In the wild, Mandarin ducks have delighted people in the Far East for countless generations with their exquisite plumage and interesting habits. Symbolically, these ducks are viewed as powerful sources of love. As part of the philosophy of Feng Shui, literally, wind and water, they play a key role in facilitating romantic pursuits. To maximize their fulfillment of this task, seven tips that include what they should be made of, how they should be arranged, where to locate them, and how to care for them really stand out.
Mandarin Ducks, an Important Feng Shui Love Symbol
1. Living Symbols
Actual Mandarin ducks have to be one of the most colorful ducks anywhere. Natives of East Asia, they’ve been imported to other regions of the world where they’ve become naturalized. Large colonies of these immigrants exist in the British Isles with small groups thriving in northern California. Here, they can be seen with their equally showy North American cousins, the Wood ducks. Both species possess silver-white edging on their flight feathers and a penchant for perching high in trees. Mandarin ducks differ from Wood ducks in having less deep green coloring and an orange-gold cast throughout their bodies. They also have unique wingtips they hold up like sails when swimming or just sitting around.
2. Two is the Magic Number
Attracting love and maintaining it are the central goals in incorporating Mandarin ducks into a home’s layout. The love stems from that between a breeding pair of Mandarin ducks. They are part of the greater philosophy of Feng Shui that believes the addition of various materials and objects, correctly arranged in the home, will lead to success, health, and well-being by properly channeling the essential energy of the universe known as Chi.
Early on, people noticed that this driving force caused events to go through cycles in which things would go to one extreme before moving to its opposite. In the end, the balance was achieved between these opposing characteristics called Yin and Yang or the female and male principles. A breeding pair of Mandarin ducks can be seen as representatives of Yin and Yang. They not only represent love, but they also help keep the household in harmonious balance. But this is only the case when there’s just two.
3. The Right Material
Paintings and sculptures are the two primary means by which Mandarin ducks come into the home. With one or two paintings, things are fairly simple. With sculpture, the choice of materials plays an important role. Everything from metal to glass can be used to cast the figures. They are also often carved from jade. A particularly favored material is rose quartz. Along with being a beautiful, natural material, rose quartz also possesses its own power to draw and amplify love. Combining it with the likenesses of a Mandarin breeding pair creates an especially powerful talisman. Considering that figurines made of this gemstone usually have to be hand carved, they’re nice works of art to have in the home, too.
4. Holding the Gaze
Their remarkable beauty might have first caught the eyes of ancient Chinese philosophers and mystics, but it was their characteristic of mating for life that inspired a deeper interest. The love and loyalty of a breeding pair of Mandarin ducks are so powerful that when one passes away, the other will soon die of a broken heart rather than search out another mate. Even when separated for any significant length of time, a Mandarin duck will become distressed. For this reason, paintings and figurines of the ducks must never be facing away from one another or else they will bring strife instead of love.
5. The Unbreakable Bond
Even as symbols, Mandarin duck figurines stay true and committed to each other. If only one is broken, both must be discarded. When they’re separated under these circumstances, their love is lost. The love in the home will also be chased away.
6. The Right Spot
Since Feng Shui considers arrangements as important as objects themselves, placement of the Mandarin ducks is the next important step in allowing them to work their magic. Their location is just part of a larger scheme involving the layout and upkeep of the home. For example, the northwest, southwest, and center of the house are considered the most important locales. In particular, the southwest area is viewed as the center of love and marriage. When a new house is constructed according to Feng Shui, the master bedroom will be located here. The Mandarin ducks, of course, will also take up occupancy here. If an existing home has the bedroom situated elsewhere, that’s the best spot for them. For a lone resident, keep the ducks near the bed. For married couples, the husband’s side of the bed is better.
7. Keep Things Light
Feng Shui teaches that light promotes Chi while darkness deters it. The Mandarin ducks should be in a lighted area. If there’s a window close by to accomplish this, that’s great. Artificial lighting will do the trick, too. In fact, in Feng Shui, the southwest area is connected not only to love but to the essential elements of earth and fire. Lighting is seen as a representation of fire, so it harmonizes well with the love emanating from the Mandarin ducks. While on the subject of basic elements, wood in the form of plants along with water should preferably be avoided in this space.
8. Keep Things Clean
A cluttered environment is just as detrimental to the flow of Chi as darkness is. The Mandarin ducks need plenty of open space around them to let their love radiate outwards. Keeping them in an open location also enhances their attractiveness as a displayed work of art.
Bottom Line
Now that you have the important knowledge about Mandarin ducks, there’s no reason to hold off bringing a pair of them into the household. Feng Shui is all about fostering the good things in life. Love is certainly part of this package, and Mandarin ducks have it covered.