Often linked with Chinese Architecture, Feng Shui (literally translated as "Wind Water") is an ancient Chinese system that uses magnetism to harness the laws of heaven and earth, to receive positive energy flow ("Qi"- pronounce like our professors last name) in a dwelling space.
Since the discovery of the Chinese compass; which points South instead of North, an instrument called the Luopan (as shown in the picture) is used still today to discover areas of health and prosperity in the home. The Luopan is made up of a magnetic compass with 24 markings separated at about 15 degrees which sits in the center of a circular plate made of either wood or metal. This circular plate is called the heaven plate and has 40 concentric rings that freely rotate on a square wooden base called the earth plate. This instrument is actually an earthly image of the cosmos and is used to assign proper positions in time and space.
The lost art of Feng Shui is making a reappearance in the highly superstitious Western cultures of the Americas and is practiced by many celebrities and commoners that wish to achieve celestial balance. One can use the Luopan to discover directions that will bring auspiciousness to the home and also reveal areas of the home that would bring bad Qi as well. These directions often change as the earth rotates around the stars which changes the orientation of the Luopan for that time.
In architecture many homes are placed facing South, if space permits because of the south facing compass. This allows for optimal sunlight in all seasons. Many also believe that placing dwellings near water is very beneficial since it is the element that bears life. Water is believed to carry positive qi in and take negative qi away. Placing gold in certain positions of the home is believed to bring prosperity and even the direction of your work desk and bed influence learning and health.
I do believe in the thought of celestial energy and balance and how Feng Shui is most in tune with the harnessing of this energy. It seems that these days unpracticed, self-learning, energy shamans (as shown in the picture) are trying to charge others sums of money to incorrectly tell them the traditions used in ancient China. Many believe that some of the teachings have been lost in translation yet others still do practice this ancient geomancy the correct way.
by Aaron Chow_3rdyr.
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