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1 Plant Symbolism According to Chinese Folklore, Notes from Professor Lin Ƒ 1 Plant Symbolism According to Chinese Folklore, Notes from Professor Lin ƒ In General: You may place any plant in any location for its beauty and practicality. Liking a plant is also an important consideration. However, if you choose a plant as a Feng Shui adjustment, carefully consider the following list of attributes. Your adjustment will be more effective as you consider the symbolic qualities of the plant you choose. FLOWERS Azalea: They are very pretty, however in Chinese folklore they are associated with blood, or an illness related to the blood. One might labor until one bleeds. They are also associated with missing home, feeling sad, and a family faced with sad memories and lots of tears. Notes: White might be a better choice for an adjustment than red. However, this plant is not usually used as a cure item. Purple and pink are OK, but again, azaleas are not usually used as cure items. Camellia: An evergreen symbolizing sturdiness, steadiness, longevity, and relaxation They also carry the symbolism of relaxation and leisure. Chrysanthemum: Elegance, longevity, graciousness, gracefulness, and gentility Notes: © KatherineWhen the frost comes, it survives. Metz It is proud. The flower is used at funerals to symbolize that the spirit of the deceased will live on forever. It is rarely used in a private home because of its frequent use in temples and its association with death. However, if used with other flowers the association with death is greatly lessened and the mixture is fine for a private home. © Katherine Metz 2 Columbine: This is the state flower of Colorado, but is not native to China. Notes: Professor Lin had the following inspiration upon looking at a picture of a field of columbine, a flower he had never seen before: The columbine symbolizes an appreciation for life. The color of the wild flowers on a hillside will catch one’s attention and may symbolize romantic attraction. On the other hand, it may symbolize mistrust of a lover whom one suspects of being unfaithful.1 Day Lily: Maternity, love from the mother, motherly compassion, and motherly “glory” Notes: Can be useful if one wishes to become pregnant, however the pomegranate may be a better choice because of its many seeds. If elders live with members of the younger generation, plant day lilies. They promote longevity and harmonize the relationship between generations. Hibiscus: This flower is associated with Japan, and on the one hand, symbolizes the early morning sun; on the other hand it is symbolic of a family with an impending death. It is often not used because of this dual symbolism. It may be “damaging” to life. Do not use it in the front yard. Note: To balance hibiscus surrounding you, but not on your property: Plant long skinny quince on your property. Or Plant bamboo on your property. Lotus: Purity, intelligence, wisdom, and Buddha’s compassion Notes: It grows out of the muddy water, but blossoms clean and pure. Use the lotus with leaves and/or other flowers. Morning Glory: The “sound” of the trumpet-shaped flowers will wake you up and provide peace throughout the day. (It is considered a yang plant.) It will help to create clear thinking, and will uplift the chi. Narcissus:© KatherineGood fate and good fortune. Metz Orchid: Nobility and culture Notes: In Partnership, they may attract a partner with culture. They may prevent the presence of those who would stab you in the back. Peony: Prosperity, luck, honor, gracefulness, elegance, and cultivation 1Upon further research, Professor was right on. © Katherine Metz 3 Quince: Perseverance, durability, tolerance, and overcoming difficulties Note: It is very tolerant of cold weather, withstanding the tests of winter. Rose: Love, beauty, and romance, but beware of the thorns Note: Professor Lin’s advice is to treasure a relationship, working through the difficulties with love, understanding, wisdom, and compassion. Sunflower: The plant absorbs the powerful energy of the sun and converts it to yang energy. It is a yang flower—a good compliment to yin. Power, strength, loyalty, and holding to principle Water Hyacinth: Graceful beauty, and nothing unexpected FLOWER SHAPES Trumpet-shaped: For example, the Morning glory; the sound of the trumpets will wake you up and provide peace throughout the day. (It is considered a yang plant.) It will help to create clear thinking and uplift the chi. Sun-shaped: For example, the sunflower; it faces the sun all day long and absorbs the yang energy—a good balance in the landscape (which is considered yin as opposed to the dwelling which is yang). TREES In General: If using a tree as a Feng Shui adjustment, an evergreen is preferable to a deciduous tree. A tree with an upward movement is preferable to one that moves downward (such as a Weeping Willow). A tree with flowers and fruit is preferable to