen meditation from an Indian priest named Bodhidharma. What Bodhidharma did that was so unique was to introduce breathing patterns into the meditation. You see Bodhidharma would find that the Shaolin monks were falling asleep during their meditation, so he added the breathing exercises to help keep them focus on increase their mental development. To this day Shoalin Kung Fu practitioners still use Chan meditation and it has formed the basis of the Shaolin mental preparation and development. The Shaolin monks would prepare their minds to withstand the most terrible conditions so that when faces with those conditions in the real world, they would be prepared instead of shocked. Knowing that you have the mental toughness and readiness instills a confidence that allows you to go into any situation ready to act without hesitating. Self doubt is the number one way to be defeated before the enemy has even thrown a punch. Meditation also allows one to focus his inner energy into his actions. The Japanese call this Chi, and many Westerners have heard of it. The Chinese, however, call it Kiai. Kiai allows a Kung Fu student to do things their physical body alone cannot do. Developing control over your Kiai is a matter of intense mental strength and conditioning. While some people may scoff at the idea of Kiai, and it is true that it might be more of a mind over matter application than an actual force, but Chinese Kung Fu masters has demonstrated their control over their Kiai by doing physical feats that would otherwise be impossible. = Good Fortune Symbols By: Aron Scwartz The Chinese penchant for looking at objects and interpreting their hidden meaning is revealed by the prolific use of symbols within their culture and these symbols are like a secondary language, rich in nuances and that penetrates all their communication. In Chinese, each written character represents an entire word which is in deep contrast to our alphabetical text where a sequence of individual letters signifies a word. This means that more or less every word in the Chinese language is represented by a different symbol so it is not unrealistic to consider that whenever pen is put to paper or in carvings it usually has some mysterious or obscure meaning. Chinese Symbols are generally categorized as either auspicious or inauspicious and can be viewed as conveying the unseen messages of good or bad luck. All Oriental artworks are viewed as symbols, and their characteristic themes - water, clouds, flowers, trees, animals, rocks even colors - portend not only themselves, but also something beyond themselves - there is meaning far beyond the visual experience. There is virtually nothing in all of nature or any artifact that the Oriental does not see as imbued with particular significance. I simply love the meaning of things!!! On my first journey to Singapore back in 1986 I purchased a silk painting and it's always been dear to my heart and this painting still hangs in a special place within my home. I was told that this beautiful piece of art depicts the story of the Eight Fairies or as I first came to know them - the Eight Good People of the world. Now these Fairies or immortals are on a special journey traveling the world dispensing good fortune to everyone they meet and each one of these 'good people' has a special object that they always carry with them. In Chinese culture these items still carry auspicious meanings as they have done over the ages and generally, they can be hung anywhere in the home. There is much controversy as to exactly when the eight immortals came to be however most stories and artworks can be dated back to the Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty and Han Dynasty. I have listed the items carried by the 'eight immortals' and I hope that you will be able to put at least one of them to good use for yourself in your own home or place of business. The Gourd:- This wonderful object hangs around the knob of my bedroom door as it symbolizes good health and longevity. It is one of the items carried by Li Tie-guai, one of the most recognizable of the eight immortals as he is lame. Legend has it that he would frequently leave his body to wander the land and heavens. On one particular day whilst his spirit was wandering around the mountains his body was found lifeless and he was subsequently pronounced dead. In keeping with the custom of the time he was cremated so, upon his souls return he could not find his own body and therefore he had no option but to take refuge in the first available body. This happened to be the body of a crippled beggar and so it was that Li Tie-guai continued his existence supporting himself on a crutch or staff and is therefore always depicted as a lame beggar. The gourd is said to contain the holy nectar of the Gods, therefore, it is a popular accessory of many Buddhist Deities. Shao, the God of Longevity carries a staff with the gourd containing the elixir of immortality on the end of it. In art a gourd decorated with arabesques and roses signifies the wish that 'spring may last for ten thousand generations'. In other words - this is a wish that your family lasts forever. The Fan: - Fans first appeared in China during the 10th Century AD and these beautifully painted fans have been a specialty of the great Chinese artist ever since. One of the eight immortals, Zhong Li Quan, who is said to have lived during the Chou Dynasty around 112-249BC, is the chubby chief