Q I HAVE received an ornamental elephant and understand that elephants can bring good luck, providing they are positioned correctly in relation to the front door. Where should I place the elephant to bring good luck? - D Knowles, Darlington.
A ELEPHANTS are often associated with good or bad luck and, in Buddhism, they are also regarded as a symbol of strength, wisdom and prudence. The elephant is a sacred animal in Buddhism because it was said to have offered flowers to Buddha. According to Buddhist beliefs, elephants should be placed high on a mantel or shelf, or on an altar.
Superstitious people believe that an elephant can bring bad luck if its trunk is pointing downwards towards the ground. When an elephant's trunk is facing up it is supposed to bring good luck. Even if the elephant's trunk is facing down, with a little upturn at the end, this should still bring good luck.
The elephant's luck-bringing properties are now even better known because of the increasing interest in the Oriental practice of Feng Shui. This set of ideas, based on the principle of yin and yang, attempts to improve balance and harmony in man-made environments, particulary with the positioning of furniture or objects in the home. According to Feng Shui beliefs, the trunk of an elephant should point toward the front door or to any door to the outside. It is believed that this can draw in money and prosperity.
Q WHY are waterfalls called linns and lakes loughs in Northumberland. Surely these words are Welsh and Irish? - Bill Hutchinson, Chester-le-Street.
A LAKES are called loughs in Northumberland, on the map at least. Examples include four near Hadrian's Wall, to the north of Bardon Mill, called Grindon Lough, Broomlee Lough, Crag Lough and Greenlee Lough.
In Northumberland, the word lough is pronounced loff, although it is almost certainly a word of Celtic origin. The word linn is also a Celtic word. In Wales, a linn is a lake, but in Northumberland and in Durham, as far south as Weardale, a linn is a waterfall. It has been suggested that linn originally referred to a pool at the foot of a waterfall. In Teesdale, they use a Viking word, force.
Published: 15/04/2002
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