one without. TREE TYPES Bamboo: Fidelity, wisdom, dignity, humbleness, prosperity, progression, gentlemanliness, and longevity Well placed in Helpful People © KatherineNote: Metz The essence of bamboo is vitality, and as long as it remains healthy, it provides a sense of peace and prosperity. Banana Palm: Scholarly thoughts and ambitions, knowledge and cultivation Notes: Do not place in Children, Partnership, or Family, for it may portend a premature death of an infant or the infant’s mother. The reason—after the blossom fruits, the plant dies. You can block the tree from view. © Katherine Metz 4 Holly: Happiness, perseverance, longevity, but beware of the thorns—the opposite of happiness. Note: They blossom and fruit in cold weather. Strength. Mulberry: Note: Do not plant in front of the house. In Chinese the word for this tree sounds like “home with death,” “harm,” “injury,” and “funeral.“ Every two months there may be a death in the family.” Adding to this inauspicious symbolism is the fact that this tree is very susceptible to being eaten to death by silk worms. This slow death may mean that one’s resources will be slowly depleted“—“chewed away.” Professor made the following comparison: The mulberry leaf will be eaten quickly—just like the map of China that has been “eaten alive in history.” Olive: Peace Pine: Resilience, integrity, dignity, righteousness, straight forwardness, and longevity Wonderful for our elders Weeping Willow: When asked if a Weeping Willow can be planted in front of the house without ill effect, Professor Lin said, ”Yes.” The Weeping Willow can be used anywhere if not used as a Feng Shui adjustment. However, take note: Do not plant this type of willow in back of the house as an adjustment. In Wealth, money may be lost; in Fame, power may dissipate; in Partnership, a marriage may come apart. In Chinese the word for this tree sounds like “to slip away,” and, along with the downward shape, may symbolize that one’s wealth or spouse may exit from the back door. A business may fail as well. One’s talent may be used by others in an inappropriate fashion. If a Weeping Willow seems to be adding to a difficult situation: Sprinkle a mixture of cinnabar powder, liquor and rice around the trunk of the tree. Then “connect” the tree to the house with the same mixture using the Seeding Mudra. Reinforce with the Three © KatherineSecrets Reinforcement. Metz Or Cut a red ribbon in a multiple of 9, place it under your pillow for 9 nights, and then tie it around the trunk of the tree. Reinforce with The Three Secrets Reinforcement. Important Note: When asked about whether or not any weeping tree is good or bad, Professor Lin answered, “They are OK.” However, having a tree with leaves that reach upward will help to “set you apart.” © Katherine Metz 5 Remember this as you work with someone who is feeling invisible, or living in a complex where every apartment or condo looks exactly the same. Willow: Grace FRUIT Apple: Safety and peace, for the Chinese word sounds like “level,” “even,” and “safe” Pleasure, and things going well As in our western culture: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apricot: Beauty, charm, and the qualities of a charismatic teacher Notes: If the branches extend beyond the property line, one party in a marriage may break his or her vows—perhaps the woman. Cures: Perform the Stability Cure for both the women and men living on the property. Or Place a flute, horizontally, on the door frame above the main door. If the branches from a tree off the property reach into the property, it is a sign of unwanted sexual advances or other problems of a romantic nature—a romantic interlude, a romantic mishap, or physical harm brought about by affairs of the heart. Cures: Mix a teaspoon of realgar and a pinch of cinnabar with 99 drops2 of newly opened liquor. Use your middle finger to dip into the mixture, and then flick the finger 9 times at the branches that are reaching into the yard (using the Ousting Mudra). Reinforce with the Three Secrets and chant the Five Thunders Mantra 9 times, visualizing that disaster will be averted. Or Place a flute, horizontally, on the door frame above the main door. Cherry: Notes: © KatherineIf the branches extend beyond the propertyMetz line, one party in a marriage may break the marriage vow. Cures: Perform the Stability Cure for both the women and men living on the property. Or Place a flute, horizontally, on the door frame above the main door. 2Instead of 99 drops of liquor, you can use 9 small capfuls of liquor. © Katherine Metz 6 If the branches from a tree off the property reach into the property, it is a sign of unwanted sexual advances or other problems of a romantic nature—a romantic interlude, a romantic mishap, or physical harm brought about by affairs of the heart.3 Cures: Mix a teaspoon of realgar and a pinch of cinnabar with 99 drops of newly opened liquor.
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