of the immortals and recognizable by the Fan which he uses to revive the dead. Many other Gods also use the fan to drive away evil and as a result, from a Feng Shui perspective it has been said that fans have the power to deflect negative 'chi' or energy that has been directed your way by a hostile source. Lotus: As the symbol of purity modesty and love, the lotus enjoys a unique importance in Chinese folklore and it seems that this is largely due to the influence of Buddhism. The lotus comes out of the morass and yet is not itself tainted. It is inwardly empty, outwardly upright. It has no branches and smells sweet. There are two Chinese words for lotus: lian and he. Lian is to love, bind, connect uninterrupted as in marriage and also means modesty. A lotus bloom with a leaf and a bud means 'complete union' whilst a boy with a carp beside a lotus means abundance year in year out. He Xian-gu was the immortal carrying the lotus and was brought into the group by Lu Dong Bin after he rescued her from a demon by using his magic sword. Castanets: - Cao Guo-jiu is the finest dressed of all the immortals. He is always depicted in court dress and is often seen holding an official sceptre or castanets. So, for those budding thespians ensure you have this deity around you to help you on your way. Flute: - A patron saint of musicians, this happy immortal is always depicted carrying or playing the flute. It is said that Han Xiang-Zi could make flowers bloom at will and soothe wild animals with his music. He is said to be the great nephew of the statesman and philosopher Han Yu who lived AD 768 - 824. There are many types of Chinese flutes, however; the vertical flute which has only five holes in the upper part and one in the lower section with only one end open is played mainly by women. In Feng Shui a pair of flutes are often used to divert the negative flow of energy. Sword: - A demon slaying sword is the attribute of Lu Dong-bin (born around AD 755) another of the eight immortals. There are many legends regarding swords and their magical properties. In fact, it is said that an ordinary sword can be turned into one that will repel demons by going through a special ritual and then reforged. In Feng Shui terms there is the sword of coins. Coins are usually associated with prosperity; however, they were also used as protective charms. So it came to be that a cluster of coins were strung with red cording in the shape of swords. These were then worn around the neck to ward off 'sha chi' directed your way by a hostile source. Bamboo cane: Zhang Guo-lao is the immortal that is always shown carrying a long bamboo cane, the so called 'Fish Drum'. Inside the cane are two rods fitted with hooks, and the whole piece can be used as a means of making various sounds and music. Legend has it that he flourished around the late 7th and early 8th centuries and is always accompanied by a donkey on whose back he would sit backwards and could cover a thousand miles a day. Basket of flowers: Lan Cai-he is one of the eight immortals and is represented by a basket of fruit or flowers. A decorated basket of flowers represent riches and therefore the motif is a popular one used during the New Year period. = By: Cecilia Ko Do you believe that the characteristics of the animal in the year that your baby was born can influence your baby's character? I did not believe this until I started my childcare centre and with each batch of babies I learnt that they do have some common characteristics of their animal signs therefore I had to tailor my care to meet their needs in the area of their learning and activities. For example monkey children cannot sit still too long so we had learning activities using a lot of movement like dancing and hide and seek. Dragon babies are more 'intellectual' and able to sit still so they benefit from use of flash cards. Knowing your baby's inborn characteristics will make it easier for you to understand your baby and his needs so that you are able to provide the support and care that is appropriate. Below is a quick and simplified reference guide for you but please remember that it is not the only aspect of influence. Pig babies are joyful children who love to giggle and play. They are easy going, helpful, courteous and kind. They love anything that appeals to the senses such as music, good food and so on. They love to play with other children and usually have many friends. They have confidence in themselves and in others but are often naïve and too trusting which makes it easy to con them. Rat babies love to be cuddled and tend to depend a lot on their parents when young, but as they grow they develop natural leadership qualities which a trait from being first in the Chinese horoscope. As toddlers they start to exhibit very active mental abilities and are eager to learn. They love to collect things and will fill their bedrooms with pebbles, bits of paper and anything they fancy. Generally, young rats are smart little people with artistic and literary skills as well as excel in sports. Ox babies are shy, quiet and amenable. They are independent, resourceful children and are happiest when left to entertain themselves. If interrupted or forced to do something against their will, they will likely pout or show their temper. They are creative children who love subjects with constructive appeal, art and music. They are usually polite, respectful and hardworking children. Tiger babies are