Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese discipline, has always been shrouded in mystery and controversy. As introduced by Wu Liangzian, Feng Shui is not only a science of environmental selection but also a comprehensive knowledge system that integrates philosophy, geography, history, and culture. Literally, Feng Shui refers to “wind” and “water,” concerning the geographical situation of residential bases, tombs, and so on, such as the direction of the earth’s veins and mountains and rivers. It is widely believed among the public that the quality of Feng Shui can affect the prosperity and fortune of one’s family and descendants. So, what exactly is Feng Shui, and how do we judge the Feng Shui of a place?
Firstly, Feng Shui is a discipline that observes, utilizes, and complies with nature. In ancient times, people summarized a set of theories about the relationship between the environment and people by observing the patterns of mountains, rivers, the sun, the moon, and the stars. Feng Shui believes that the environment in which people live is closely related to their destiny; a good environment can bring good luck, while a bad one may lead to misfortune. This theory is not only reflected in the selection of residences but also widely applied in urban planning, tomb selection, palace layout, and other fields.
To understand Feng Shui, we need to approach it from the following aspects:
1.The Core Elements of Feng Shui
The core elements of Feng Shui mainly include two aspects: “Form School” and “Qi School.” The Form School focuses on the intuitive manifestation of geographical situations, such as the trend of mountain ranges, the flow of rivers, and the undulations of the terrain. Qi School emphasizes the changes of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and their impact on the environment and people. The Form School and Qi School complement each other, forming a complete system of Feng Shui.
In terms of the Form School, Feng Shui believes that mountain ranges are “dragon veins,” the core element of Feng Shui. The trend and shape of the dragon veins determine the quality of Feng Shui. Good dragon veins usually have winding and majestic characteristics, capable of gathering the qi of heaven and earth, bringing good luck to the inhabitants. In contrast, fierce dragon veins may bring diseases, disasters, and other misfortunes.
In terms of Qi School, Feng Shui emphasizes the principles of Yin-Yang balance and the generation and overcoming cycles of the Five Elements. Yin-Yang balance implies harmony and stability in the environment, while the Five Elements reveal the interrelationships and patterns of change among all things. By adjusting the balance of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements, one can achieve the goal of seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.
2.Methods for Judging the Feng Shui of a Place
Judging the quality of Feng Shui in a place requires a comprehensive consideration from multiple aspects. Here are some commonly used methods:
1.Observing Terrain and Landform Terrain and landform are important bases for judging Feng Shui. The ideal terrain and landform should be flat, surrounded by mountains and rivers, and have a strong back mountain. Such terrain and landform help create a harmonious living atmosphere, which is conducive to people’s career development. Specifically, the northwest position corresponds to the Qian hexagram, which is the main source of noble and prosperous qi and longevity, so the northwest position must be high and not low; the northeast position is commonly known as the descendants’ mountain, which is in charge of offspring and descendants, so it should be high and substantial, not low; the southwest position can nurture all things, and its layout is related to the health of family members.
2.Investigating Geology and Hydrology Geological and hydrological conditions are also important factors in judging Feng Shui. Good geological structures and hydrological conditions can ensure the stability and comfort of the living environment. In terms of geology, one should avoid areas prone to geological disasters such as faults and landslides; in terms of hydrology, one should choose places with abundant and good water quality for living. At the same time, it is also necessary to avoid the threat of water disasters, such as floods and waterlogging.
3.Observing Building Layout The layout of buildings is also an important aspect of judging Feng Shui. The location, orientation, and height difference of buildings should meet the requirements of Feng Shui. For example, buildings should avoid facing areas with heavy Sha Qi, such as roads and elevator doors; at the same time, the shape and color of buildings should also pay attention to coordination and unity with the surrounding environment. In addition, the internal layout of buildings should also follow the principles of Feng Shui, such as avoiding adjacent kitchens and bathrooms.
4.Sensing Qi and Atmosphere Qi and atmosphere are intuitive feelings for judging Feng Shui. A place with good Feng Shui usually has a harmonious, peaceful, and comfortable qi and atmosphere. Living in such an environment, people will feel happy and refreshed; on the contrary, a place with bad Feng Shui may make people feel depressed, uneasy, or even fearful. Therefore, when choosing a place to live, one can personally go to the site to feel the quality of qi and atmosphere.
5.Consulting Professionals For those who are not familiar with Feng Shui, consulting professionals is a wise choice. Feng Shui masters can judge the quality of Feng Shui in a place through professional knowledge and experience and provide corresponding suggestions and solutions. Of course, when choosing a Feng Shui master, one should also pay attention to distinguishing between true and false to avoid being deceived by some swindlers.
3.Practical Application and Misconceptions of Feng Shui
In real life, Feng Shui is widely applied in the selection and layout of residences, shops, offices, and other places. However, there are some misconceptions and issues to be aware of when applying Feng Shui:
1.Superstition and Blind Following Some people are too superstitious about Feng Shui, believing that following the advice of Feng Shui masters can change their destiny. This kind of blind following behavior may not only lead to financial losses but also affect personal mental health and interpersonal relationships. Therefore, when applying Feng Shui, one should maintain rational thinking and not rely too much on or be superstitious about it.
2.Ignoring Personal Destiny and Actual Situations Everyone’s destiny and Five Elements attributes are different, so when applying Feng Shui, it is necessary to tailor it according to personal situations. Some Feng Shui masters may ignore this and give uniform advice, which often fails to achieve the expected results. Therefore, when choosing a Feng Shui master, one should choose professionals who can develop personalized plans based on individual situations.
3.Over-adjusting and Damaging Nature When applying Feng Shui, it is important not to over-adjust the environment and damage the natural ecology. For example, actions such as cutting down a large number of trees and filling in rivers to improve Feng Shui are not advisable. These actions not only affect the ecological balance of the environment but may also bring negative Feng Shui effects. Therefore, when applying Feng Shui, reasonable adjustments should be made on the premise of respecting nature. Feng Shui is a complex and profound discipline, involving nature, humanities, history, and many other aspects. When understanding and applying Feng Shui, one needs to maintain rational thinking, not blindly follow or be superstitious; at the same time, adjustments and layouts should be tailored according to personal situations and actual circumstances. Only in this way can the positive role of Feng Shui be fully played, bringing good luck and happiness to our lives.
