What is Feng Shui?

Answer 1

Feng shui (pronounced "fung shway") is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. It is environmetal science, or geoscience that study how the surrounding environments would effect the human life. It mainly focus on the study of Earth's magnetic-field (magnectic-flow or magnetic-current)and geo-structure in the relation of effects to human life. The term "qi""氣" ("energy" or "flow of energy")is most likely referring to the magnetic-current energy, and air-current energy. The literal translation is "wind and water".

Feng shui is a discrete Chinese belief system involving a mix of geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic, and astrological ideas.[1] It literally means "wind (feng) and water (shui)", and is not simply a decorating style, but a discipline with guidelines compatible with many different decorating styles. For Example; residents who live close to the power-pylon or power-station would have risks of their health because the power-lines generate the violent magnetic-flow (field).

The source of the term is purported to come from the Burial Book written by Guo Pu (郭璞) in the Jin Dynasty (晉朝). Qi (氣) rides the wind and stops when it meets the boundary of water. The ancients manipulate Qi so that it did not dissipate, and directed it so that it was retained. For this reason this art is called feng shui.

Although people aren't usually described as having good or bad feng shui themselves,[1] believers in feng shui say that certain people by force of personality or visual appearance are able to add or subtract from the feng shui of their surroundings.

Answer 2

Feng Shui has many uses: it can help you create a happy and harmonious home, an efficient, productive office, a beautiful garden or a quick house sale. It’s all in your hands! Start improving your life with some easy and practical feng shui tips: from feng shui garden tips to feng shui for real estate; from feng shui health tips to better love life feng shui tips.

Answer 3

Feng Shui is Wind & Water. The flows of energy depends on the person's year of birth, month & time. It is not a fortune telling.

Answer 4

Feng Shui is the Chinese art of design and placement of objects. Chinese believe that everything in the universe including living beings is made of energy called "chi". A basic understanding of this energy is essential to bring in harmony and prosperity in our lives.

Answer 5

A study of Qi flow?

Answer 6

The Chinese art of decorating. It's cool.

Answer 7

Feng shui (pronounced "fung shway") is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. It is environmetal science, or geoscience that study how the surrounding environments would effect the human life. It mainly focus on the study of Earth's magnetic-field (magnectic-flow or magnetic-current)and geo-structure in the relation of effects to human life. The term "qi""氣" ("energy" or "flow of energy")is most likely referring to the magnetic-current energy, and air-current energy. The literal translation is "wind and water".

Feng shui is a discrete Chinese belief system involving a mix of geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic, and astrological ideas.[1] It literally means "wind (feng) and water (shui)", and is not simply a decorating style, but a discipline with guidelines compatible with many different decorating styles. For Example; residents who live close to the power-pylon or power-station would have risks of their health because the power-lines generate the violent magnetic-flow (field).

The source of the term is purported to come from the Burial Book written by Guo Pu (郭璞) in the Jin Dynasty (晉朝). Qi (氣) rides the wind and stops when it meets the boundary of water. The ancients manipulate Qi so that it did not dissipate, and directed it so that it was retained. For this reason this art is called feng shui.

Although people aren't usually described as having good or bad feng shui themselves,[1] believers in feng shui say that certain people by force of personality or visual appearance are able to add or subtract from the feng shui of their surroundings
History
It is generally believed that Qin fire had all feng shui books burned. The most authoritative work is "Qing Nang Jing" given by Huang Shi Gong to Zhang Liang during the late Qin Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, Yang Yun Song and his disciples wrote several books that are considered the most authoritative work by all feng shui schools.

However, these books were written in cryptic language and knowledge primarily passed down through the oral tradition, but it was also believed to be intuitive and derivable from common sense and our feeling of what is natural. Eitel traces the origins of feng shui as a distinct belief system to Chu Hsi's writings and commentaries from the Song dynasty (1126-1278). Chu Hsi's thought greatly influenced Confucianism and became the foundation of feng shui. But, more broadly speaking, feng shui's roots go back to the origins of Chinese philosophy.

In the 19th century, the Chinese government regularly published almanacs containing all the charts, diagrams, and numerical data used in feng shui practice.

