Origins and FAQ
Origins and FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
Learn More About Feng Shui
The Origins of Feng Shui- Methodology
- How Feng Shui Can Help
- Your FAQ
The Origins of Feng Shui
Feng Shui gained popularity in China during the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties period (581-960 AD) and experienced its Golden Age between 960-1279 AD. Its popularity has fluctuated over the years in China, but it has recently gained recognition in the West.
Describing Feng Shui in just one sentence is challenging, but it remains an integral part of Chinese culture. If we were to describe what Feng Shui means, it is most commonly understood as the study of the connection between Heaven, Earth, and human beings in relation to the environment.
The first person to define the term "Feng Shui" was a scholar named Guo Pu from the Jin Dynasty (265 – 420 AD). The literal translation of "Feng Shui" is “Wind and Water.” According to Guo Pu, “the wind will disperse the Qi, and the water will contain it.” The goal is to keep the Qi flowing yet contained, which is why the name Feng Shui was chosen.
The term “Qi” does not represent some magical energy but rather refers to the concept of Qi as “matter and its potential to become while remaining in its material state.” In other words, it is the most subtle and refined aspect of form.
Feng Shui also represents a process of managing the human environment with a human at its centre. Space and time play a role as Heaven Qi and Earth Qi, but always in relation to Human Qi, the surrounding environment, and their mutual interactions to bring balance and harmony. As a result, it supports different aspects of human life by finding Feng Shui solutions.
The original principles of traditional Feng Shui still apply and work effectively in our modern society, including in modern buildings and our current environment.
European College of Feng Shui
If you're interested in more details about the European College of Feng Shui, you can explore their website.
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Methodology
Feng Shui is a living tradition that blends art and science. It is based on observations and calculations. There are different schools of Feng Shui, with the two major ones being Xing Shi (Form School) and Li Qi (Principle or Compass School). Xing Shi focuses on the principle, while Li Qi focuses on the function. By combining both, we can understand the Feng Shui of a situation. Xing Shi looks at physical and tangible aspects, while Li Qi deals with non-physical and intangible factors affecting a site or dwelling.
Our Practice
In our practice, we use the Form School along with two methods from the Li Qi School:
- Bazhai Ming Jing (The Bright Mirror of Eight Houses) - This method uses the sitting position to determine the spatial orientation of a dwelling. It works with 8 trigrams and 8 directions to establish spatial orientations and changes.
- Feixing (Flying Stars) - This method uses the facing position to determine the orientation of a dwelling. It involves time cycles—3 cycles and 9 periods—and changes over time by correlating to the movement of the stars and seasonal changes.
Feng Shui considers both the external and internal environments, bringing them into harmony with humans to support and enhance the auspicious aspects of the environment. This is achieved through the San Cai methodology.
Ref: San Cai model by Howard Choy.
Methodology of Feng Shui
The methodology of Feng Shui is based on the San Cai principles, which consist of three aspects:
- Heaven Qi - Focuses on formless and intangible Qi, such as sunlight, shade, cold wind, weather patterns, and seasonal changes.
- Earth Qi - Focuses on the physical components of the external and internal environment, such as topography, location, and interior decorations, and how they can influence or benefit humans.
- Human Qi - Focuses on humans and their needs, behaviors, personalities, motivations, and longings, bringing all three aspects into balance.
Answering Some of your FAQ
You never know. However, Feng Shui is not a magic. Otherwise all of the Feng Shui consultants would already be millionaires! It can guide you on your path to success, support you in bad times and encourage the good times but it cannot do the job for you. It is here to help you on your way.
Feng Shui is not a medicine neither a diagnostic technique. However it can help to create an environment to support recovery and prevention.
Regardless the size of the task, place big or small, for residential projects or businesses of all sizes, Feng Shui principles apply all over the world in our modern society.