Friday 28 June 2013

Feng Shui Mythical Creatures - Fu Dogs

Fu Dogs

Fu Dogs, as they are commonly called in the West, are  among other things referred to as Guardian Lions and Stone Temple Dogs.  Their original purpose was to protect the homes of the Chinese Emperors, their ancestors and high-ranking officials of the Imperial Court as well as the wealthy of the country.  Their image resembles that of a stylised male lion rather than a dog and was often seen embroidered onto Chinese official garments.

In Buddhism Fu Dogs are said to be sacred and they are displayed as guardians at Buddhist temples.  

Today they are utilised extensively as protectors and are frequently seen gracing the entrances of Chinatowns worldwide, Chinese Stores, Restaurants and Hotels.  They are also displayed outside many of the historical buildings in the Far East such as the Forbidden City in Beijing and the National Palace Museum in Taipei.

So what is their significance as a symbolic enhancer in Feng Shui?

They are probably one of the most recognisable and popular enhancers in symbolic Feng Shui.

When displayed in pairs they suggest Yang and Yin, Male and Female, Heaven and Earth.  They represent the Dragon (male Fu Dog) and the Tiger (female Fu Dog.)  The male sits on the left of an entrance (looking from the inside out) with a ball or sometimes the image of a globe, beneath his right foot.  The ball is said to represent global networking and supremacy in the business world.  The female sits on the right of an entrance with a cub beneath her left foot representing nurturing and family.  They are rarely displayed alone, signifying balance and harmony as well as protection.

As protectors their image is best placed at ground level on either side of the outer door of your home or office.  Alternatively elevate them on a wall at the entrance to your property.  Their size should be in harmony with the area they are protecting.  Too big and they will overwhelm the space, too small and they become ineffective.  As well as protecting the home they can dissipate or slow down negative energy and turn it from Sha Chi into Sheng Chi before it enters the front door.

Smaller images of the Fu Dog are often placed inside the home or office.  They can sit in a window (facing out) to serve the same purpose as those displayed outside the home.  If you live in an apartment they can be displayed in a window or at the entrance to your apartment.  This can be particularly effective if your apartment door faces a window, a staircase or a lift.  This will neutralise any negative energy before it enters your domain.  If your apartment building has long corridors displaying Fu Dogs outside will slow down Sha Chi around the entrance to your private sanctuary turning it positive and harmonious.

 To the fulfillment of your dreams        
    
LynC

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Friday 21 June 2013

Feng Shui Mythical Creatures

Dragon Horse

Numerology is one of the fundamental forces in Feng Shui.  The numbers 1 to 9 play an important role in analysing personal Feng Shui; the Feng Shui of your environment; as well as your living and working spaces.  That being said, where did the numbers, and more importantly, their position in the He Tu* and Lo-Shu Grid come from?

*He Tu (River Map) is also sometimes written as Ho Tu or Hetu.

Chinese legend recalls that at a time when much of the country was under the influence of a great flood around the area of the Yellow River (or Ho River) a creature with the body of a horse, the head of a dragon and fish-like scales emerged from the flooded river.  On its back it had curly hair that created a sequence of dots laid out in a square pattern radiating outwards from five dots in a central square.  The middle square showed dots from 1 to 4 and the outer square displayed dots 6 to 9. 

The odd numbers were white and they are yang in nature, the even numbers were black and yin in nature.  Each one of the four primary sectors of the compass have two each of these numbers - a pairing of one yang and one yin number and an association with the Five Elements.  The He Tu looks like a cross with South at the top and North at the bottom with the centre housing the number 5.

1 (Water) and 6 (Metal) are located in the North creating the element of Water
2 (Earth) and 7 (Metal) are located in the South and represent the element of Fire
3 (Wood) and 8 (Earth) are located in the East with Wood as the element
4 (Wood) and 9 (Fire) are located in the West having Metal as the element
5 (Earth) is located in the Centre

Each compass location is in harmony with the element created by the combination.

The information together with the eight trigrams was used to help create the eight sided Yin Pa Kua (Pa Kua of the Early Heaven arrangement.)  This placed the trigram Chien (Qian)-the male at the top in the South signifying Heaven and Kun-the female at the bottom in the North representing Earth.