Early English-speaking settlers in China in the mid-19th century reportedly ran into difficulties sparked by feng shui. Much like modern landowners having problems with building codes, these settlers had trouble in construction and renovation because their proposals did not conform to feng shui principles. Further, when unwanted foreigners tried to purchase land, they would be directed to spots with topographies causing very bad feng shui.

Due to ignorance, early Western commentators on feng shui were often skeptical and derogatory. Andrew L. March. 'An Appreciation of Chinese Geomancy' in The Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 27, No. 2. (Feb., 1968), pp. 253-267. A typical one in 1885 wrote "if any one wishes to see to what a howling wilderness of erratic dogmatism the human mind can arrive, when speculation usurps the place of science, and theories are reverenced equally with facts, let him endeavour to fathom even the elementary principles of that abyss of insane vagaries, the science of Feng-Shui."[2] Others noted that, while naive as a science, it is more accurate than some Western mythologies.[3]

Some scholars have noted that the general guidelines of feng shui have been followed across times and cultures using different languages and with different justifications.


[edit] Doctrine

[edit] Qi (or Chi)
Main article: Qi
Underlying the practical guidelines of feng shui is a general theory of Nature. Nature is generally held to be a discrete entity that breathes qi (a kind of life force or spiritual energy). The details about the metaphysics of what Nature is, what qi is and does, and what breath consists of vary and conflict. It is not generally understood as physical, but it is neither meant to be metaphorical nor fictionalistic (the latter being the view that even though an entity is fictional, it is useful to talk as if it really exists).[4] It is the virtual energy and force that flows all around.

Feng shui translates into English as Wind and Water. These are the two containers for Qi. Since life exists within either air or water, qi is said to be the life energy that flows within these two environments.

The goal of feng shui guidelines is to locate and orient dwellings, possessions, land and landscaping, etc., so as to be attuned with the flow of qi. Location is considered to be of far greater significance than orientation. This is in line with modern thinking, where the 3 principles of buying a piece of property are location, location and location.


[edit] Yin and Yang
Fundamental to feng shui is the idea that two basic principles underlie all matter and energy in the universe, namely yin and yang. These forces are opposites, but are not in opposition. Rather they are complementary and need each other to exist and flourish. The constantly changing interactions of yin and yang give rise to the infinite variety of patterns in life.[5] The following table outlines the basic nature of each principle:

Yin Yang Yin Yang
North South Winter Summer
Earth Heaven Matter Spirit
Female Male Negative Positive
Dark Light Night Day
Cold Heat Wet Dry
Down Up Low High
Inner Outer Decaying Flourishing
Passive Active Receptive Creative
Soft Hard Weak Powerful
Retiring Advancing Lingering Hasty


[edit] The bagua - Directions and Elements
The bagua (or pa kua) of the Yi Ching (Book of Changes) is an octagonal diagram used in feng shui analysis. Each direction on the octagon (north, northeast, etc.) is associated with certain significant aspects. By mapping the bagua onto a home, village, cemetery, etc., information about correct orientation and placement can allegedly be gleaned.

The eight parts (directions) of the post heaven bagua are associated with the following elements:

North - water
South - fire
East - wood
West - metal
Northwest - metal
Northeast - earth
Southwest - earth
Southeast - wood
The qi coming from each direction has its own quality:

From the North the qi is nurturing and mysterious. Its symbols are the Black Tortoise,(the animal of winter), and the moon. It is linked to the element water , which is diplomatic, intuitive and compliant.

From the South the qi is invigorating and lucky. Its symbols are the Red Phoenix,(the bird of summer and good fortune), and the sun. It is linked to the element fire , which is dynamic, restless and energetic.

From the East the qi is protective, kind and competitive. Its symbols are the Green (or Gold) Dragon,(the animal of spring), and thunder. It is linked to the element wood , which is warm, generous, and seeks to grow.

From the West the qi is unpredictable and disruptive. Its symbols are the White Tiger (the animal of autumn), and the lake. It is linked to the element metal , which is unyielding, forceful and self-reliant.

In the Center lies the element earth, which is at home with all the directions, and seeks to harmonise them. The element earth is patient, stable and prudent.

Each kind of qi seeks its opposite to achieve harmony, thus the active, hot qi of the south seeks the cool qi of the north to balance itself; and the wise qi of the east seeks excitment from the qi of the west, and so on.

