What are the feng shui effects of keeping a turtle at home?
The turtle is one of the four sacred beasts of ancient China (the Black Tortoise), and Chinese people are especially fond of turtles because they live extremely long lives and can witness centuries of rise and fall in the human world. Since ancient times they have been regarded as a symbol of longevity and good fortune, and the turtle shell was one of the earliest implements used in divination, so the turtle is an animal full of divinity. Let us take a look below at the feng shui effects of keeping a turtle at home!
The feng shui effects of keeping a turtle at home
1. Adding longevity: The turtle is an auspicious beast symbolizing longevity. Keeping one at home can help add longevity to the household, and it is even better to keep one in a home with elderly people.
2. Blocking and dissolving negative energy: The turtle shell has the effect of blocking and dissolving negative energy in feng shui. This is the reason for keeping a turtle in a place with beam negative energy.
3. Protecting the family: The turtle is a spiritual creature. With proper care, its divinity can be used to protect the entire family.
Where is the best place to keep a turtle for good feng shui?
1. Free roaming: A turtle that roams freely is called a "negative-energy-dissolving turtle" in feng shui. When one's luck is extremely poor or one lacks the fire element, one can keep a turtle at home and let it roam freely. On one hand, the turtle shell blocks negative energy and drives away bad luck; on the other hand, it can strengthen fire luck and drive away negative evil spirits.
2. Placement direction: The turtle is a branch of the Black Tortoise, belonging to the water element in the five elements. Water is in the north, so it is best to keep a turtle in the north. It is recommended to place some green plants nearby to form a pattern of water and wood generating each other. In this way the turtle will live longer and the owner's fortune will be better.
3. Placement environment: Do not place items or appliances belonging to the fire element next to the turtle, as this will cause harm to the turtle and thereby affect the owner's fortune. Moreover, placing fire-element items will form a pattern of water and fire balancing each other, which will likewise have a bad effect on the owner.
4. Placement position: Turtles are usually placed in the living room (the bright hall). The feng shui of the bright hall is related to the health and fortune of the household owner, and every house has its own wealth position. Therefore, as long as it is placed in the wealth position of the living room, it can boost the owner's wealth luck, but the wealth position of the living room differs from case to case.
How should you keep a turtle at home so that it thrives?
1. Choosing a turtle: First observe whether it constantly breathes with its mouth open or has a runny nose, and check whether it has wounds, shell defects, or whether it retracts its claws with strength. After buying it and bringing it home, you must first isolate and observe it. Besides adapting to the new environment, you should also watch for signs of disease.
2. Choosing a fish tank
① Tank size: Do not buy a fish tank that is too small for a small turtle. The size of the tank should be at least 5 times larger than the small turtle. At the same time, do not let the turtle soak in water all the time; just enough water to reach half of its body is sufficient.
② Tank setup: Put some sand or stones in the fish tank used for keeping the turtle, which helps the small turtle bask its back and ventilate, and prevents shell rot. The water should be changed once a week.
3. Light control: Place the small turtle in a spot where it can get sunlight, but avoid exposure to strong sun. There should be a shady place and a pool or water basin for resting and playing. Also, small turtles are quite active, and appropriate exercise of their limbs is good for bone development.
4. Choosing feed: The turtle is an omnivorous animal. It eats both animal feed such as small fish, small shrimp, snails, mussels, earthworms, maggots, and offal from poultry and livestock, and plant feed such as tubers, vegetables, grains, and aquatic plants.
5. Feeding food: Turtles are generally fed once every 3 days. The amount fed can be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the size of the turtle. Generally, it can be fed 5-10% of its body weight. In spring and autumn, when the temperature is moderate and appetite is strong, it can be increased appropriately. Before winter arrives, feed a little more than usual.
① Fixed time: In spring and autumn, when the temperature is lower, it is best to feed at 8-9 a.m. From Grain Rain to the Autumn Equinox is the peak feeding season, but during the hottest part of summer, it is best to feed at 16-17 in the afternoon. A fixed time allows the turtle to eat on schedule and obtain more nutrition.
② Fixed location: Set up fixed feeding points at intervals along the edge of the pool. The feeding platform at the feeding point should be close to the water surface so that the turtle can swallow water and bite food easily. Feeding at fixed locations lets the turtle develop a habit, makes it easier for it to find food, and also makes it easier to observe the turtle's condition.
③ Fixed quality: The feed given should stay fresh. After feeding, promptly remove leftover food to prevent the feed from rotting and smelling, which would affect the turtle's appetite and pollute the water quality.
④ Fixed amount: The amount of feed given depends on the temperature, water quality, the turtle's appetite, and its activity level. It is best if a little food remains after the meal. Generally, feed once every 2-3 days.
6. Water quality management: During keeping, decide whether to change the water based on how clean the water is. When the water is found to be polluted or cloudy, it should be changed. In summer, the water should be changed more frequently; in winter, less frequently. During hibernation, it is even less suitable to change it often, and the new water added should be about 1-2°C higher than the usual water temperature.
7. Temperature management: The turtle is a poikilothermic animal. When the water temperature drops below 15°C, it lies still at the bottom of the water and begins to hibernate. At the turn of spring and summer, when the water temperature rises above 15°C, it begins to move and seek food. The most suitable temperature is 25-30°C, and above 35°C it stops feeding.
8. Disease prevention and control: When keeping turtles, often use potassium permanganate solution to disinfect the turtle, and add an appropriate amount of oxytetracycline or furazolidone to the feed. These measures have a very good effect on disease prevention for turtles. In addition, prevent enemies such as rats, snakes, and cats from attacking the turtle.
9. Hibernation management: Turtles begin feeding in early April each year, and feeding activity reaches its peak from June to August. When the temperature drops below 18°C, they stop eating, and below 15°C they begin to hibernate. Hibernation is generally from November to April each year, but the situation differs for each kind of turtle, so management should be strengthened.