cheerful children with a zest and passion for life that ignites their curious nature. They enjoy the competitiveness and athleticism that sports require. From an early age, tiger children cannot pass on a dare or a challenge. Intelligent and friendly, tiger children carry a curiosity about life and their environment. In class, they tend to enjoy and do better at subjects that give them the ability and creative freedom to express themselves. Rabbit babies are very sensitive and tend to let their emotions get the better of them. They cry easily and often become branded as cry babies by their friends. They are very attached to their mothers and will maintain a close relationship with them throughout their lives. These children need stability, routine and a schedule in order to do their best. They are interested in the arts especially music but will enjoy sports as well. Dragon babies have vivid personalities and are independent from birth. They are noisy and active with very imaginative and inquisitive natures. This could cause them to be seen as naughty or trouble makers especially in school from the teachers' views. On the other hand some dragon children are loners who daydream and drift into their own world of make-believe. Either way, they need careful attention and special handling to bring out the best in them. Their creativity and talents must be encouraged. Snake babies are often loners who enjoy playing quietly by themselves in their bedrooms or yards. They tend to pout and hold grudges when upset, embarrassed or angry and may lash out at the person who caused this emotional upset. They often have learning disabilities therefore they need patience and extra time in order to keep up to date with lessons taught in school. Horse babies are chatty! At an early age they begin gurgling and "talking" to themselves. They love to hear their own voice and so will babble for hours without saying anything at all. Eventually, these children will make great language scholars who will excel at communications. Horse children are independent and will fight for their rights if they feel they've been wronged. They will also rebel if they feel justice has not been served. Sheep or goat babies are very sensitive. They cry at the drop of a hat, especially if their feelings are hurt or they are embarrassed. Often they will cry to get what they want. They are very affectionate and dependent on their parents. They do not exhibit a great deal of self-confidence so parents and teachers need to constantly encourage them to bring out their artistic natures. They are generally well-behaved, well-mannered children, who despise aggression and conflict. Monkey babies are full of life and cannot stay still for long. They are vivacious, colourful children curious about everything in life. Although they are sharp and intellectual, their lack of concentration and playful antics in school may land them in trouble with their superiors. Rooster babies are bright intelligent children and like to learn new things. They are creative and alert. They play and interact easily with other children and are always eager to please their elders. However, they are not the best scholars but will excel in subjects where interaction and social skills are required. Dog babies are creative and able to entertain themselves for hours. They do not mind playing by themselves, often inventing games and puzzles while doing so. They are responsible children who love to take on and complete as many tasks as possible which gives them a sense of achievement. In case you are planning to have more babies the above chart might help you decide which animal baby you want. Don't forget that there are other aspects to consider such as compatibility with your own animal sign. = By: Henry Fong There is a belief amongst the Chinese community that those who are born four years apart are more compatible than those who are born six year apart. And those that are born 6 years apart are likely to be less compatible. Do you know why? In the 12 Animals Chinese Zodiac system of astrology, our character is influenced by our year of birth. For example those born in the year of the rat are intelligent and suspicious while those born in the year of the horse are generous and loves freedom. Based on our year of birth we are imbued with certain characteristics that make us more of less compatible with each other. According to the ancient Chinese, the Monkey, Rat and Dragon form a compatible set. They have characteristics that make them more compatible with each other. The other compatible sets are the Snake, Rooster and Ox; the Pig, Rabbitand Goat and the Tiger, Horse and Dog. If you check the year of birth you notice that they are four years apart. For example those born in 1964 are Rats, 1968 are Dragons and 1972 are Monkeys! The Rat on the other hand is supposedly less compatible than the Horse. They form an incompatible set. The other incompatible sets are between Ox and Goat, Tiger and Monkey, Rabbit and Rooster, Dragon and Dog and between the Snake and Pig. If you check the year of birth you will notice that they are six year apart! The Chinese Astrology compatibility tools that you find on the Internet are largely based on the above mentioned principles of combination and clash. Most will also include more combinations and clashes that I have not mentioned above but I hope you get the idea. What if you and your spouse form an incompatible set? Do not