Chinese Feng Shui

Chinese Feng Shui 風水 is an ancient Chinese philosophy of understanding the energy that surrounds us and it deals with using positive 'chi' 氣 or energy to improve a person's good fortune and success. In the Chinese language each character can be translated and interpreted differently.

Feng Shui (pronounced as Fung Shwey) is translated as "the way of wind and water" or "the natural forces of the universe." According to Feng Shui these natural forces influence everything in the world. The ancient Chinese lead their lives according to these natural forces. Thousands of years ago the Chinese used the principles of Feng Shui to construct building. As the land was such that it was prone to strong mountain winds and the plains were prone to flooding, before construction wind and water considerations had to be made. Therefore the name, wind and water.

In Europe a similar science was known as geomancy. Native Americans and Hawaiians have their own form of this science. We are oblivious of the fact that we are being affected by different energies everyday. These energies or electromagnetic fields we can neither see nor feel. Without even being conscious we are ourselves creating everything that affects our lives. Using the principles of Feng Shui, we can control our actions and our lives and attain our goals. You can notice the science of Feng Shui in everything we see and touch everyday. Feng Shui uses the Ba-qua chart or eight-sided shape that is associated with the eight aspects of life: prosperity, relationships, helpful people, new knowledge, family, children and career. Feng Shui was introduced to the Americans during the California gold rush in the 1840s, when people from all over the world including China, came to America seeking wealth. Today America is using a simple Western version of Feng Shui.

Feng Shui manipulates 'chi' by evaluating natural and artificial environments. 'Chi' is the dragon's celestial breath and the ancient Chinese used this word to name the life force that governs our world. 'Chi' brings happiness, prosperity, luck and long life. Though chi is present everywhere, it is concentrated in some areas which are very sacred in Feng Shui. Feng Shui looks for areas where 'chi' is concentrated so that there is a lot of happiness, luck, prosperity etc. Ancient Chinese classified 'chi' is classified into five types or elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Feng Shui studies the distribution of 'chi' and the quality of 'chi' is determined by time, position and location. Feng Shui also guides you on how to place objects so that it brings harmony in to the environment.