The first mention of Feng Shui comes from The Book of Burial (c. 300 BCE) where it says: “The energy that rides the wind stops at the edge of water and is retained.” Just how Feng Shui developed acrossthe world is hard to say. Traditional Feng Shui started as a joining of construction and astrology In Chinese the literal translation of Feng Shui is “Wind Water”. Since the time of Xia, Capital cities in China have been constructed to the rules of feng shui. The rules for the construction of cities can be found in the Zhou-era Kaogong ji (Manual of Crafts). Rules for builders were codified in the Lu ban jing (Carpenter’s Manual). In fact, it is only within the last 50 years that Feng Shui has actully been introduced indoors. An interesting note is that in 1949, feng shui became illegal in China. The Chinese Government then assigned a departement to oversee the practise of Feng Shui.
Over centuries various ways of practising Feng Shui have emerged.
There are basically three main schools each with its own unique approach.
Lo Pan Feng Shui
This relies heavily on the use of a traditional Feng Shui compass. This compass is called Lo P`an. This compass may have up to 64 concentric rings containing information used by the Feng Shui consultant. Compass Feng Shui is traditional in China as a service provided for buriel. The Chinese believe that a person buried in the wrong place will return to haunt the living.
Pa Kwa Feng Shui
This style of Feng Shui uses the direction your house faces to arrive at information. It also divides your house into Eight areas of enrichments. These areas govern every area of your life.
Yin Yang Feng Shui
This style of Feng Shui is concerned with the way energy flows around your house and how you fit in with that energy. It seeks to find a balance between Yin and Yang.
The Five Elements in Feng Shui
The Five Elements In Feng Shui are central to understanding Feng Shui. The theory of the five elements is central to Oriental wisdom, medicine and philosophy. The Chinese view of the universe revolves around the five elements. These elements are Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal.
- Earth – Helps metal, is helped by fire, hinders water and is hindered by wood.
- Fire – Helps earth, helped by wood, hinders metal and is hindered by water.
- Water – Helps wood, helped by metal, hinders fire and is hindered by earth.
- Metal – Helps water, helped by earth, hinders wood and is hindered by fire.
- Wood – Helps fire, helped by water, hinders earth and is hindered by metal.
These elements are interactive and shape every aspect of the daily life. Productively they lead to harmony, properity and happiness.
The Productive Cycle in Feng Shui
The view of the production cycle is
- Water nourishes plants and trees, wood makes fire which burns into ashes to form earth, earth is the source of metal, metal can be condensed to water or can be melted into liquid – water.
- This is the natural order.
- The destructive cycle is : Water puts out fire, fire melts metal, metal breaks wood, wood penetrates the earth, and earth absorbs water.
The Lo Shu Square
The origins of the Lo Shu sqaure may be found in ancient Chinese legend. Around 4,000 years ago a turtle appeared in the river Lo and on its shell were nine clusters of circular markings. Each cluster comprised between one and nine dots arranged in a three by three grid pattern. The nine numbers were so arranged that if you added together any three you always got a total of fifeteen.
Ying and Yang
The concept to Ying and Yang is central to Chinese cosmology.
Yin and Yang are symbolized the sun and moon.
There are two opposing forces active in the universe.
Yin exists in Yang and Yang exists in Yin.
This is the the changing combination of negative and positive, dark and light, cold and hot which keeps the world spinning and creates Chi – the giving life force.
Yin : Female : Earth, moonlight, darkness, quiet, decreasing, absorbing, receptive, winter, soft.
Direction – North, Quality – Shady, Numbers – Even.
Yang : Heaven, sunlight, day, heat, motion, masculine, active, summer.
Direction – South, Quality – Sunny, Numbers – uneven.
State of Balance : In all aspects of life a state of balance should exist between the opposing forces of Ying and Yang.
Feng Shui around the House
Feng Shui Around The House is important and provides a positive flow right around your life.
- Avoid loss of Chi by placing a screen against the entrance.
- The bedroom door should not face the kitchen or toilet.
- The bed should not face the door.
- Always have a good space between the bed and the window.
- The front door should not directly face a staircase.
- Place a screen in front of the staircase.
- The front door should not face the toilet.
- Leave a good distance between the sink and stove.
- Do not have the door to outside facing directly towards the kitchen.
- The stove should not face directly towards the door.
- The stove should not be placed against the sink.
- Winding drive, circular drive and a generous drive is favourable.
Feng Pa
The Pa Kau represents the eight forces of nature : Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, Mountain, Lake, Thunder and Heaven. The Pa Kua is often placed at the door of a house or on a window ledge for protection. The Pa Kua is used to ward off evil spirits or curses. The Chinese believe that fate is connected with the stars. In 1987 a stone chart of the sky was discovered above Jiangsu. Dated to over 5,000 years ago this stone chart is believed to be the first of its kind in human history. The twenty four celestial constellations are made up of four Pa Kua positions.
Chi in Feng Shui
Chi in Feng Shui is the positive life energy force.
Chi flows through every part of the body, through every living thing and through all things of the universe. In Chinese mythology it is associated with the Dragon. Heaven Chi governs the celestial cycles. Earth Chi the ground and so on. Finding the right spot when building a home will maximise Chi. Chi is very sensitive to shapes, elements, obstructions and other variations. Feng Shui is the art of improving the flow of Chi.