The Dragon Horse is said to be the guardian of the Gates of Heaven.

In modern symbolic Feng Shui the Dragon Horse is also known as the Chinese Unicorn, Qi Lin, Kei Loon or Chi Lin.  It is said to be particularly loyal to its owners.  Offering protection and inviting good luck as well as good health are more of the benefits this symbolic creature will afford its owners when displayed in the home; and good fortune when displayed in the workplace.  It is associated with strength, ambition, abundance and perseverance.

It can be displayed in the home or the workplace in the location relevant to the aspiration important to you.  Displayed as a pair on either side of the main door will afford protection and avoid loss.  It should be displayed facing outward and not inward towards you.

This mythical creature has the speed and endurance of the horse and the power and protection of the dragon; two of the 12 Chinese Astrological animals.  They are located at SE1 (dragon) and S2 (horse) around the compass.  Its fish-like scales were said to represent the carp, a fish associated with wealth and abundance.

To the fulfillment of your dreams                             
LynC

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Monday 10 June 2013

Feng Shui and the Crane Bird




The Crane bird in traditional Chinese culture was often depicted on the official robes of high-ranking members of the ancient Court.  This represented nobility, rank and importance.  Images of the Crane have also been discovered in tombs of the Shang Dynasty and on ancient ceremonial bronzes.   

As well as being an important symbol of longevity, and as a bird, second only to the mythical Phoenix in the practice of Feng Shui, the elegant and leggy Crane is associated with the traditions of many ancient and modern cultures, some of which we covered in the first post.

In Chinese mythology and in Taoist traditions the red-headed Crane is represented as the bird of immortality.  When a mortal attains immortality he was said to be carried off to the heavens on the back of a Crane.  The Immortals are often displayed riding on Cranes.  This particular Crane is known as 'pinyin' or the 'fairy Crane;' the Crane of the Immortals.   In Taoist history an 'Immortal' or 'Xian' was said to have the ability to transform into a Crane to undertake a journey.

On the island of Hokkaido situated to the north of mainland Japan and the east of mainland Russia there is a resident population of red-crested Cranes.  The locals are often seen bringing fish to their permanent residents during the winter months and the Cranes will tolerate other predators stealing their food in exchange for relative safety and protection of their offspring.

The Siberian Crane, which is predominantly white with a reddish head undertakes an annual migration involving a 10,000 round trip and while they usually fly at an altitude of between three and five thousand feet they rise even higher when passing over mountain ranges on their migratory path.  This may have given rise to the mythology surrounding this bird in Taoist culture.

The red-crested Crane is one of four national animals of China along with another of the creatures synonymous with Feng Shui; the Chinese Dragon.  

As well as the red-crested Crane which is predominantly white, in Chinese mythology there is also the yellow, blue and black Crane. 

The black Crane is said to live the longest and when two Cranes are imaged together it embodies the ultimate portrayal of longevity.

Cranes symbolises happiness and smooth flight;  a smooth path through life.  When he flies among the clouds he signifies wisdom and nobility as well as longevity.  A reflection no doubt of the significance of the Immortals in flight.
As a symbol of longevity the Crane is imaged with its wings outstretched and one leg raised up.
In addition to longevity when combined with other symbolic representations the meaning takes on a different guise.
Imaged with pine trees, the Crane represents wealth, power and fortitude.
Together with the peony flower they signify prosperity as well as longevity.
With the lotus flower they become a symbol of purity and longevity.
Flying towards the sun the Crane represents a desire for social advancement and perched high up looking towards the sun, someone who can see all.
He is sometimes imaged together with the deer; another symbol of longevity and wealth.
The peach tree is said to yield fruit which, when eaten, signifies eternal life and it is often seen in traditional paintings with the Crane.
The Crane is also a symbol of cleanliness and purity which may be why traditional Japanese brides have an image of this bird displayed on their wedding kimono.
In symbolic Feng Shui the Crane continues to be popular so whether you display them in the East to represent health and longevity or the South to represent fame, recognition and opportunity, or anywhere else in your home or office they will bring a sense of freedom, beauty and, of course, longevity.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC


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