panic. Did you notice that I used the word ‘supposedly’ many times? In practice our character is also heavily influenced by the month, day and hour of birth which is not taken into consideration in the above examples. Therefore it is entirely possible for a Rat person to display characteristics of other animals (influences from the month, day and hour of birth)! In my practice, I have seen many supposedly incompatible sets of husbands and wives. They are still together after many years of marriage and some of them quite happily! Perhaps love plays a part too. = Chinese Culture/Chinese Zodiac and Signs Chinese Zodiac Background and Concept The Chinese animal signs (Chinese Zodiac) are a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. They represent a cyclical concept of time, rather than the Western linear concept of time. The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, and is constructed in a different fashion than the Western solar calendar. In the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the year falls somewhere between late January and early February. The Chinese have adopted the Western calendar since 1911, but the lunar calendar is still used for festive occasions such as the Chinese New Year. Many Chinese calendars will print both the solar dates and the Chinese lunar dates. Chinese Zodiac Sign Background In the United States, the years are dated from the birth of Jesus Christ, for example, 1977 means 1,977 years after the birth of Christ. This represents a linear perception of time, with time proceeding in a straight line from the past to the present and the future. In traditional China, dating methods were cyclical, cyclical meaning something that is repeated time after time according to a pattern. A popular folk method which reflected this cyclical method of recording years are the Twelve Animal Signs. Every year is assigned an animal name or "sign" according to a repeating cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. Therefore, every twelve years the same animal name or "sign" would reappear. A cultural sidelight of the animal signs in Chinese folklore is that horoscopes have developed around the animal signs, much like monthly horoscopes in the West have been developed for the different moon signs, Pisces, Aries, etc. For example, a Chinese horoscope may predict that a person born in the Year of the Horse would be, "cheerful, popular, and loves to compliment others". These horoscopes are amusing, but not regarded seriously by the Chinese people. The animal signs also serve a useful social function for finding out people’s ages. Instead of asking directly how old a person is, people often ask what is his or her animal sign. This would place that person’s age within a cycle of 12 years, and with a bit of common sense, we can deduce the exact age. More often, though, people ask for animal signs not to compute a person’s exact numerical age, but to simply know who is older among friends and acquaintances. Legend According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish. All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last. Chinese Zodiac Chart The rotating cycle of twelve animal signs was a folk method for naming the years in traditional China. The animal signs for one another in an established order, and are repeated every twelve years. 1976 was the year of the Dragon, and 1977 was the year of the Snake. 2005 is the year of the Rooster. Rat - Born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Rat was the first animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle. It is usually considered aggressive, ambitious, suspicious, power-hungry, honest, generous, quick to anger and prone to spend freely. Those born under the sign of Rat are imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the one they love. However, they have a tendency to be hot-tempered and overly critical. They are usually suitable for sales work or work as a writer, critic, or publicist. Rats will get well along with Dragons and Monkeys, however should avoid Horses. Ox - Born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Ox is a symbol of powerful individuals with unyielding and stubborn personalities. Those born under the sign are natural born leaders who typically succeed when given the chance and will also make outstanding parents. They are upright, inspiring, easy-going and conservative. The Ox would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser. Ox gets along with Snakes and Roosters but not sheep. Tiger - Born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 As the fighting animal, those born under tiger's sign are sensitive, aggressive, unpredictable, charming, emotional, courageous and capable of great love. Often risking themselves, they have a carefree life. Tigers usually will be outstanding as a boss, explorer, racecar driver, or matador. A happy marriage can take place with a Horse or a Dog but never a Monkey. Rabbit - Born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Those born under this sign are affectionate, talented, obliging, always pleasant, valuing security and tranquility. They have a tendency to get too sentimental and superficial and to avoid conflict and emotional involvement. Being cautious and conservative, they usually take no risk and are successful in business. They would also make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor. Their best life partners are Sheep or