There are four main types of Chi
- Sheng Chi – wise Chi from the east.
- Yang Chi – invigorating Chi from the south.
- Tsang Chi – nurturing Chi from the north.
- Sha Chi – disruptive Chi from the west.
Feng Sha
Sha is the inversion of the life force Chi. It is the negative energy and it associated with the tiger energy. Places which are damp, flat, dark, hollow, crowded or have straight lines are affected by Sha. Railroad lines and telephone lines all promote Sha. Straight or rectangular lines will attract the energy of Sha.
The Eight Enrichments
The eight enrichments are
- Fame and ambition.
- Wealth and acquisitions.
- Wisdom and learning.
- Children and family.
- Relationships.
- Friendships.
- Pleasures.
- Health and happiness.
Each enrichment is associated with a triagram.
Trigrams
The eight Trigrams are thought to have been created by Fu Hsi who was a Emperor of China sometime around 3,000 B.C. In around 1,000 B.C. Emperor Wen further expanded them to make the 64 hexagrams. Emperor Wen also rearranged the order of the triagrams. The original oprder is called Former Heaven Sequence. The later is called Later Heaven Sequence.
- Ch`Ien – The creative summer, south, fire, 9.
- Tui – The lake, early summer, south east, 4.
- Li – The clinging, spring, east, wood, 3.
- Chen – The thunder, late winter, north east, 8.
- K`un – The receptive, winter, north, water, 1.
- Ken – The mountain, early winter, north west, 6.
- K`an – The dangerous, autumn, west, metal, 7.
- H`sun – The wind, late summer, south west, 2.
Feng Shui Remedies
Adding Feng Shui Remedies to an enrichment area can improve the flow of Chi and remove any problems. There are eight remedies in total.
Light
This remedy includes lighting, mirrors and reflective surfaces. Mirrors are the most popular. The Chinese make great use of lights in their garden area.
Sound
The best here is wind chimes, bells, metal mobiles and bamboo tubes. Wind chimes work by disturbing stagnent Chi through the swirls and eddies of sound in the air. Harmonious sounds also attract lucky Chi.
Colour
Colour, especially red and black can be used to stimulate the flow of Chi.
Life
Any living object be it plant or animal may be used. PLants are usually used for sharp corners or to fill areas without Chi. Fish are considered living symbols of wealth. This is why aquariums are close to the cash register in Chinese restaurants.
Movement
Flags, ribbons, silk banners, fountains wind chimes and weather vanes are the best here. They should however be made of natural materials.
Stillness
This is for when Chi is flowing too fast. Statues or large rocks are effective.
Mechanical and Electrical
Traditionally this remedy meant machinery. These days it is extended to include electrical equipment. Electrical equipment stimulates Chi but sometimes too much.
Straight Lines
It is best here to use scrolls, swords, flutes, bamboo tubes and fans.
Methods to Enhance Chi
There are numerous Methods To Enhance Chi. Pot plants enhance and energize the element of wood. Place them in the corner of your living room or dining room but not in the bedroom or kitchen. Candles energise the element of fire. Very favourable to balance an odd shaped room. Crystals energise the earth element. Hang a crystal in your window for good fortune. Fish bowls energise the element of water. Usefull in attracting wealth and prosperity. Mirrors are used to deflect sha. Place the mirror facing excessive noise. Building or buying a home : A site facing water is life giving. Next to a mountain or hill helps to promote chi. In the northern hemisphere you should take advantage of the southerly aspect.
Feng Shui For Doors
Feng Shui For Doors provides positive feng shui around the home. Doors should open opposite each other. Doors should not be offset. If doors are offset use a mirror remedy. You should postion the furniture as far away from opening doors as is possible. Doors should open and close easily. Doors should be in proportion to the room size. If the door is too large it will allow the Chi to escape to fast. If the doors are too small it restricts the Chi access.
Feng Shui for Windows
Windows should open outwards. Octagonal and arched windows are good feng shui. If windows open inwards you will need to establish the type of chi being let in. Opening inwards to the West may be a problem, so take action by blocking excess sha chi with an outward facing mirror or a plant on a windowsill.
Feng Shui For Desks
Feng Shui For Desks will help creat a happier work enviroment. Never sit with your back to the door. If there is more then one door you need to position your desk so you can see all doors. Do not sit with your back to a west facing window. To attract fame and fortune have the desk facing south, south-east. If you overlay the Pa Kwwa onto your desk then where you sit at the front should be regarded as your fame enrichment. To the left is your health area. Keep your outtray here. To the right is your wealth enrichment so keep your intray here. The right hand edge is your education so keep reference books here. The left hand edge is where you should place your coffee.
Feng Shui For Curtains
Feng Shui For Curtains is an important aspect of any house. During daytime curtains should be pulled back. However at night keep all curtains closed. It is very bad luck to have an exposed window looking into the black night. Blinds should only be of natural material such as wood. Chi filtering through blinds will take on the resonance of the blind colour. Curtains that hang limply each sideof
