When comes to renovation, many people are puzzled by the different procedures. Moreover, consulting FS masters also offerred different advice. The following serves as a guide so that you can have a better understanding.
Dong Tu is actually an act prior to the actual renovation works. This act based on different dialect groups/ customs varies in practises.
Generally, one traditional attention is on the 'earth god'. Fresh fruits, incense, chinese wine and etc are brought to offer. Other additional items can follow the advice of the elder family members/ relatives.
(The above are meant for people who are still traditional/ follow customs or has elders around/advising to do)
A date is selected for this purpose. Thereafter, shall proceed with the renovation immediately.
The above is a part of the chinese tradition (optional) and also meant for auspiciousness.
On the other hand, what is more important is where and when to start the renovation first.
Move-in Procedures
This is the day where you and your family members begin moving into the new home.
Again base on different traditions, there are certain procedures to follow. (Some are optional)
This is only a sample guide for mostly the chinese. And its not complete.
On the specified date, the following things are brought along:
1) Own personal belongings such as shaver, toothbrush, comb, nailclipper, soap, slippers and underwear. Your own bowl, chopsticks/ fork and spoon tied in red ribbon.
2) Broom and dustpan (new) tied in red ribbon ( place and hide away in the kitchen or store). A rice container filled with rice. At the bottom of the rice, put a piece of red packet. On the kichen table, location as advice by master, place a bowl of rice with chopstick and spoon.
3) Again as advice by master, place at a certain location mandarin oranges, nian gao, pineapple, promegranate leaves, fa gao, fa chai. If during meal time, dishes like fish and prawns.
4) Keep all the windows and doors open. Make sure the place is bright or switch on all the lights.
5) Optional: For those who pray to their own god, the god, altar, offerings etc should go in first.
6) As adviced, depending on the application, salt shall be sprinkled on the floor or placed at the four corners of the house. Optional: coins or rice can be thrown and auspicious words mentioned.
7) At the selected time, to walk over a fire stove. This fire stove can only be walked over by designated people. The master will advice which spouse should walk across the fire stove first. In some special cases, one spouse may have to wait for another time. During about that hour the invited guests should arrive.
Why do we follow some of these traditional practises? One, for auspiciousness. It is always auspicious to be happy, seeing and hearing nice things.
Two, as a respect and connection with the elders around.
Three, for without tradition, we lose our roots.
The above are not feng shui practises.
Both the lists above are not complete. You have to consult the Fsm for the important issues during your move-in.
There are many FSM out there. Whether be it credentials, lineage, methods and etc often post difficulty for you to choose.
You are welcome to clarify or ask any question here before you make a decision.