What impact does Feng Shui have on your gift giving practices? It is interesting to note that the Chinese community operate under their own unique culture when it comes to giving and receiving gifts. However, this practice is also believed to have everything to do with customs and culture, and not at all related to Feng Shui - an art of tapping into the Qi of living environment to help with endeavours in life.
In this article, we go under the layers of cultures and traditions to unravel whether or not Feng Shui approach is evident in these practices.
Probably the most famous customs of the Chinese gift culture is one that concerns sharp objects. It is said that pointed items like scissors or knives represent the meaning of bitter separation from your friends or spouse, so think twice about giving a knife to your girlfriend (Although, it is rather unlikely, unless she is a budding chef who has been eyeing on a set of chef's knives).
This practice is most likely rooted in the way Sha Qi is perceived in Feng Shui. In Feng Shui, we tend to avoid sharp edges in our living space, but some people may take this approach a little too far as to removing even the slightest object that may appear to be a little pointy, such as a pot of cactus. As with all things Feng Shui, proportion and balanced are essential. As long as you don't tie a ribbon around a giant scythe for a Valentine present, you should be on the safe side.
What about an old antique vase or clock? Is it good luck or bad luck to own such an old item? We can't blame receiver for their concern that the item might carry with it some bad Qi left over from ancient times. If it worries them and cause unnecessary mental anguish, then consider taking the item to a temple for a cleansing. If you don't feel anything negative about it, however, it is perfectly okay. You don't have to make it a routine to cleanse everything you're gifted just because they exude a vintage or ancient vibe.
Meanwhile, giving clocks as a present are merely cultural. This belief, a rather famous one, goes like this: presenting clock actually implies a funeral ritual (song zhong) as both these activities share similar intonation. The same goes for gifting shoes where in Cantonese, the pronunciation - hai - mimics the sigh of the restless, foreshadowing potential worries or problems in the future.
Although these are merely cultural belief, and not really Feng Shui, it is important to recognise them if you wish to avoid making a blunder in your gift bearing practice.
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