What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is a traditional Chinese study that explores the relationship between the environment and human activities. It advocates that by adjusting the layout, orientation, and the flow of "Qi" (a kind of vital energy) in natural and artificial spaces, one can achieve the goals of seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster, as well as harmonious coexistence. Its core concepts originate from the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements in the Book of Changes, integrating astronomical, geographical, ecological, and philosophical ideas, and are widely applied in fields such as architecture, home decoration, and urban planning.

1. Core Theories
   · The Flow of Qi:
   Feng Shui holds that "Qi" is the cosmic energy that flows through the environment. Smooth-flowing "Qi" brings health, wealth, and good luck, while blocked "Qi" leads to decline.
   Example: When a road directly faces the main door (known as "malevolent Qi"), it can be resolved by using a screen or green plants.
   · Yin-Yang Balance:
   Spaces need to balance the energies of Yin (quiet, dark, cold) and Yang (active, bright, warm). For example, the living room should be bright (Yang), and the bedroom should be soft (Yin).
   · Generation and Restriction of the Five Elements:
   Adjust the environmental energy through the attributes of the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) such as orientation, color, and material.
   Example: The kitchen belongs to the Fire element. To avoid excessive Fire energy (too much red color), elements of the Earth element (yellow or brown tiles) can be added to subdue the Fire.
   · Situation and Qi Theory:
   o Situation School: Focuses on the terrain and landforms (for example, being surrounded by mountains and water is considered auspicious).
   o Qi Theory School: Combines time and orientation to calculate auspiciousness and inauspiciousness (such as the Flying Stars of the Nine Palaces and using a compass for positioning).
2. Practical Applications
   Home Feng Shui
   · Orientation and Layout:
   o Wealth Position: Located at the diagonal position of the main door (it is advisable to place items that attract wealth, such as green plants and safes).
   o Bedroom: The bed should not face a mirror, and there should be no beams pressing above the bed. The head of the bed should lean against a solid wall to ensure a stable "backing".
   · Common Taboos and Solutions:
   o Through-Hallway Malevolent Qi: When the main door directly faces a window (causing the Qi to disperse and wealth to be lost) → Set up a porch or a screen.
   o Sharp Corner Malevolent Qi: When the sharp corners of furniture face the bed → Use furniture with rounded corners or green plants to block it.
   Business and Architecture
   · Site Selection: Prefer places with mountains at the back and water in the front (where the Qi is well-concealed and concentrated), just like many ancient imperial cities were built near mountains and water.
   · Store Layout: The cash register should avoid being directly faced by the main door, and the shelves should be arranged in a circuitous route to gather popularity.
   · Modern Applications: The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong (its blade-shaped design resolves the surrounding "malevolent Qi"), and the encircling layout of the "Three Financial Giants" in Lujiazui, Shanghai.
3. Feng Shui Tools
   · The Compass: Used for positioning orientations and measuring the flow of Qi, combining the Twenty-Four Mountains and the Eight Trigrams.
   · The Bagua Mirror: Reflects negative energy and resolves external malevolent Qi.
   · Five Elements Talismans/Ornaments: Such as crystals (Water element), copper coins (Metal element), and wood carvings (Wood element) are used to adjust the local Qi flow.