Feng Shui, also known as Geomancy, is an important philosophical discipline in traditional Chinese culture. It primarily studies the relationship between human habitation spaces and the natural environment, as well as the impact of human living environments on human life and destiny. In traditional Chinese culture, Feng Shui has long been regarded as a guide to fortune and misfortune, widely applied in aspects such as site selection, architectural design, construction engineering, urban planning, and fortune-telling. The core theory of Feng Shui is based on the interrelationship among heaven, earth, and humans, utilizing auspicious symbols and layouts to adjust the Feng Shui of the environment, aiming to improve people's lives and destinies. In traditional Chinese culture, Feng Shui is a profound philosophical system rather than mere mystical belief. The history of Feng Shui can be traced back to ancient China, where early observations of natural environmental changes and their impact on human behavior led to the development of various Feng Shui-related theories. With the passage of time and the development of society, Feng Shui gradually evolved into a profound discipline, exerting significant influence on both traditional Chinese culture and modern society. The basic principle of Feng Shui revolves around the interrelationship among heaven, earth, and humans. According to Feng Shui theory, the relationship between these three factors directly affects human happiness, prosperity, and health. Feng Shui holds that all things in nature operate between the principles of "yin and yang" and the "five elements," and human destiny and health are directly influenced by the Qi (energy) of the natural world. Through the principle of "mutual adaptation" between humans and nature, the relationship between the natural environment and human life can be adjusted to absorb natural spiritual energy and enhance one's fortune and quality of life. Additionally, Feng Shui also involves aspects such as fortune-telling for residences, burial planning, and urban planning. For example, in fortune-telling for residences, analysis of various aspects such as the direction, shape, and internal structure of the dwelling, as well as the analysis of the occupants' birth charts, can predict a person's fortune and auspiciousness. In burial planning, proper Feng Shui layout design can ensure prosperity for the deceased's tomb and future generations, while also preventing potential adverse situations. In modern society, Feng Shui has gradually become an applied discipline, widely used in fields such as architectural design, urban planning, home decoration, commercial operations, and fortune-telling. For instance, in architectural design and urban planning, Feng Shui perspectives are considered sources of inspiration and serve as important references for architects and urban planners. Similarly, Feng Shui principles are widely applied in home decoration, including room design, color coordination, and furniture layout, to improve the quality of family life. In conclusion, Feng Shui, as an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, deeply influences people's lives and destinies. In modern society, Feng Shui continues to hold significant application value, continuously impacting fields such as architectural design, decoration, urban planning, and fortune-telling.
Fengshui origin
The origin of Feng Shui can be traced back to ancient times.
"Form Method" and "Compass Method":
Chinese Feng Shui "Form Method" is mainly used for site selection and shape determination; "Compass Method" focuses on determining the orientation pattern indoors and outdoors; in addition, there is "Time Method" used for selecting auspicious dates for construction; and "Symbol and Sealing Method" for remedial measures in case of unfavorable situations arising from other methods. Feng Shui in China is divided according to its application: Yang House Feng Shui, which is concerned with the selection and layout of residences for the living; and Yin House Feng Shui, which deals with the selection and arrangement of tombs and burial sites for the deceased. Feng Shui in China also distinguishes between different types of residences such as well-located residences, wilderness residences, and valley residences, each emphasized differently in applications like "San Yuan Geography."
The "Form Method" of Chinese Feng Shui focuses on seeking dragons, observing sand, examining water, pinpointing acupoints, and determining orientation to discern auspicious locations, while the "Compass Method" emphasizes theories of yin-yang, the five elements, heavenly stems and earthly branches, bagua, and nine palaces. Moreover, a set of sophisticated tools like the Luo Pan compass is used for site selection and planning.
Regardless of the approach, whether Form or Compass Method, Feng Shui in China must adhere to three major principles: the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity; the balance of yin and yang; and the interplay of the five elements. Feng Shui theory essentially integrates various disciplines of natural science, including geophysics, hydrogeology, cosmic astrophysics, meteorology, environmental landscape studies, architecture, ecology, and human life information science. Its purpose is to carefully examine and understand the natural environment, utilize and transform nature, and create favorable living environments.
Ancient Chinese people often said: "A dwelling is like a human body: its site is its body, its springs are its blood vessels, its land is its flesh, its vegetation is its hair, its rooms are its clothes, and its doors are its headwear. If all these are in order, it is auspicious." This humanization of residences underscores the importance of proper layout for both the dwelling and its inhabitants.
