Monday, July 18, 2011

Fu Dogs or Temple Lions, that is the question.

 
Names are plentiful for this popular feng shui symbol.  Which ever one you choose to use, it will not be wrong. Contemporary beliefs seemingly push the use of Fu Dogs, probably because of the resemblance to the small dog with a lion like mane. Ancient beliefs generally favor the use of the Guardian  Lion or Temple Lion. I am happy with Fu Dogs and that is what I call the pair at my front door.

Generally, Fu Dogs find their existence to be dated to the early Chinese period of (206 BC) throughout the Han Dynasty then gradually disappearing until the time of the Tang Dynasty in (618—900 AD). During these early days, a “Dog of Happiness” or Celestial Lion Dog could be found guarding the entrances of the Buddhist temples or the homes of affluent Chinese families. The relative expense of creating a pair of these symbols of protection prohibited their use by the masses of the time. Today however, they are readily available and have gained huge popularity allowing even owners of small homes to have their entrances guarded.

The Celestial Lion Dog name probably gained favor due to the combined mixed appearance of both a lion and a Chinese favorite, the dog breed known as the shitz zu. Even though lions are not native to China, art containing their image surfaced after lions were imported as gifts to the emperor. The Lion Dog, believed to be a companion of Budda, was also believed to possess the ability to chase away evil spirits as they stood guard over his temples and over tombs.

Fu Dogs are always used together in pairs in order to maintain balance in the environment. Proper placement is vital because if they are misrepresented, you stand the chance of inviting bad luck rather than their powerful protection. As you stand inside your home or business looking out, place the female outside the entrance to your right; place the male outside to your left.

The male has his foot placed on a sphere, some say it is a ball, some say it represents the world.  Neither is wrong. Its placement, however, on the sphere, symbolizes the Fu Dogs authority and power over evil spirits. The female cuddles a cub as she exhibits strong maternal instincts.  It is her job to protect the interior of the home or building while the male guards the structure itself. The male stands taller than the female and he represents yang energy with his mouth open, she possesses yin energy with her mouth closed. Together, with their tilted heads, they imply that they are keeping a sharp eye out for evil spirits while denying them entry into your home or business. If danger threatens, you can count upon this pair of protectors to ward it away by using their menacing looks and displaying the impression of powerful aggression.

May your good fortune be plentiful.  Peace.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

For the Birds

A few mornings back, while having my morning coffee on the patio, I couldn’t help smiling to the trill of the songbirds that have returned for the summer. It was like music to my ears. Did you know that in feng shui, birds are a symbol of wealth and harmony?  They are considered powerful symbols of all the new opportunities available to you.

Have you ever held a handful of those round white seeds that are often mixed with crunchy sunflower seeds? You can find them available in most home stores. When they are flung upwards, to  fall back to the earth, you’ve not only called our fine-feathered friends to dinner, it’s as if you’ve called a shower of blessings from above to your home and to yourself. As the seeds bring the birds to your home, the birds call good luck chi to your home in much the same way. To share abundance is to call abundance. It’s a good thing to remember when you put a feeder out for our bird friends.

Do you need good chi or auspicious luck in a matter? The placement of a feeder outside or an art display inside your home can be advantageous simply by placing the item in the proper baqua area.  Let’s say you are searching for a job, a feeder on the northern side of your home is most beneficial. Using a beautiful picture of birds, whether it is of peacocks or the illustrious phoenix, placing it along the northern wall on the inside your home can help accomplish the same thing. This is the career area, as you recall, and to stimulate the chi here is quite useful. You have invited fine-feathered luck to visit you. The next phone call you receive just may be the new job opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

The wealth corner, resting in the upper back left, can be inspired to call forth financial abundance by the placement of art objects representative of birds. A lovely music box decorated with birds and playing beautiful musical notes is doubly favorable. Another pleasing picture? That’s fine as well, just be sure to choose an item that will fill you with the same happiness that you are searching for.

Colors in shades of yellow, white, silver, pinks, oranges or magenta, displayed in your bird art, encourages chi to pass through. It will bring auspicious luck with it as it draws good favor from these auspicious colors.

Remember, when you use good feng shui in the placement of your birds, it becomes a most positive way to feather your nest!

Good luck should come flying your way.

Peace.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

How'd You Sleep Last Night?

Some nights are better than others, but we all know when we've had a good night's sleep. Seven to eight hours of quality rest will raise your energy level and start you on your way towards a great day. If you've been tossing and turning, there's a very simple feng shui tip that can help to stack the deck in your favor.

The Chinese believe that numbers have the ability to change their lives. Using your personal kua number, find one of the numerous charts available in books or on the internet,  use the column affecting your health, and begin sleeping with your crown facing, as close as possible, to your most auspicious direction. I have a kua number of 2. Knowing that I had been sleeping with the crown of my head in a westerly direction, I knew a change was necessary. Find your most auspicious direction for health on one of these charts and begin using your most auspicious direction. You'll be pleased with the difference.

I've known this for years, but somehow had neglected to incorporate it into my new landscape when I moved in.  After a particularly fitful night's sleep, it occurred to me that I had been sleeping with my head in the most inauspicious direction available to me.  Unable to rearrange the furniture in my bedroom, I simply decided to try sleeping with my head at the bottom of the bed. With my head in the west for good health, I found upon waking the following morning, I had slept better than I had in months. The beds still made up in the normal manner, but at night, my pillows and me convene to the other end.
You may be able to do a little room rearranging that I couldn't, and place the bed in the proper direction, either way, you'll find a pleasant night's sleep is headed your way.

Find your best direction, using your kua number, for any situation you may need help correcting concerning wealth, health, love, or personal growth and get the numbers going in your best direction.

Peace