This article gives an overview of the underlying theories, principals and history of Feng Shui. It highlights the controversies over what’s seen as a simplified version of Feng Shui, but seeks to include some popular methods to enable positive energy to flow into your life.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese holistic system utilizing the basic principles of the Universe. The aim is to facilitate the movement of Ch’i or cosmic energy around your environment. Free flowing ch’i ensures the creation and maintenance of harmony and balance. Contrary to popular belief, practicing proper Feng Shui goes far deeper than the placement of wind chimes, clearing clutter or keeping the toilet seat down, but literally translated it does mean ‘Wind and Water’!
Modern Day Practice
Many large businesses, including Virgin Airways, Microsoft, and major financial institutions, have used the services of a qualified Feng Shui consultant to improve their position and harmony within the business world. The complex nature of Feng Shui (Fung Shway) has stimulated the development of many disciplines or schools of thought. Most agree on the fundamental principles, but disapprove of the popular “New Age” or “Hippy” system introduced to the West by the Black Hat sect in the 1970’s. This has fuelled fierce debate. Other disciplines, such as Xuan Kong or Pa Chai, argue that Feng Shui has been reduced to purchasing a “few wind chimes” without considering why. The Black Hat schools are very popular in America and rely heavily on the intuition of the practitioner.
Naturally, I understand that some of you are “champing at the bit” to get started on “feng shuing” your abode, but it’s important to your future health and wellbeing to discover the underlying theories first. This will enable you to approach your surroundings with greater appreciation of the beneficial and opposing forces involved.
Philosophy of Feng Shui
Feng Shui is rooted in the Taoist philosophy which states that everything is “the Tao” or “the Way”. There are two fundamental concepts:
Ch’i or Qui - the “Divine Breath”, “Breath of the Contented Dragon” - “Prana” in India, Ki in Japan and “Spiritus” in Roman Catholicism
Yin and Yang - representing perfect balance
Ch’i:
The Universal life force, the flow of which connects everything we can know both materially and spiritually. Every person, creature, plant, rock, environment, event and activity involves the flow of cosmic energy. For the skeptics there is now a wealth of scientific research to reinforce claims that environmental factors: color, sound, image, light, plants etc. have a positive or negative effect upon our wellbeing. Ch’i not allowed to flow freely becomes blocked and stagnant like a pond choked with debris. Eventually the vegetation and wildlife become ill and die due to lack of light and food. Similarly ch’i becoming stale in the body can make us feel tired and depressed. If left unchecked it can result in serious illness. Negative energy accumulates and results in feelings of discomfort when entering a new place. Particularly when considering a new home.
There are three types of Ch’i:
Shar Ch’i
Sha Ch’i
Sheng Ch’i
Shar Ch’i:
Negative energy connected to exposed, windswept, unprotected areas. Can also collect in neglected corners.
Sha Ch’i:
Negative energy meaning “poison arrows”: the Chinese believe that ch’i, pierced by sharp points, creates bad luck. Think of tall pointed obstacles such as lamp posts, pylons etc. Narrow corridors, straight roads pointing at the house, sharp corners or edges of buildings and waterways with acute bends. Also known as “killing Ch’i”.
Sheng Ch'i – Positive Ch’i:
To get an impression of Sheng Ch'i take a tour of your surroundings. Think in terms of light, sound, air, water etc. circulating freely. Dark, cobwebby corners and sharp points can arrest the flow of ch’i, allowing it to become stale (Shar Ch’i). Sweep away the dust, clear the clutter, banish the spiders and introduce more light. Front doors opening directly onto stairs draws the energy straight up without a chance to circulate below (Sha Ch’i). Hang a round or oval mirror on the wall opposite the first door leading to the ground floor. Make sure the reflection doesn’t cut the heads off tall people. These remedies will re-direct the flow of ch’i (Some experts are now saying that mirrors have no place in Feng Shui, others say they represent water, but I have found this method effective, so it’s up to you). If you have a straight road or other “poison arrows” directed at your front door, place a light outside or hang a wind chime. Light and sound are powerful mediums in warding off bad ch’i.
Yin/Yang:
The Tao recognizes these cosmic principles as complementary aspects of universal energy. Constantly in flux, the concept of balance and harmony symbolized by Yin and Yang is intrinsic to everything, and central to the principle of Feng Shui. To promote health and wellbeing, Yin and Yang must be in balance to enable good Ch’i.
Yang:
The heavenly active force is seen as nature in straight lines and robust structures e.g. tall trees, mountains, straight roads, solid buildings. A positive force often referred to as masculine and is connected to: sun, summer, south, light, heat, day, dry, the color red etc.
Yin:
In contrast Yin, the creative, passive force is seen as nature in softer lines e.g. rounded bushes, winding streams. Yin is feminine and is related to: earth, winter, north, dark, cold, night, wet, shadows etc.
