Feng Shui — What’s It All About?
Posted by Master of the Universe on Jun 29, 2008
Traditionally feng shui is a form of architectural planning that uses space, weather, astronomy, and geomagnetism as basic components to determine the best layout for a room while allowing its user to find the possible harmony within that area. Advocates argue that feng shui can even be prosecuted to affect one’s health, wealth, and personal relationships.
The aim of feng shui is to figure out the ideal spot of good “qi”, which are a location and an axis in time. It is believed that some areas are not suitable for human settlement and should be left in their natural state according to the feng shui guidelines.
According to feng shui, “qi” is the “flow of energy”. Ancient feng shui beliefs that the heavens influence life on Earth and should be respected. Yin and Yang is a method for the living (yang) to coexist with the dead (yin) in peace.
An often-misinterpreted term in feng shui is that of “schools”; which actually refers to a technique that may include one or more of the following:
Bagua (relationship of the five phases or wuxing)
Five phases (wuxing relationships)
Xuan Kong (time and space methods)
Xuan Kong Fei Xing (Flying Stars methods of time and directions)
Xuan Kong Da Gua (”Secret Decree” or 64 gua relationships)
Xuan Kong Shui Fa (time and space water methods)
Zi Bai (Purple-White Flying Stars methods)
Ba Zhai (Eight Houses or Eight Mansions)
San Yuan Dragon Gate Eight Formation
Major & Minor Wandering Stars
San He Luan Dou (24 Mountains, Mountain-Water relationships)
San He Shui Fa (water methods)
Qimen Dunjia (Eight Doors and Nine Stars methods)
Ziwei Dou Shu (Purple King, 24-star astrology)
Feng shui has become more and more popular in the field of interior design in recent years when West launches their search for a clearer balance in their hectic lives. Its simplicity can evoke such peacefulness within a space that pure design techniques lack. Whether you believe in the concept of feng shui or not is inappropriate when designing a space, since few can discount the feelings of peace and harmony it can evoke within a believer’s space.
Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for SiteKing.NET, HabitatRepair.com, and InsidePlanning.com.