I. The Connotation and Schools of Feng Shui
Feng shui is an important branch of Yi studies and is closely connected to the Yi Li and Yi Yong of the I Ching, falling under the category of Yi Yong, which refers to applications in daily life. Within the five major fields of metaphysics—mountain, medicine, destiny, physiognomy, and divination—feng shui holds a pivotal position in the physiognomy sector, focusing on the art of examining residences. It involves meticulous observation and analysis of residential environments to achieve an ideal state of harmony between humans and their surroundings.
Feng shui is primarily divided into two major schools: the Form School (also known as the Landscape School) and the Compass School. The Form School emphasizes observing the morphological characteristics of geographical environments, such as the direction of mountain ranges and the flow of rivers. By studying the layout and form of these natural elements, it assesses their impact on residential feng shui. In contrast, the Compass School focuses more on the influence of celestial bodies on the Earth’s magnetic and energy fields. It analyzes the potential effects on residential feng shui by observing the patterns of celestial movements. These two schools complement each other, with one focusing on internal aspects and the other on external, and one on yin while the other on yang, together forming a comprehensive system of feng shui that provides people with all-encompassing methods for analyzing and adjusting feng shui.
II. The Importance of Yang House Feng Shui
In feng shui, residential feng shui is categorized into two types: Yin houses and Yang houses. Yin houses refer to the feng shui of ancestral graves, while Yang houses pertain to our everyday living environments. Despite many claims that Yin house feng shui has a greater impact on us, Yang house feng shui is equally significant and influential in our lives.
Throughout our lives, we are inseparable from our homes. As the saying goes, “A stable home leads to a successful career and a life of happiness.” A house is not only a place for us to live, work, raise children, and enjoy leisure activities but also a vessel for our aspirations for a better life. The quality of Yang house feng shui directly affects various aspects of our lives, including financial fortune, health, interpersonal relationships, marital and romantic connections, and parent-child relationships. A well-designed Yang house feng shui environment can create a harmonious, comfortable, and positive living space, allowing us to better develop our careers, savor life, nurture relationships, and raise our children.
III. Feng Shui Layout of Home Spaces
Different areas within a home, such as bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, balconies, studies, and bathrooms, each have their unique feng shui considerations. For instance, the arrangement of water outlets in the kitchen can directly influence conflicts among family members; properly placed crafts in the study can effectively enhance our fortune in attracting beneficial influences; and placing suitable plants in specific locations on the balcony can increase our financial luck. By acquiring some basic knowledge of feng shui and making reasonable adjustments to the layout of home spaces, we can enable everyday necessities to fulfill their intended feng shui functions, bringing numerous positive impacts to our lives.
IV. The Impact of Objects on Feng Shui
The influence of feng shui on our lives is not as complex as we might think. Each space in our home has its own unique feng shui considerations, and every object in our daily lives possesses its own feng shui properties. Sometimes, it is just the common objects around us that subtly affect our lives. For example, a cactus placed improperly in the bedroom may lead to poor sleep quality and frequent arguments between spouses; an incorrectly positioned craft in the study might impact a child’s learning efficiency; a television placed in the wrong spot in the living room could either be the main culprit affecting our financial luck or, conversely, bring us good fortune. Therefore, understanding the feng shui attributes of objects and placing them in appropriate locations is crucial for improving the feng shui environment of our homes.
V. Methods for Judging the Quality of Feng Shui Environments
To determine whether the feng shui environment we are in is good or bad, we can start from the following aspects:
1. Investigate the Previous Family’s Situation : If moving into a second-hand residence, we can conduct a simple investigation into the previous occupants’ work status, health conditions, and family harmony. This information can provide an initial assessment of the residence’s feng shui quality.
2. Compare Changes Before and After Moving In : For a newly occupied residence, we can compare our life before and after moving in. Observe whether there has been an improvement in family members’ health, a more harmonious family atmosphere, advancements in one’s career or a child’s studies, and a reduction in unexpected incidents. This comparison can help determine if there are any issues with the new home’s feng shui.
3. Sense the Atmosphere of the Space : When we are sensitive to spaces, if we enter a particular area and quickly experience discomfort, such as headaches or nausea, or feel an urge to leave immediately, it is likely that our own biological structure is rejecting the space. This indicates that we are in an unfavorable feng shui environment.
VI. Sharing Feng Shui Tips
1. Selection and Placement of Decorative Items : When choosing decorative items, avoid bringing home objects with peculiar shapes or negative meanings, such as masks with fierce expressions, as they may adversely affect our luck. In the bedroom, consider placing items with positive symbolism like “Luan Feng He Ming” (phoenixes in harmony) or “Bi Yi Shuang Fei” (birds flying together), which can enhance marital affection. In the study, arrange items related to learning, such as the Four Treasures of the Study, in the correct positions to help improve children’s study efficiency.
2. Placement of Plants : Keeping auspicious plants like lucky bamboo and money trees in the office can lead to smoother work and increase the chances of encountering benefactors. However, be mindful of where you place these plants to avoid obstructing work or daily life activities.
By studying feng shui, we can better understand our surroundings, identify, and resolve potential feng shui issues, thereby creating a more harmonious and beautiful living space. Feng shui is not just an academic discipline; it is also a form of life wisdom. It teaches us how to coexist harmoniously with nature and how to skillfully use various elements in our daily lives to enhance our quality of life and fortune. I hope everyone can apply what they’ve learned and let feng shui bring more beauty and surprises to our lives.