An example of use of the bagua is -- the stove (kitchen) should not be placed in the north part of a house, as water extinguishes fire. This is only a rule of thumb, and there are many other considerations in locating a kitchen.


[edit] Guidelines
Some general rules are:

When sitting at a desk, the entrance door should be in a clear line of sight, and you should have a view of as much of the room as possible.
When lying in bed, the entrance door should not be directly facing the soles of one's feet. In other words, the end of the bed should not be in line with the door.
Straight lines and sharp corners are to be avoided, and especially should not point where people tend to sit, stand, or sleep.
Avoid clutter.
Your stairs should never face the front door.
Roads to and from ancient towns were often curved and windy, an attempt to disorient and keep away evil spirits, who were believed to travel in straight lines.[1]
Some objects are believed to have the power of redirecting, reflecting, or shifting energy in a space. These include mirrors, crystals, windchimes, and pools of flowing or standing water.

[edit] Schools of feng shui

[edit] The Form school
Feng shui developed thousands of years ago in little villages of East Asia. It was called folk feng shui because each village had their own guidelines on how to use it. Their livelihoods were dependent on it. They studied the formations of the land and ways of the wind & water (feng shui translated means the way of Wind & Water) to determine the best sitting for their survival. Over time feng shui developed and was used by emperors to ensure their success.

The original Feng Shui Masters were hired by emperors to wage war. It is said that they had the power to manipulate the wind, water and fog to help the outcome of battles. Folklore has it that the Emperor was fearful that they would use their skills against him, so he ordered the Feng Shui Masters put to death.

Many of the feng shui Masters went into hiding in the Buddhist Monasteries in fear for their lives. Many Monks were trained in the ways of feng shui. This is why today there is a Black Hat School of Feng Shui.

This is the origin of feng shui and what is called form school feng shui. It addresses the energies of the roads, rivers, mountains and placement of structures in relationship to them. Its premises are based upon the forces of Mother Nature. Typically you will find that Form School is utilized by both the Black Hat School and the Compass school.


[edit] The Compass school
Compass School has its roots in the study of the 28 Constellations along the ecliptic of the sun. Ancient Chinese believed that everything in Heaven had a corresponding part on Earth. The 28 Constellation ring is one of the most important rings of the luopan. The 24 mountains ring is another essential ring. It is an elaboration of the Ba Gua dividing each of the eight directions into 3 parts known as Heaven Dragon, Earth Dragon and Man Dragon.

One technique employed is the use of the Local Space Chart, which was reproduced in a generic form through the use of the luopan or geomantic compass. This device helps to determine the directional alignment of buildings. True traditional Compass School has been radically changed with the advent of new systems furthering the illusions popularized by feng shui practitioners. Many are based on mistranslations of ancient texts and concepts. One such misnomer is the reference to the five Chinese elements. Wood, fire, earth, metal and water are not really elements. They are stages of matter. Ancient teachings called them thus and added two more qualities; heat and energy. This knowledge was simplified for use by the common people. However, today's cultures require more details and specificity in order to be used to full potential.

There are two primary forms of feng shui that utilizes the luopan. The first is called the East and West Group method or 8 House (8 Mansion) method. This method examines the directional influence on the people and the building to determine how and where best to align oneself within the building.

A second application is to use the luopan to find the orientation, combined with a time aspect creates a detailed chart of the qi within the building. This method is also known as Xuan Kong feng shui. Xuan Kong is also called the Time and Space method. It is concerned with looking at the qi within the building and mapping the floorplan to determine the auspicious and inauspicious areas. Utilizing the five Chinese elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water, feng shui practitioners can create a balance within the qi, similar to needles correcting the qi in accupuncture.


[edit] The Black Sect school
Black Sect is a recent development of feng shui in the West, led by Grandmaster Thomas Lin Yun Rinpoche. It is sometimes called Black Hat Sect Tantric Buddhist. Black Sect feng shui relies less on directional energies, horoscopes, and astrology, and instead focuses on the internal orientation and organization of the space. For instance, the Black Sect always orients the bagua in line with the space's entrance, rather than northwards.[6]

Some in the West prefer Black Sect feng shui, preferring to dispense with the astrological aspects of feng shui and focusing greater emphasis on its psychological benefits. Traditional Chinese feng shui schools do not officially recognize the Black Hat Sect due to its failure to adhere to previously set principles.


