On Feng Shui
An Abbreviated History and Synopsis
The practice of feng shui originated from ancient Chinese farmers' desire to select optimal land on which to grow crops and tend cattle. Terrain and weather, among other considerations, of contending farmland were scrutinized for conditions promising of a prosperous harvest.
Feng, meaning "wind", and shui, meaning "water", feng shui translates literally to "wind water", an allusion to the balance and harmony of elements and ensuing flow of energy, or chi.
Chi, regarded as the dragon's cosmic breath, is the invisible energy that unites and flows in and around all things. Should it flow too quickly, chi becomes too rapid, or yang. Should it flow too slowly, it becomes too idle, or yin.
Balance is essential to harmonize yin (an active force) and yang (a passive force) energies. Otherwise, one force will overpower the other, creating unhealthy chi flow.
The Five Elements
Wood, earth, water, fire, and metal are the components of which all forces of energy are made. Each of the five elements (Figure A.) thrive in specific directions relative to the center of a given space.
Environmental adjustments are made accordingly to set the perfect pace to energize healthy chi, flowing neither too quickly nor slowly, and bearing good health, financial prosperity, fulfilling relationships, as well as other personal and professional successes in life.
Modern feng shui has evolved considerably since its origin over 3000 years ago. It has been adapted for interior spaces and city and suburban landscapes all over the globe; though, the foundation of harmony and balance remain its central tenets.
The Bagua Map's Beginnings
The Bagua map is a tool used in the analysis of the feng shui of a space, such as a house or backyard. Ba, meaning "eight", and Gua, meaning "trigram", when placed over a floorplan, the Bagua map delineates each of the area's eight trigrams.
Traditionally represented as an octagon (Figure B.), each side of the figure, or trigram, embodies its own distinct associations to include direction, element, number, family member, and color.
Every trigram is denoted by three lines, each either solid or broken. A solid line symbolizes yang energy forces and a broken line symbolizes yin energy forces, the combinations thereof suggesting various energy states.
Developed from the Lo Shu square, modern feng shui has adapted the use of a grid rather than an octagon (Figure C.). Lo Shu, meaning "river turtle", the square was named after the legend of its origin in which the grid pattern on a turtle's shell was observed by the Duke of Chou.
Also called a magic square, it is divided into a nine section grid, each cell assigned a number 1 through 9. When added in any direction, the sum is always 15, significant as this is also the number of days in the cycle from a new moon to a full moon.
The placement of the Lo Shu square infuses additional meaning imparted by the number that falls over each trigram. It is this from which the modern Bagua map evolved.
The Modern Bagua Map
Each trigram is associated with a distinct set of properties. Among them are direction, element, and a family member (Figure D.)
Direction refers to the eight compass directions, North, northwest, northeast, south, southwest, southeast, west, and east. South represents the heavens and so, rather than north, is oriented at the top.
Element refers to the five elements, water, earth, wood, fire, and metal. The differentiation between big and small elements refer to size and quantity.
Family member refers to whom in the home is most impacted by the energy flow of a given trigram. If chi is harmonized, the family member indicated will benefit from good fortune; however, if it is unbalanced, they will be troubled by misfortune.
For example, the Li trigram (Figure E., outlined in red) represents fame and reputation. It is situated in the south corner and associated with the fire element, the middle daughter of the family, the color red, and the number 9.
In this way, eight of the nine sectors of the Bagua map are each associated with a collection of characteristics.
Symbolizing the balance and harmony of yin and yang forces, also called a "yin-yang", the Taijitu symbol is featured at the center of the map. Though not associated with a particular family member, this trigram represents personal health and family and is considered the head and heart of the home.