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Dear Anon,

There are two types of `gourd':-

1. The first is called simply as "Gourd". The equivalent here is called the water-melon in the west.

In the Chinese province of Canton or in Hong Kong, with predominantly Cantonese speaking dialect group. Never give the water-melon as a present as the word "Xi Gua" is = water melon. The word "Xi" signifies death.

2. In this message, you are most likely to refer to the bottle-gourd or in Mandarin called "hu-lu".

The bottle-gourd is linked to a Toaist's object. In Chinese symbolism, it is a replica of heaven and earth joining (due to the two spherical shape.)

On the Chinese Lunar calendar: 5th day of the 5th month; which is the feast of the summer solstice, a bottle-gourd made of paper is hung at the gate leading into the house.

The bottle-gourd is also the `weapon' used by Tie Guai Li, one fo the eight immortals.

In my opinion, a bottle-gourd is considered an auspicious item. It is acceptable to keep such an object in the home as a decorative piece only. It is not used in any particular way as an object to neutralise etc...

Warmest Regards,
Cecil



On 10/17/99 3:12:13 PM, Anonymous wrote:
>Dear cecil,
>
>What is the significance of
>keeping a gourd at home?
>Thanks.
>