[edit] Flying Star school
Flying Star school is the traditional Chinese feng shui and is based on numerology, a spiritual science, based upon the expansion of the inner eye to perceive the spiritual essence of space, time, and form. The spiritual aspect of the universe is communicated through the 'logos,' the alphabet, the word and number. A word can be calculated into its number counterpart and provide the numerical occulted'spiritual language' of the universe.

Further, there are certain numbers, names, and words, wherein the numbers of the letters add up to particular numbers that open the "spiritual," opportunity of a person and a space, location, or address, wherein a compounded flow of spiritual essence makes connection with the inner eye to see differently, and to be able to begin to re-interpret meaning into more positive energy.

This spiritual energy, or spiritual essence, begins assisting the opening of the inner eye to see space and time at a higher level of harmony and cooperation.

Doing a numerology on a person's name, and the address of a location of a residence that are the same, will provide the cooperation and harmony for that person, according to what the spiritual or higher level of being calls that harmony to become.

Each letter of a name is converted to a number and is symbolic of a 9-year period of experience. The second sequential letter converted to a number and/or number is the second 9-year experience.

The previous letter conversion to number is to also be added to each letter/number, for each 9-year period for a cumulative number and experience.

To prove the significance of this occulted spiritual science, and the highest positive consciousness meaning, would be to use positive words to express the experience and those words, reduced to their numerical counterpart and matching the number of the name and space/location, will verify and authenticate this universal spiritual science of essence and experience.

This procedure requires the experience of one who has been given through name, or birthdate, or a time/space conjunction in their own name numbers and birth numbers the required practice and experience of the use of this process.

The applications of converting alphabet name or word into its numerical couterpart are many. They are used by those of purity of mind, spirit, body, and intention.


[edit] Classical feng shui
Classical feng shui or Xuan Kung feng shui, as practiced in Asia and in the west today, is an amalgam of all of the traditional aspects of feng shui. This includes form school, compass school and flying star feng shui.


[edit] Use in burials
The effect of proper feng shui on the living is thought to carry over to the afterlife. In traditional feng shui belief, the feng shui of cemeteries affects the state of the dead spirits and, indirectly, their living descendants. Spirits of the buried were believed to remain at their gravesites or by the homes of their kin, and just as bad feng shui harms relaxation and ease of mind among the living, the spirits of people buried with bad feng shui will be anxious and restless, and therefore more likely to trouble the living. This reasoning led to careful feng shui planning of cemeteries.[1] Conversely, desecrating the feng shui of the grave of an enemy's ancestor was thought to be a powerful weapon.[7]

The straight lines and sharp corners should not point at a gravesite or at the cemetery generally, a smooth or gradual landscape is preferable to rocky or otherwise sharp terrain. Waterways should be visible from the gravesite, but not loose rocks or boulders, which can be hidden by trees or bamboo.

The use of early forms of feng shui or geomancy in picking burial sites can be traced back at least to The Book of Burial (c. 300 CE), written by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty.[8]


[edit] Skepticism
Many Westerners are quick to dismiss feng shui as superstition. Eitel calls it "a conglomeration of rough guesses at nature, sublimated by fanciful play with puerile diagrams."[7]

More recently, the high consultancy fees charged by feng shui masters have raised eyebrows. This has led to accusations of fraud, and practitioners being called cult members or snake oil salesmen.


[edit] Use in the West
In recent decades many feng shui books have been published in English, often focusing on interior design, architecture, interior decorating, and landscape design. Audiences have reacted skeptically towards the purported benefits of crystals, wind chimes, table fountains, and mirrored balls, etc., on one's life, finances, and relationships. Often, these claims are dismissed as New Age, pseudoscience, relying on the placebo effect, or even outright fraud.

Others reject feng shui's justifications for its rules (movement of various energies, etc.), but believe that some of its more practical rules (such as not working with one's back to a door) are very useful.

It is unclear what relationship these Western interpretations of feng shui have to the Eastern tradition. Many traditional feng shui practitioners in Asia regard Western adaptations as inauthentic.

The Los Angeles Times reported that News Corp., Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Hewlett-Packard and Ford Motors are also using feng shui.[citation needed]