History of Feng Shui
Over three thousand years ago, ancient sages studied the landscape, hills, water, valleys and compass directions to discover the most auspicious sites for the graves of their venerable ancestors. It was then extended to the favorable planting of crops and positioning of houses. Naturally, the most favored sites were in areas of “gentle winds and smooth waters”, as opposed to harsh, stormy areas containing smelly, stagnant pools and ugly, misshapen rocks. Mathematical symbols were important and the original system of Feng Shui was based upon complex formulae.
I-Ching and Trigrams
The development of the eight trigrams is attributed to Fu Hsi, a Chinese emperor, said to have found the markings on a tortoise shell around 3000 BC. The trigram symbol is a way of expressing the various combinations of Yin and Yang forces and their respective associations. Yang is depicted as a complete straight line and Yin is a straight line broken in the middle. These are arranged in three lines combining to make a hexagram:
The Top Line - represents the duality of heaven and creation (earth).
The Middle Line - represents heaven and creation coming together to create the four seasons and the cardinal points of the compass.
The Bottom Line - represents the elements and people.
The eight trigrams are the root of the Chinese “Book of Changes” or I-Ching and combine to make sixty-four hexagrams each comprising multiple meanings, connotations and symbols. This first eight-sided arrangement was known as the “former heaven sequence” and is only used today for the siting of graveyards and holy places. Later, around 1000 BC, the trigram arrangement was transformed by King Wen, a philosopher and founder of the Chou dynasty, into the “later heaven sequence” known as Pa Kua or Ba Gua.
Pa Kua or Ba Gua
An octagonal symbol corresponding to the four cardinal and secondary directions of the compass. The middle is known as Tai-Chi and represents the Earth. Each of the nine divisions is called a “Gua” and each is represented by a trigram. Which in turn depicts other attributes including: seasons, elements, colors, parts of the body etc. In correct positioning they support each other, but poorly placed they can have the capacity to nullify or destroy each other. This is particularly true with the interaction of the elements.
The Five Elements or Wu Hsing
Everything in nature - the seasons, compass directions, colors, times, planets, parts of the body - can be classified according to the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Most oriental wisdom, medicine and philosophy is based on the theory of the Five Aspects. When they are in harmony each supports and strengthens the other, but imbalances can be destructive and harmful leading to chaos and conflict.
Earth: helps Metal, helped by Fire, harms Water, harmed by Wood
Fire: helps Earth, helped by Wood, harms Metal, harmed by Water
Water: helps Wood, helped by Metal, harms Fire, harmed by Earth
Metal: helps Water, helped by Earth, harms Wood, harmed by Fire
Wood: helps Fire, helped by Water, harms Earth, harmed by Metal
When the Five Elements are in harmony, balance and unity – each Element supports the next in a perpetual cycle. To ensure good Ch’i it’s vital to understand this. If you have too much wood or plants in an area meant for metal then there is bound to be problems with the flow of ch’i in that room.
At the risk of annoying the traditionalists I have included some suggestions for you to start energizing your home. You will need to discover your compass points first (see “Compass Directions”).
Elements and Enrichments
Wood:
Associated with the East and South-East. The first element, ushering in new life, the creator of the five-element cycle. Wooden furniture is believed to be beneficial but it’s dead with little ch’i left. It can still be used providing there are no lingering negative energies from previous owners. So don’t make your bed from wood originally used for executions! Live plants are acceptable providing you keep them well fed and watered.
South-East: Fortunate Blessings/Wealth
Round, wooden tables are especially helpful (remember the “poison arrows” of sharp corners). Broad-leaved bushy plants such as a money plant or Chinese Jade are perfect. Avoid spikier-leaved vegetation. The suggested color for accessories is green, and being an area of Greater Yang, the brighter the better but not too much, try the odd cushion or lampshade. One or two green candles are fine, wood and fire are harmonious. A bowl of small orange fruits symbolize gold coins. The Chinese believe fish symbolize money and tend to keep eight gold fish and one black one. Apparently the black one absorbs all the bad luck. No good for animal lovers then. Remember to keep the water bubbling and sparkling. Avoid too much metal; “wood is not helped by metal” - some small gold objects are acceptable though.
East: Parents/Elders/Ancestors
Definitely the place for pictures of venerable ancestors. Inherited wooden pieces are perfect providing they don’t harbor any negative energy. This is an area of teachers so it should be ideal for studying. The color used is green/brown so plants are great. Again think about accessories in these shades.
