Feng Shui in the Far East Essay Example

due to its comprehensive nature; however, there are several basic elements that can be easily understood and incorporated into everyday life.

The text discusses three types of Feng Shui, namely Compass or Lo P'an Feng Shui and Directional or Pah Kwa Feng Shui. The first type heavily relies on a traditional compass called lo p'an to determine the suitability of your house. This compass consists of 64 rings (Craze 10). The second type involves using the direction your house faces and dividing it into eight areas known as enrichments or pah kwa (sometimes spelled bagua). These areas oversee different aspects of your life such as relationships, family, career, and health (Craze 11).

The third type of Feng Shui is Intuitive or Yin Yang Feng Shui. According to Craze, this school of Feng Shui focuses on the way energy flows in and around your home and your connection to that energy (11).

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the basic principles of Feng Shui and its relevance to the geography of Asia. The discussion will cover fundamental aspects such as the concept of ch'i, the eight remedies, the significance of the four compass directions and the five elements, the effects of the eight types of ch'i (cosmic life force/energy), symbolism behind the four/five animals, and how to apply all these principles to your home.

Regarding the mentioned topics, there exist different beliefs and practices. The following text will present the prevailing viewpoint, which is based on thorough research.

Feng Shui Research

I conducted extensive research on Feng Shui by consulting online sources, utilizing library resources, and obtaining two books. One of these books is titled Feng Shui Handbook: how to Create a Healthier

Living and Working Environment by Master Lam Kam Chuen.

The other book is Feng Shui Made Easy: An introduction to the basics of the ancient art of feng shui by Richard Craze. I watch decorating shows almost every day, and they often contain segments on how to decorate using Feng Shui. In our textbook Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East and Southeast Asia there is a small part dedicated to explaining the basics of Feng Shui. From all of the above sources, I chose to explain the very basics of Feng Shui because, after researching the topic, I found that there are very extensive principles regarding Feng Shui.

Methodology

I conducted my study by visiting the library, researching online, watching TV shows, reading my textbook (Dragons and Tigers), and purchasing two books about Feng Shui. I thoroughly examined all the collected material, and I have documented the problem and findings in this paper. Since the library had limited information, I went to a bookstore and obtained the two books on Feng Shui. I compared and contrasted the information from these two books, finding that most of it was consistent. However, there were contradictory statements within the two books regarding the number of symbolic animals. Additionally, I have also gained insights from various home decorating shows that discussed and provided basic tutorials on implementing Feng Shui principles in one's home.

From my past experience, I obtained a greater comprehension of the principles of Feng Shui, including those that were previously unfamiliar to me. I gathered information about Feng Shui from online sources and compared it with the knowledge found in two books that

I bought. Moreover, I discovered useful pictures on the Internet that provided further clarification on the principles of Feng Shui.

Findings

"East Asia has its own geographic tradition" called Feng Shui (Weightman 228). Numerous important buildings and sites in Asia were constructed based on the principles of Feng Shui, including The Heavenly Altar in Beijing, The Taj Mahal, and The Forbidden City. Modern structures like The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and The Bank of China also incorporated Feng Shui principles in their design. "The Hyatt Hotel in Singapore experienced significant business growth after adapting its building to enhance its feng shui" (Craze 55). Many other buildings and their surroundings in the Far East follow Feng Shui principles due to its significant cultural significance.

When studying the geography of Asia, it is impossible to ignore the ancient art/science of Feng Shui, which originated in the continent. Feng Shui places great emphasis on the four Compass Directions. According to Feng Shui beliefs, the west is associated with unpredictability, containing traits such as warfare, strength, anger, suddenness, and potential violence. The ch'i that emanates from the west is also deemed unpredictable. South, on the other hand, represents luck, fame, fortune, happiness, light, joy, and hope, and the ch'i from this direction is considered invigorating. In Feng Shui philosophy, the north symbolizes hidden aspects, mystery, coldness, sleep, ritual, nurturing, and caring. The ch'i from the north acts as a protective and nurturing force. As for the east, it is associated with protection and culture. It represents new growth, kindness, learning, and wisdom. The ch'i that flows from the east is expansive and mature in nature

(Craze 16-7). Within Feng Shui principles, yin and yang hold significant importance.

Despite their perceived opposite characteristics, yin and yang should not be seen as such. The yang principle symbolizes the male principle, while yin represents the female. However, nothing is exclusively one or the other (Chuen 30). The Yin and Yang represent balance and harmony. According to Weightman (226), they are two opposing yet complementary forces that govern the universe and symbolize harmony. Essentially, nothing is inherently yin or yang alone (Chuen 19). The five elements include fire, earth, metal, water, and wood.

The personality representation of an individual is determined by the last digit in their birth year. Metals denote 0 and 1, water denotes 2 and 3, wood denotes 4 and 5, fire denotes 6 and 7, while earth represents 8 and 9. For example, if your birth year ends with the number 73, you would be associated with the element of water. Similarly, if your birth year concludes with the number 69, you would correspond to the element of earth.

