Originating in China almost 6,000 years ago, Feng Shui literally means “wind” (Feng) and “water” (Shui).
It is an ancient method of constructing and optimizing residences and businesses to bring about happiness, abundance, and harmony. It includes architecture, urban planning, interior design, and garden design. Feng Shui involves the placement of objects in relation to the flow of Qi (Chi, 氣) “natural energy”. It also involves the layout, framework, materials, and colors of building structures. These guidelines allow us to make the most ideal arrangement in any given situation.
The term Feng Shui literally translates to "wind-water" in English. The wind moving over the water is said to be perfect Feng Shui. It is one of the Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics, classified as physiognomy (observation of appearances through formulas and calculations). Feng Shui discusses architecture in allegorical terms of "invisible forces" that bind the universe, earth, and humanity together, known as Chi (Qi).
HISTORY OF FENG SHUI
Historically, Feng Shui was used to orient buildings in an auspicious manner. Depending on the particular school of Feng Shui being used, an auspicious site could be determined by reference to local features such as bodies of water, stars, or a compass.
Feng Shui was suppressed in mainland China during the state-imposed Cultural Revolution of the 1960s but has since regained popularity.
The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience states that principles of Feng Shui are "quite rational", Many of the teachings of Feng Shui are common sense. For example, if we look at the Bagua, the tool used to do Feng Shui, we see that the element of the South is Fire. If you think of southern exposure, it’s hot. The South side of your building always gets the strongest sun. The element of the North on the Bagua is Water. If you think of the north side of your building, it’s cold, and dark, just like Water. I often have to clean off the moss that grows on the handrails of my front porch, as it’s due North. More on the Bagua later.
THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF FENG SHUI (WU XING 五行)
The system of the Five Elements was used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena. It is employed in many fields of early Chinese thought, such as Feng Shui, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy, and martial arts. It is also used in Chi Gong, Tai Chi, and Acupuncture. The Five Elements are Wood (木 mù), Fire (火 huǒ), Earth (土 tǔ), Metal (金 jīn), and Water (水 shuǐ). They are the very foundation of Feng Shui and each play a very important role in creating the perfect environment.
