Orchids and Feng Shui

[catttan]

Thanks for reading the post on phals and feng shui.

At the risk of being labelled tedious here is a bit more on the same subject.

I am posting 2 pics on the symbols for Fu, Lu, and Shou. This Chinese ceramic figurines ( Fu on the left; Lu in the middle; and Shou; are usually placed on a high position in the living or dining rooms.

Fu represents wealth and good fortune: notice the silver ingot-like money he's carrying in his hand.

Lu represents advancement in life and career: he's carrying either a scroll representing power and authority; or a child representing a fruitful and bountiful life.

Shou represents longevity: he's carrying a peach of immortality, a peach-wood staff and gourd container the elixir of youth. Also notice the bulging forehead representing wisdom gained through age and experience.

N.B.These figurines are symbols and are seldom if ever worshipped as gods or idols.They are simply a reminder of the hopes and aspirations that we strive for. The scroll carried by Lu represents success in the imperial exams that would elevate one to high positions of officials in government. The exams were so difficult that it took years of hard work and study to be successful and only a very small percentage of candidates passed these exams.

Something was lost in translation from Chinese into English resulting in these figurines being referred to as 'gods' or 'idols'. More correctly they should be referred to as the Three Star Symbols as each represents a star in the constellation that governs our destiny.

* I have also included 2 pics to show how far Hong Kong people will go to ensure good feng shui. The first is self explanatory and the second shows the sight that will greet you when you go in.( What asight for sore eyes)!!!

[smartie2000]

Phals for feng shui is not a fad among Chinese Canadians (which where I live are mostly cantonese) and butterfly sounds like 'wu', only almost sounds like 'fu' (luck). So maybe this word play is a little twisted by the feng shui people trying to make money which then gained popularity. In anycase most flowering plants are a lucky thing, so it doesn't matter.

And surely chinese people are interested in growing orchids. It's a common sight for a good number of the crowd at orchid shows to be Chinese here. Though many of them do not join orchid societies and do not grow them like the hobbyists do. And many ask where I get my 'rare' orchid forms from

But the orange trees are popular. I have one myself.

[dawn_green]

I wonder, who is that man who hold the cam in second picture ......

[catttan]

Hehehe, that's me, Dawn Green.

[catttan]

Thanks, Rence. I watched the video on orchids.It was really interesting and I only wish I could understand Tagalog. Now which one of the chefs is you? I have only tasted orchids fried with tempura flour in Thailand and, of course, ice cream and other dishes using vanilla.

[walingwaling]

hi rence, how nice to see you in action,
thanks for the video!

[Diamond]

Hi Cattan and all, nice thread that I have missed.

Cattan, I would like to ask if you know in what section of BAGUA we should put the phals or orchids? hehe...interesting

[catttan]

Hehehe Rosalia, sorry I'm not a feng shui master. Any way I understand that the flow of chi keeps on shifting,( according to feng shui masters) depending on the time, season, planetary alignment etc. and only the feng shui masters seem to know. That's how they make a living! HAHAHAHAAAA.

As for me I can't even find the magnetic north and true north with the BAGUA!!