Fire – South – Illumination, Recognition, Fame
Fire is the most Yang of the elements, so bright colors are very good here especially red. According to Andy Warhol everyone gets their fifteen minutes of fame. By energizing this area you could achieve yours. Open fireplaces especially with logs on display are great. Fire can also be represented by bright lights and sun motifs. Crystals can be used but sparingly, they represent water and “water destroys fire”, so that crystal chandelier is out. The Red Phoenix is associated with this area, so if you are lucky enough to find one, and keep him in a cage, go ahead!
Earth – Center – South West – North East
Earth appearing in the center creates equilibrium with the other four elements. You should look at everything that is made of the earth not just soil and think of combinations. If you have a very large house and it’s possible to energize the center, then a terracotta pot full of yellow flowers, or a statue are possible suggestions.
Earth - South West – Marital Happiness – Romance
The classicists will be frowning now but I’ve included it for two reasons: one – I’ve had great success in energizing this particular area of my life, and two – what’s wrong with a little romance anyway? So the information is here if you want to try it. If you are searching for a soul mate then introduce representations of couples. Singles often fall into the trap of having pictures showing single sex subjects only: men may have pictures of scantily clad women (artistic or otherwise), or men driving cars, motorbikes etc. Women, especially young ones, tend to display pictures of the latest pop star or screen idol.
I offer this as an instinct on my part and not as official Feng Shui advice, but with twelve years experience I have noticed that small alterations to include representations of couples can work. Perhaps it creates a change of mindset who knows? Anyway I digress. The colors here are pink and yellow, so think of candles in those shades. Metal objects are also acceptable. Wood is not in harmony but gemstones, terracotta, in fact anything made of earth can be used. In the bedroom, cover up TV’s and other electrical objects, at night. Keep anything representing work out of the bedroom.
The place for worship or meditation. Similar to above (without the romance), very good for solid earthy objects. Note earth does not denote the use of lots of plants but one or two in heavy terracotta pots are perfect.
Also suitable for those personal development tapes that you’ve been meaning to listen to.
Metal – West – Luck of Children, Creativity
This element comes in many forms including gold, silver, bronze, brass etc. Metal will not be helped by wood, so keep to a minimum. If this is impossible include metal objects such as silver candlesticks. TV’s, Stereos, DVD players etc. are fine. Closet Picassos can paint here soothed by a soft-sounding metal wind chime. Great for waking up the little grey cells” as you ponder what to create. Earth strengthens the metal element so crystals, pebbles, clay pots are fine. Colors – white, gold or silver.
Metal – North West – Guides, Helpful People, Travel
This is a great area to stimulate if you are in need of friends. Or perhaps you’d like to travel more? Feature souvenirs especially gold/silver ones. Try a globe, maps or pictures of other places around the world you would like to see. Too many sunny pictures are not good because metal is not helped by fire. Use white, silver or gold colors in the accessories. A white sofa perhaps, just right for muddy paw prints!
Water – North – The Journey - Life’s Work
Water is essential to our lives and is a very powerful element. Make sure it is kept clean and flowing. Never allow it to become stagnant. Stuck in a boring job or hoping for a promotion? A few alterations in this area could bring forth results. Try to limit earthy objects such as terracotta, pebbles, statues etc. - water is not helped by earth. Plants are great though. Blue/black is the associated color.
Feng Shui remedies can be used in a variety of combinations depending on whether ch’i is being stimulated, slowed down or deflected. If you don’t feel comfortable with a cure try something else, it has to feel right.
Compass Directions
The Chinese South is shown at the top of the Ba Gua, a mite confusing to us poor mortals in the West. Ignore this because north is still magnetic north wherever you live. Traditional Feng Shui consultants use a Luo Pan (Chinese compass) but ensuring accuracy is more important:
Hold compass at navel level
Remove metal objects including belts, bracelets, watches etc.
Adjust your compass until the red needle aligns with North
Always use a compass do not guess (even if you are an old “seadog”)
Exterior:
Stand with your back square to the property, at least 3-5 feet away. Distance yourself from large metal/electrical objects and cars. Take at least 3 readings from different areas.
Interior:
Finding the center of your home is easy if you live in a windmill or lighthouse but most modern houses have awkward L-shaped rooms. (It’s advisable to place something heavy in the corner of the missing area, such as an urn, statue or pot plant). Imagine the square is complete and stand in the center. Take your compass directions and plot them onto a diagram or plan of your property. Now refer back to the section on elements and enrichments and add these to your plan.
Congratulations, you have just completed your first Ba Gua. Before you think about rushing out to buy lots of objects, think about the elements first. Is everything in balance? Use your instinct to feel if something is right or not, and then check your Ba Gua. You may find that moving a few pieces around will “do the trick” without having to spend money. If in doubt hire a fully qualified consultant instead.
I have only been able to give you an overview here, but I hope you will enjoy letting more ch’i into your life and pursuing the subject further. For example exploring the intricacies of the Lo Shu Magic Square and discovering your lucky number!