Pigs instead of Roosters. Dragon - Born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Those born under the sign are considered intelligent, gifted, bossy, loud, garish, and unfaithful, but also popular and successful, full of vitality and enthusiasm. They usually look stubborn on the outside, but softhearted inside. They are born to be an artist, priest, politician, or leader. A dragon will be compatible with a Snake or Rooster. However, a sheep will not be a good choice. Snake - Born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Those born under this sign are usually considered clever, passionate, determined, romantic, intense, rich in wisdom and charm, but vain. Women born under Snake are often beautiful. Snakes will be strongly guided by their intuition. They certainly will win a lot of money, but have to avoid procrastination and stingy attitude towards money. The Snake would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, or fortune teller. Marriage with a Rooster or Ox not a Pig will be best. Horse - Born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 They are hardworking, intelligent and friendly, cheerful and popular, but impatient. Usually they consider themselves superior to others. They have a strong streak of selfishness and sharp cunning and should guard against being egotistical. Adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician will be suitable occupations for them. Horses get well along with Tigers and Dogs instead of Rats. Sheep - Born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 The sign suggests a person who is creative, artistic, passionate, elegant, warmhearted, honest, charming but pessimistic, timid, disorganized and vulnerable. Too dependent on material comforts, they are easy to complain and do not respond well to pressure, but will find their own natural solution to a problem when given space. Best occupation for a Sheep is an actor or a gardener. They are compatible with Rabbits or Pigs in marriage, but not Ox. Monkey - Born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Monkeys are intelligent, inventive, clever, entertaining but also dangerous and easily discouraged. Because of their extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, they are always well liked and make close friends. However, they can't be trusted. They should guard against being an opportunist and distrusting other people. The sign suggests success in any field they try. The best matches are Dragons or Rats while the worst are Tigers. Rooster - Born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Roosters are courageous, hardworking, shrewd, arrogant, reckless, selfish and eccentric. They are thirsty for knowledge, devoted to work and definite involved in decision-making. They are skilled at what they do and attentive to details. However, they tend to seem boastful to others. Roosters will be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier or world traveler. The sign promises harmony with Snakes and Ox and trouble with Rabbits. Dog - Born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 Those born under this sign are honest, quiet, intelligent, generous, stubborn, loyal and faithful to those they love. They are introverted listeners, dedicated but also cynical and prone to letting their external anxieties get the better of them. Constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a faultfinder will always plague them. However, they are born to be successful. Dogs will be excellent businessmen, activists, teachers, or secret agents. Tigers and Horses are deemed as best matches, and Dragons need to be handled with care. Pig - Born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 Pigs are honest, reliable, sincere, tolerant, shy, affectionate, kind, impulsive and short tempered. They are splendid companions, intellectuals with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. In addition they are extraordinarily naive. Their unquenchable thirst for knowledge will facilitate their success whereas their quest for material comfort will frustrate it. Pigs also will sacrifice their lives for good causes. The Pig will be successful in financial affairs, or as an entertainer, or possibly a lawyer. Pigs should be aware of other Pigs and compatible with Sheep and Rabbits. = By: Gail Leino Individuals born under the Pig Chinese Zodiac, also called the Boar Chinese Zodiac, are often seen as being honest, warm-hearted and even somewhat simpleminded. They are lenient, generous, and have a huge amount of patience which makes them perfect for tasks that require teaching. People born under the Pig Chinese Zodiac are opinionated but they often keep those opinions to themselves. Instead, they trudge forward getting the job at hand completed in the same level of perfection that they expect from those around them. They are faithful to spouses and friends and tolerate no level of backstabbing from others around them. They are peacemakers. They are competent and diligent employees, excellent hosts, and amazing friends to those that are fortunate enough to be considered a true friend. Individuals born under the sign of the Pig Chinese Zodiac are near-sighted, and generally don’t dwell on long-term planning. Instead, they look only at the present. They are overcautious and indecisive in financial decisions that require a look at the future, and as such, are not great in occupations that may include financial planning or