What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese philosophy, which believes that the positioning and physical characteristics of a home affect the fortunes of the owner.
By A.R. Hari
Fengshui is a Chinese version of Vaastu. The word fengshui which is normally pronounced as 'Foong' means 'Wind' and 'Shui' is pronounced as 'Shway' and means 'Water.'
Fengshui is reportedly 4000 years old. Some historians believe that it was born in 600 A.D. Originally it was practiced by the Emperors and members of the Royal Families. It was also held in great secret. Slowly the knowledge spread out and today fengshui is widely practiced in Hongkong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia and to a lesser extent in the Europe and USA.
There are two schools in fengshui one is called the Compass School and the other is called the Farm School. The Farm school is not particular about directions and is more visual in approach. The Compass school stipulates what should exist in which direction.
As per fengshui, there are three components on which universe is made of. Every living being, every plant and every object is supposed to represent one of the three. These are the Yin, Yang and Chi. Yang is male in nature where as Yin is female in nature. Basically Yin and Yang are two forces which are responsible in creation and sustenance of all living and non-living objects on earth. Chi is the force which is produced due to the interaction of Yin and Yang.
The understanding of Yin, Yang and Chi is essential to understand the concept of fengshui where Yin and Yang are in balance, Chi is also balanced. There is no plant, animal or object which cannot be classified under Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang interaction brings about energy, alertness, health, strength as well as sound sleep and relaxation.
Chi is dynamic force and it is Yin, Yang and Chi which dynamically balance in the whole universe. However, a landscape can alter the composition of Yin and Yang and therefore alters the quality of Chi.
Manipulating the landscape to get the best form of Chi is the science of fengshui. Fengshui believes that all the four directions should have different levels to create excellent Chi. They prefer the turtle mountains at the back, the green mountains representing the dragon on the left and the white tiger mountain on the right. The plain open land should be in front of the plot. This is supposed to be the best landscape where Chi is liberates in plenty.
Unlike vaastu, fengshui does not stipulate where your master bedroom should come and where your kitchen should come. On the other hand they believe that depending upon the various directions, a good form of Chi should be allowed to enter and move in coily movements to occupy the structure.
As per fengshui, not only the landscape should liberate good Chi but the building should be such that the Chi moves slowly to continuously move towards the various directions in the building. The characteristics of Chi in every direction is different and can give you a particular gift which is necessary for the enrichment of life. Thus family, happiness, relationship, name, fame, children etc. are all possible when good Chi circulates in a related direction.
Fengshui also believes that gadgets can be of immense help in verifying and altering the characteristics of Chi. Wind chimes, crystals, Pa Kua mirrors, fruits, plants, colors, lights are all used to change the characteristic of Chi.
