the ASIAN AROWANA page
Thanks to The Cross Back Golden Arowana Page for the info.
Dragon - The Chinese Believes
The majestic Dragon is a significant icon in the Chinese and many Asian cultures. It is one of the most auspicious of the twelve animal symbols that designate the years in the Chinese sexagenary cycle (60-year cycle). The Dragon is a "Yang" (陽) creature, considered divine. It signifies auspicious, prosperity, wealth, strength and power. Especially in the Southern region of China, people believe that a dragon can ward off evil spirits and thereby protecting both the owner and his home. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to be blessed with riches, fortune, power and longevity.
The Arowana
The Arowana (scientifically known as the Scleropages formosus) is also known as the Dragon Fish because its slender body, distinct barbels and large reflective scales makes it resemble the mythical and mighty dragon. Together, with its bold expression, noble air and elegant movement, the Dragon Fish becomes a hot favourite among hobbyists and aquarists worldwide.
Facts & Myths Surrounding the Majestic Fish
Many legends and myths surround the arowana. Associated with good luck and prosperity, the arowana is the most popular aquarium fish in Asia. The Chinese consider the arowana as the reincarnation of the dragon. They believe that if an arowana is well kept and taken care of, it will bring the owner good luck and fortune. Businessmen started keeping the Arowana, especially the Asian Arowana to maintain a prosperous and growing business. It is also often a "symbol of status" to own not only one, but a few of these rare, exotic and easy to keep fishes.
Fishes & Feng Shui
Geomancers would often encourage their clients to keep a fountain, aquarium or pond to consolidate and direct wealth flowing through the plot of land into the home or business. The conventional Feng Shui fishes always used by geomancers are Carps, Koi, Goldfish & the Arowana.
Contrary to the popular believes, fishes like the Blood Parrot, Luohan, Gourami etc...are NOT true Feng Shui fishes. These fishes have no background and significance in the ancient Chinese believes (because they are recent hybrids) but are occasionally used as Feng Shui tools because of its suitability of colour and temperament with respect to the owner, the business or for the intended purposes. Has anyone heard of any Feng Shui practitioner recommending an Oscar in your tank for good Feng Shui? Usually not because Oscar is considered "fierce" (凶) and unlucky animal (陰物) unless for instance, your family always plagued with ill luck which need poison to counter poison (以毒攻毒). Therefore, on the same note, even Piranha can be used as Feng Shui fish to counter extreme bad luck under the strict instructions of a renowned Master.
Very commonly, they are believed to be a Feng Shui fishes because their names sound religious or auspicious e.g. Luohan which means Arhat in the Buddhist religion. Intelligent fish dealers would label new breeds such names to enhance the sales of their newfound profits.
Arowana & Feng Shui
Why are arowana preferred among Feng Shui fishes? Simply because they are very hardy and require very low maintenance.
In order for the pond or aquarium to be able to consolidate wealth and/or perform its designated Feng Shui functions, it must be kept clean and most importantly, the aquatic living things must be well taken care of, lively and flourishing. A pool of dead, stinky and/or dirty water together with sick or dead fishes and plants might bring upon adverse effects onto the owners.
It is a known fact that to keep and raise Kois, Carps or Goldfishes well is not a knowledge that can be easily picked up by fresh hobbyists, especially those who are not too keen in fish rearing. It is also known that these fishes are prone to diseases from time to time and it involves a lot of effort in water maintenance. It also requires a superior filtration system to upkeep them in a healthy condition. These often overload the owner with time, money and stress. Worst of all, it may affect the good Feng Shui. In addition, not everyone has the luxury of owning a outdoor pond to rear Kois.
Arowana on the other hand is clean in nature due to its feeding habits and excretes little. It doesn't require expensive filtration system and thrives well under extreme conditions. A beauty that can be kept in a bare glass tank thereby reducing the maintenance efforts and costs. In general, this fish does not fall sick easily and if it does, most of the time due to human error or "hear-say, act-smart" philosophy.
Where Should I Locate My Feng Shui Tank?
It is commonly known that it is unwise to locate fish tanks in bedrooms and kitchen. In addition, placing it in front of religious altars (for Chinese religion) should be avoided too. The "Dragon's Den" (龍穴) located in front of your dieties' altar certainly obstructs the deities ability to bring goodies and protection to your family. This position is worse if one of the altar is meant for ancestors. Your ancestors will not even dare enter your home with a dragon robe (龍袍) placed in front of them. Just some of my pointers.
There is no standard position in every premise to locate your fish tank for good Feng Shui. Always consult a good Feng Shui practitioner.
Does The Colour of a Arowana Matters?