real estate speculation. Pig Chinese Zodiac individuals will achieve their levels of success by working hard, they will not see a need to lie, cheat, or steal to get what they feel they need. The Pig Chinese Zodiac is a peaceful and sensible individual who has a strong level of devotion to both work and family. The individual born under the Pig Chinese Zodiac will not be a good leader because he will push himself to maximize his own limits but will not be able to push others. Individuals born under the Pig Chinese Zodiac will look for ways to avoid conflict and trouble and instead will look for domestic harmony and a sense of tranquility in their life. Individuals born under the sign of the Pig Chinese Zodiac form the closest relationships with people born in the year of the Rabbit or the Goat/Sheep. There may be productive business relationships formed with individuals born in the year of the Rat, the Ox or the Dragon. The Pig Chinese Zodiac is the sign for individuals who were born in 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007. = By: Gail Leino Individuals born under the sign of the Monkey Chinese Zodiac are ambitious and capable of achieving their goals. Monkey Chinese Zodiac personalities are always striving to keep up with their neighbors and co-workers, especially when it comes to acquiring nice things. This sense of jealousy, superiority, and ego make dealing with a Monkey Chinese Zodiac personality a bit tricky for other signs. Individuals born under the Monkey Chinese Zodiac are great at planning and extremely competitive. They often put on the appearance of being shy, yet they are really very strong performers and have a good sense of humor and a fearless streak that allows them to take the risks that help them succeed in life and business. Individuals born under the Monkey tend to be the trailblazers in what they do. They are individuals who think outside the box, finding new and innovative ways to reach new business heights. Monkeys are good at sales or positions that require dealing with numbers and money. They are meticulous in record keeping and driven to do continuously better. Monkeys are energetic and generally cheerful in nature. They keep their secrets close to their chest and use their love of competition to keep themselves stimulated in their occupations. People born under the sign of the Monkey Chinese Zodiac, do best when allowed to excel in things that showcase their strategic planning or money skills. Financial planning, accounting, stock broker, or banking positions are excellent opportunities for the individual born under the sign of the Monkey Chinese Zodiac. Monkey Chinese Zodiac is most compatible with the Rat and Dragon Chinese Zodiac. Either of these signs will make strong unions either in companionship/love or in business. The Boar Chinese Zodiac is also fairly good if there are specific areas of common interest. Individuals born under the Monkey Chinese Zodiac should, however, avoid any type of long term relationship with those born under the sign of the Tiger Chinese Zodiac as there is little, if any, common areas of interest. The Monkey Chinese Zodiac is the sign for individuals who were born in 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 and 2004. = By: Gail Leino Individuals born under the Ox Chinese Zodiac are often recognized for their ability to lead. Those people who are born under the sign of the Ox are strict individuals who maintain discipline and get the job done. They will not, however, stop other people from living any way they choose to. Like the animal they are named after, individuals who are born under the sign of the Ox Chinese Zodiac may be seen as standoffish, arrogant, and even awkward. They are never tricky, not particularly quick-witted, and they do not tend to think of how their actions will affect others. Instead, they just kind of charge through life following a strong set of principles and values that include honesty and integrity. Individuals born under the Ox make excellent soldiers and construction team leaders. They are not prone to listening to excuses or accepting delays as a result of another individual’s weaknesses. This level of focus and commitment makes them excellent supervisors but makes them less than perfect in the areas of politics, foreign affairs or any type of public relation work. Those born under the Ox Chinese Zodiac do not have an easily seen sense of humor and instead must work very hard to develop a sense of humor in order to be seen as less uptight. In addition, those who are born under the sign of the Ox may consider themselves to be the moral compass for those around them. They are self-reliant and do not necessarily ask for, nor want, any help in attaining their goals. They are cautious, and take little risks in their physical world or their financial investments. Ox Chinese Zodiac individuals will get along great with roosters, rats, and snakes the best. There will be some real conflict if an individual born under the Ox tries to settle down with someone born under the Tiger Chinese Zodiac. They are absolutely the least compatible. Relationships between Ox and Sheep or Ox and Horse are only marginally better than the Ox and Tiger and should probably be avoided for the best results. The Ox is said to be the sign of those individuals born in 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985 and 1997. |
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