Unity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity:
Feng Shui permeates every process of traditional Chinese architectural activities, from site selection and planning to construction and decoration. From the perspective of modern real estate brand planning, Feng Shui planning for modern residential areas should establish several viewpoints: the omnipresence of the Tai Chi principle, the ubiquity of atmospheric Qi, and the guidance of atmospheric Qi.
- Omnipresence of Tai Chi:
A city, a village, a courtyard, a building, a residence, a room... all embody the Tai Chi principle, differing only in scale. Whether considering the Tai Chi of individual buildings or the Tai Chi of architectural complexes, the layout of building complexes should adhere to complete Tai Chi patterns. Positions missing certain buildings should be avoided. Attention should be paid to the atmospheric effects of the Tai Chi diagram in building layout. Empty spaces within building clusters should be carefully selected, and green spaces within clusters should be positioned centrally, with architectural elements arranged accordingly. In residential design, buildings should not have missing corners, and the internal layout of each floor should avoid fragmented configurations.
- Ubiquity of Atmospheric Qi:
The five elements of Feng Shui – dragons, caves, sand, water, and orientation – are essentially manifestations of Qi. Seeking dragons, finding caves, observing sand, discovering water sources, and determining orientations all aim to discern auspicious Qi and avoid harmful Qi, directing towards auspiciousness and away from inauspiciousness. Qi exists within all things. Modern science has shown that there are Qi fields within the human body, plants, buildings, and all things. Like the force of gravity, Qi is omnipresent. While a single building may seem insignificant, when part of a group, its Qi can have significant effects.
- Guidance of Atmospheric Qi:
The Qi of Feng Shui is a unified Qi derived from the universal, earthly, regional, architectural, botanical, and human body Qi fields. Large Qi fields flow from emptiness and settle in solidity. Yang houses are often located in basin-like or semi-basin-like terrain (surrounded by mountains or bays). Such terrains, with fertile soil and abundant water, are conducive to human habitation and facilitate the absorption of large Qi fields. The nature of Qi movement is spiral, and local Qi movements at various levels are part of the universal environmental context.
Feng Shui Schools
In terms of the method of Qi manipulation, Feng Shui can generally be divided into two major schools, each with numerous branches. The school that directly employs the principles of Bagua is known as the Bagua School. It includes the Eight Mansions School, Xuan Kong Flying Stars School (which further subdivides into six major branches and over a hundred minor ones), Qimen Feng Shui, He Luo Feng Shui, Dazhanyuan Yili School, JinSuo YuGuan, and others. The school that applies the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements based on the principles of the River Map, the Luo Book, and the Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven Bagua is known as the Five Elements School. It includes the Yang Gong Feng Shui of Southern Jiangxi, the New Sanhe School, Destiny Feng Shui, and the Zheng Wuxing Feng Shui. Chinese Feng Shui has developed into multiple schools, each with its own theories. Below are detailed explanations of each:
Form School: (1) Mountain and Head School, (2) Image School, (3) Form Method School;
Qi Method School: (1) Eight Mansions School, (2) Destiny School, (3) Sanhe School, (4) Reverse Gua School, (5) Flying Stars School, (6) Five Elements School, (7) Xuan Kong Bagua School, (8) Bagua School, (9) Nine Stars Flying Dispersion School, (10) Qimen School, (11) Yang House Three Essentials School, (12) Twenty-Four Mountain Peaks School, (13) Constellation School, (14) JinSuo YuGuan School;
Destiny School: It elucidates the influence of geographical environments on individuals based on their birth time.
Chinese Feng Shui Cities
Feng Shui, in layman's terms, refers to auspicious locations where residing can bring prosperity and wealth, ensure the fortune and prominence of future generations, and lead to unparalleled prosperity and fortune. According to the record in Lu Ban's Charm, natural landscapes and landforms, when utilized for dwelling, can ward off all disasters, bring auspiciousness and prosperity to homes, and ensure prosperity and health for families.
Just as nations have their fortunes, cities have their fortunes too. The six major Feng Shui cities in China are Xinjiang's Bagua City, Kunming in Yunnan, Wenzhou in Zhejiang, Hengyang's Yancheng, Shenzhen in Guangdong, and the capital city, Beijing.