On selection of arowana for
Feng Shui purposes, colours do matter as it has to suit the owner's intention or
priority e.g. for luck, health, family, business etc.. Also, the
"design" on top of the arowana's head tells the strength of the
arowana for a certain purpose and whether this strength is too strong for the
owner or his family members. Not all greens are not suitable for gamblers and
red for business etc...
Generally, the 3 Asian arowana colours signify 3 legendary figures - Golden
for Liu Bei (劉備),
Red for Guan Gong (關公)
and Green for Zhang Fei (張飛)
- the 3 sworn brothers in the Romance of the 3 Kingdoms (三國演義).
Based on the knowledge of the strengths and personalities of these 3 brothers,
certain arowana are chosen to perform their tasks. Wrong choice of arowana or
wrong tank position can bring bad luck to the owner, family or business etc..
Why are Reds usually bought for business purposes? Because Chinese believe that
Guan Gong is also a God Of Wealth (武圣)
therefore Red - But not necessarily. Not all people are suitable to worship Guan
Gong. His "Sha Chi" (煞气)
is too strong for family members or colleagues who have weaker personal
elements.
Does The Number of Arowana Matters?
No particular number is good unless you know what you are doing or the purpose of the feng shui tank. Also your personal characters matters. 8 may sound good but 8 can also signify Ba Gua (八卦) which if you do not enter or exit correctly or at the wrong time or position, you are trapped inside. 4 & 7 usually sound unlucky but if used correctly, can also enhance your living etc.....5 signifies 5 Elements (五形) and 9 signifies 9 Heavenly Palace (九宮).
For example, if you have a
coin box placed at the wealth position but inside, somehow a spider is trapped
inside unknowingly and full of spider web, see whether this coin box brings you
luck or not etc..
Can I Determine My Feng Shui Tank?
My advise is, if you are not about to engage someone who knows this field well,
just rear your arowana as a hobby. Not be bothered by numbers or position or
date or time. Do not self assume your tank of fish (any fish) as Feng Shui tank
unless you are instructed or have the knowledge. In relation, what is in the
tank is of concern otherwise why are we concern about what type of fish, colour
and number?
It may backfire! It may cost
you a bomb to pay for the service of a Master to clear up the mess that you have
created.
Combination of Arowana & Other Fishes In A Feng Shui Aquarium
Arowana are sometimes kept
with other ornamental fish to enhance good luck and prosperity to the business
and home. A few combinations are:
Celestial Dragon and Divine Tiger (祥龍伏虎)
This is a combination of an Arowana and Siamese Tiger (泰國虎).
The surface swimming Arowana represents the cruising dragon in the cloud while
the bottom swimming Siamese Tiger signifies the Guardian of the Earth. This
denotes full manipulation of situation within fingertips, rapid career
advancement and great business improvement.
In some circumstances, it can
also be used to create the Feng Shui in a premise which lacks a taller building
or landscape on the left and a shorter one on the right (青龍白虎陣).
This, however, has to be carefully done to avoid creating the reverse.
Celestial Dragon and Charming Phoenix (龍鳳配)
This is a combination of an Arowana and the Charming Phoenix (飛鳳).
It signifies the carefree cruising dragon in the peaceful sky and the beauty of
the flying phoenix in the mortal world. This resembles immense luck, success,
achievement in things one does.
This combination can also be
used to create harmony for newly-wed couples.
Celestial Dragon, Divine Tiger and Charming Phoenix (龍，
虎， 鳳)
This is a combination of an Arowana, Siamese Tiger and the Charming Phoenix.
Celestial Dragon represents prosperity, peace and longevity, Siamese Tiger for
vigour and Charming Phoenix for success. A striking combination for successful
business ventures and progress.
Celestial Dragon, Charming Phoenix and Majestic Shelter (龍，
鳳， 間)
The union of Celestial Dragon and Charming Phoenix resemble vitality and
mortality that protect our generation after generation. The nine-band Majestic
Shelter (皇冠九間)
provides good homes and prosperity
to the family clan.
Yin &
Yang Feng Shui
Does anyone here know that there is such a thing as Ying (陰)
Feng Shui and Yang (陽)
Feng Shui? The former utilises the underworld way of practice to counter bad
Feng Shui and performs enhancement with its field of specialty and latter is
what you usually encounter, read or seen before.
Contradiction Clause
There are many schools of thoughts. No right, no wrong. It's about how a Feng Shui master utilises his knowledge and ability to improve on one's good element or counters the bad ones.
There are many schools of practice and theories so can have many debates, agreements and disagreements....
For your believe only.
For Those Seeking Feng Shui Consultancy
For those keen in knowing more about their fortune prediction and Feng Shui, we are located at:
Blk 203, Hougang St 21 #01-77. S'pore 530203
Tel: 62868798
Strictly by appointment only.
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