Each person has different characteristics depending on the element they are represented by. A person represented by water is known as "the thinker" and loves knowledge and intellectual pursuits, hates vulnerability, and should avoid cold environments. On the other hand, a person represented by wood is known as "the explorer" and loves to be busy and purposeful, hates losing, and should avoid windy places. Represented by metal, "the catalyst" loves precision and control, hates disorder and clutter, and should avoid dryness. The earth person is called "the diplomat," loving people and being of use, hating being ignored, and should avoid dampness. Lastly, a person

represented by fire is "the adventurer," loving change, hating boredom, and should avoid heat (Craze 27). All elements are interconnected and can both help or hinder each other (Craze 28). There are eight types of ch'i with corresponding sha, which represents unhealthy/negative ch'i.

Each type of ch'i and sha corresponds to the eight compass directions. The North represents "nurturing ch'i" which has a negative form called "lingering sha" that induces feelings of lethargy. The Northeast represents "flourishing ch'i" or its negative form known as "stagnating sha" which leads to poor health. East signifies "growing ch'i" or "overpowering sha" that causes egotism and vanity. Southeast denotes "creative ch'i" or "provoking sha" which can result in irritability and headaches. The South represents "vigorous ch'i" or its harmful form called "accelerating sha" which induces exhaustion. Southwest embodies "soothing ch'i" or "disruptive sha" that generates anger. West signifies "changeable ch'i" or "dangerous sha" which prompts impulsive behavior. Northwest represents "expansive ch'i" or its negative form known as "unpredictable sha" which leads to restlessness (Craze 33). The eight types of ch'i hold significance in Feng Shui because the type of ch'i that enters one's home depends on the direction from which the front door opens. The ch'i, if stagnated, blocked, or flowing too quickly, will impact every aspect of one's life (Craze 34).

In the two books I bought, there are conflicting statements regarding the number of symbolic animals. According to Craze, there are four animals, each representing one of the four compass directions. On the other hand, Chuen claims that there are five animals, and the position of the individual determines the directions and relationships of the surrounding world (38). For

instance, the snake represents the person who remains alert, stable, and prepared for quick action, protected by the four other creatures while also being able to guide them (Chuen 39). The person is positioned with the phoenix in front, tiger on the right, dragon on the left, and tortoise at the back (Chuen 38). Each animal possesses distinct characteristics.

According to Chuen (39), the phoenix symbolizes our ability to perceive and gather sensory information about our surroundings and the unfolding events in it. The tiger, on the other hand, represents both the vigilance to detect any potential threat and the inherent violent propensity within us. Acting as a reflection and decision-maker, the dragon utilizes the gathered information from the phoenix. Additionally, Chuen (38) describes the tortoise as a symbol of stability, offering security, longevity, and freedom from rear attacks. When studying the Far East, Feng Shui principles are commonly encountered, whether in their fundamental or extensive form. All these mentioned elements serve as the foundational components of Feng Shui.

Weightman (228) states that Feng Shui principles can be used to determine the ideal positioning of buildings, including private homes and office buildings, as well as the arrangement of furniture and interior design. For example, if someone is unhappy with the view from their front door (e.g., a factory, prison, streetlights, or a school), they should take measures based on the direction of their house to counteract any negative energy from those locations (Craze 38-9). It is also important to strategically place mirrors inside the house so that no one can approach from behind without being seen (Chuen 62). In the bedroom, it is advised to avoid having

beams above the bed due to potential negative effects on health. Additionally, the bed should not directly face the door (Chuen 58). These examples demonstrate how Feng Shui principles can guide both building placement and furniture arrangement. While there are numerous other examples beyond what has been mentioned here, individuals can start improving their homes with Feng Shui by applying these principles alongside common sense.

Conclusions

There are many elements of Feng Shui, and becoming an expert would require extensive study. However, by learning some basic principles, one can start incorporating Feng Shui into their life quickly. During my research, I encountered numerous contradictions and disagreements among Feng Shui researchers and authors. This posed a significant challenge as I found conflicting information in my readings.

The differences in Feng Shui may have emerged during the translation of ideas and rules from Chinese to English. To investigate further, one could compare the various variations and try to identify the original belief or principle.

References

1. Chuen, Master L.K. (1996). Feng Shui Handbook: How to Create a Healthier Living and Working Environment. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc.
2. Craze, R. (1999). Feng Shui Made Easy: An introduction to the basics of the ancient art of feng shui. New York: Godsfield Press.
3. Feng Shui Advisors.

The given text is a brief introduction to Feng Shui, which was last modified on March 9, 2002. It is an internet source that was accessed using Internet Explorer on April 2, 2002.

Click here for availability.

Weightman, B. (2002). "Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East and Southeast Asia." New York: John Wiley ; Sons, Inc.