Xinjiang Yili Bagua City
The first Feng Shui city is Yili Bagua City in Xinjiang. There is a county city called Tekesi, or Bagua City, built according to the principles of Bagua, with a city park as its central hub radiating outwards. Bagua City was established in the year 1230 AD (Southern Song Dynasty) by the Daoist leader Qiu Chuji, who was invited by the Mongolian Khan Genghis Khan. Seven hundred years later, in 1992, a descendant of Qiu Chuji, also a Feng Shui master, rebuilt the city, marking an important historical milestone in the study of urban Feng Shui in China.
Kunming, with three sides embraced by lake and mountains
The second Feng Shui city is Kunming. Three sides are embraced by lakes and mountains, locking in the scenery. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, a couplet titled "Five Hundred Li Dianchi, Rushing into Sight. Opening the Clothes and Donning the Hat, Delightfully Vast and Boundless!" was written by the poet Sun Ran, describing several aspects of Kunming. The eastern side resembles a galloping divine steed, while the western side resembles a dancing bird. The northern side is like a winding serpent.
Wenzhou, with mountains resembling the Big Dipper, and the city acting as a lock
The third Feng Shui city is Wenzhou, with mountains resembling the Big Dipper, and the city acting as a lock. Wenzhou was the first city in China designed for burial by Guo Pu, who took refuge in Wenzhou during the Jin Dynasty and was invited to build a prefectural capital there. Based on the geographical features of Wenzhou, most buildings face south to capture sunlight. Wenzhou has the Ou River and the Nanxi River. Guo Pu considered both Feng Shui and geological conditions during construction because the soil on the north bank of Wenzhou is soft and unstable due to erosion by sand and stones, so the entire city was built on the south side. Wenzhou is actually a city facing south and sitting north, with the surrounding mountains forming the shape of the Big Dipper. To commemorate him, there is a mountain called Mount Xigong, which was later renamed Mount Guogong. Guo Pu not only built the city but also created 64 springs and five ponds, using five colors of water to adjust the city's structure. Wenzhou is relatively closed and built around mountains. It is said that such a design not only provides good Feng Shui but also avoids war. Indeed, during two major calamities, the first being the Fang Lang Uprising, Wenzhou was besieged for 46 days without being captured, and the enemy eventually withdrew. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, Wenzhou served as a bridgehead and base area, escaping Japanese invasion and preserving the city from destruction. Wenzhou avoided the ravages of war. Today, many of the 64 springs have disappeared, but the five ponds remain.
Hengyang, with three rivers meeting at San Dao Water Lock
The fourth Feng Shui city is Hengyang. Because mountains are in the south and water in the north, it is named "Yang." During the Tang Dynasty, the Feng Shui master Yang Junsong passed through Hengyang and was attracted by the Feng Shui situation here, so he stayed for several days and praised the excellent Feng Shui pattern of this place. The "Situation" section of the "Hengzhou Prefecture Chronicles" compiled during the Qianlong period records in detail the Feng Shui of Hengyang. The essence is as follows: The mountain that supports the city is Mount Nanyue, which extends southward, forming peaks such as the Gu Lou Peak, reaching the Huayao Mountain and then to the Huiyan Peak, forming the county seat. It leans against the Huiyan Peak, surrounded by the Xiangjiang River, and has Dongzhou Island emerging in the forefront of the river. The steam water flows into the Xiangjiang River from west to east on the north side. Next to it is the Lei River, which merges into the Xiangjiang River from east to west. Shigu Mountain is located on the left side of the prefectural capital, and when viewed across the river, it resembles a crescent moon. Its picturesque scenery makes it an excellent place for mountain and water landscape. The Xiangjiang River, Lei River, and steam water converge in the central urban area of Hengyang, hence the saying "three rivers meeting at San Dao Water Lock." At the confluence of the three rivers is the Shigu River Mountain, where a pagoda named Laiyan Pagoda was built. In fact, there
is a process in ancient Feng Shui for surveying and positioning the land. The first step is to search for dragons, the second is to locate acupuncture points, the third is to examine sand, the fourth is to inquire about water, and the fifth is to cut the appearance. It is divided into five directions, meaning that after finding the dragon veins and acupuncture points of the entire city, they must be locked, that is, the lifeblood of the city must be locked. That is to say, some pagodas and buildings are built at the location of the water mouth, and some special things are done to lock the city. Hengyang is special. Three pagodas (Laiyan Pagoda, Zhuhui Pagoda, Jielong Pagoda) respectively lock the three river mouths of Hengyang, making it one of China's most famous Feng Shui cities.
