Balancing the elements for a special name
What method do you use to determine an auspicious name?
When I'm naming a person I have to know this person's detailed time of birth, gender, and the names of the person's parents to see the person's fate. I combine the theory of Wu Xing [the five elements] and Ba Gua [the eight symbols] to choose a good name. The idea is to find out this person's fate by checking his time of birth and seeing what his element is according to the five-elements theory, which revolves around wood feeding fire, fire creating earth, earth bearing metal, metal carrying water and water nourishing wood. There is also a theory of the destructive elements. If the person's fate is too strong, I will add an element to his name to counter that force and vice versa. The idea is to balance the five elements through the name.
How do you choose just one name?
A good name also relies on the master's command of Chinese. People with more 'culture' can give better names. I am a man of letters and I used to work in a newspaper. I will consider many things to finally choose the right name.
Having an auspicious name has caught on recently. How do you compete with other masters?
I stand out as I am a pious Buddhist and I use my virtue in dealings with clients. There are people who just read two books and think they can name names and make money. That is irresponsible, and very bad both for themselves and the client. Giving an auspicious name is the result of an accumulation of your own virtue, and you must make sure the name can help others improve their fate.
How much do you charge?
Normally I charge 100 to 300 yuan [HK$114 to HK$341] for a person's name. But if the client is poor I will charge less and even give it for free. As a Buddhist, giving an auspicious name is adding to my own virtue. I charge 6,000 yuan to give a stage name because it's more complicated.
Who are your clients?
I have clients who are children of high officials, ordinary citizens, professors, artists and people from outside Beijing. They might still stick to their own name in the official record but will have an auspicious name too. For example, you can have an auspicious pseudonym to improve your writing career. I also give names to a company or a villa.
What skills do you need to be a master?
A real master needs to know how to tell the person's fortune by his time of birth and understanding The Book of Changes. A good knowledge of rhetoric and Chinese folk customs and astrology will also help.
How do you feel about parents letting you name their children?
Well, China has a long history of people from emperors to ordinary citizens requesting auspicious names. Before, people might just ask someone considered cultured to do the job, but in recent years as people have become richer they can afford to have more professional help.
