When the Four Beauties Cause Trouble, the “Butterfly” Comes to the Rescue!

Is this region in Singapore famous for its beauties?

Not long ago, I met up with a good friend from Taiwan at Simei. Curiously he queried: “Does the name ‘Simei’ have to do with the Four Beauties of ancient China, or is this area known for its pretty girls?” Indeed, when mentioning Simei, one tends to think of the Four Great Beauties: Xi Shi, Diao Chan, Yang Guifei, and Wang Zhaojun.

It goes that the name “Simei” originated from a street opposite Changi Fire Station: Jalan Soo Bee, which disproves the reasoning above. However, according to local archives, the government had planned to name four roads here as “Guifei Road”, “Diaochan Road”, “Xishi Road” and “Zhaojun Road”. Unfortunately these names are quite the tongue-twister for non-Chinese residents, and so they later settled for Simei Street 1, 2, and so on. Even though the authorities eventually did not name the roads here after the four beauties, you can find murals of them at the void decks of some HDB flats here.

Simei’s association with the Four Beauties is indisputable, but as a feng shui master what interests me most is of course its feng shui aspect! In Landform feng shui, Simei is part of the “Twin Butterflies” formation, which is beneficial to marriage. How so? Well, butterflies are social insects and “Twin Butterflies” connotes a pairing that lasts through thick and thin – perfect for couples.

That said, while the “Twin Butterflies” feng shui formation is great for marraiges, it’s spoiled by the name “Simei”, causing residents to suffer from health and relationship problems. Bewildered? Well, the explanation is simple when you think about it: the “Four Beauties” (Simei) can be quite seductive! This could lead to romantic encounters that affect marriages. In feng shui studies this is termed as an “evil name”. In this sense, “Simei” not only refers to ancient beauties but can cause misfortune. Residents here should be careful not to flirt around too much!

Speaking of Simei’s “Twin Butterflies” formation, some of you might skeptically question: how did I determine that this area has a “butterfly” formation? In feng shui studies, when a geographical area has accumulated a certain amount of “momentum”, similar “shapes” will begin to appear. Don’t believe us? Since Simei belongs to a “Twin Butterflies” formation, there should be some butterfly-shaped structures here. You don’t have to look too far to find it – just go to Changi General Hospital!

Whether from a frontal or aerial view, the hospital building takes an unmistakable “butterfly” shape, and the hospital logo also resembles a butterfly. If this place wasn’t a “butterfly” formation, how could there be so many coincidences? To be clear, Changi General Hospital officially opened in 1998 but in his book Five Dragons Meet in Singapore (published in the early nineties), Grand Master Tan Khoon Yong had already identified Simei’s “Twin Butterflies” feng shui formation.

Following the construction of the butterfly-shaped Changi General Hospital, the feng shui environment here improved, with calamities turning into blessings and harmonious marriages. Of course, the overall feng shui here can still be improved. Since Simei belongs to the “Twin Butterflies” formation, there should be two butterfly-shaped structures here to make a pair. Looking at the buildings here, the “lone butterfly” that is Changi Hospital could benefit from having a partner to boost the feng shui of the area!

We’ve mentioned that butterflies are social creatures. Well, single residents here can consider adding more plants and greenery to attract “butterflies” into the home and brighten up their love life.

Since Simei is related to “beauty”, the beauty industry should fare well here as well! Changi Hospital could consider adding cosmetic surgery departments so Simei can live up to its name as a place filled with beauties…