What is Feng Shui? Benefits of Feng Shui
Published: 04/05/2009 by Adam Khan
The term feng shui literally translates as "wind-water" in English. This is a cultural shorthand taken from the following passage of the Zhangshu (Book of Burial) by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty. Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.
Feng shui (traditional Chines) simplified Chinese, pinyin: f?ng shu?; pronounced /?fo???ue?/ fung-shway in Mandarin or fung-shooy) is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to utilize the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu (traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, pinyin: k?nyú; literally.
Traditional feng shui practice always requires an extremely accurate Chinese compass, or luo pan, in order to determine the directions in finding any auspicious sector in a desired location.
Although feng shui is conceptually similar to its Indian counterpart Vaastu Shastra in that they both try to harmonize the flow of life-energy (qi in Chinese or prana in Sanskrit) through the house, it differs in the details, such as the exact directions in which various objects, rooms, materials etc. are to be placed.
Origins
Currently Yangshao and Hongshan cultures provide the earliest evidence for the practice of feng shui. Until the invention of the magnetic compass, feng shui apparently relied on astronomy to find correlations between humans and the universe.
In 4000 BCE, the doors of Banpo dwellings were aligned to the asterism Yingshi just after the winter solstice?this sited the homes for solar gain. During the Zhou era, Yingshi was known as Ding and used to indicate the appropriate time to build a capital city, according to the Shijing. The late Yangshao site at Dadiwan (c. 3500-3000 BCE) includes a palace-like building (F901) at the center. The building faces south and borders a large plaza. It is on a north-south axis with another building that apparently housed communal activities. The complex may have been used by regional communities.
A grave at Puyang (c. 3000 BCE) that contains mosaics of the Dragon and Tiger asterisms and Beidou (the Big Dipper, Ladle or Bushel) is oriented along a north-south axis. The presence of both round and square shapes in the Puyang tomb, at Hongshan ceremonial centers and the late Longshan settlement at Lutaigang, suggests that gaitian cosmography (heaven-round, earth-square) was present in Chinese society long before it appeared in the Zhou Bi Suan Jing.
Cosmography that bears a striking resemblance to modern feng shui devices and formulas was found on a jade unearthed at Hanshan and dated around 3000 BCE. The design is linked by archaeologist Li Xueqin to the liuren astrolabe, zhinan zhen, and Luopan.
Beginning with palatial structures at Erlitou, all capital cities of China followed rules of feng shui for their design and layout. These rules were codified during the Zhou era in the Kaogong ji (traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, "Manual of Crafts"). Rules for builders were codified in the carpenter's manual Lu ban jing (traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, "Lu ban's manuscript"). Graves and tombs also followed rules of feng shui, from Puyang to Mawangdui and beyond. From the earliest records, it seems that the rules for the structures of the graves and dwellings were the same.
Feng Shui for Your Bedroom
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, your peaceful place and your reward at the end of the day. Your bedroom should have a constant flow of sensual energy, which calms you down and relaxes you. Your bedroom should not be your living space; it should only be used to sleep, nap or make love to your partner.
De-clutter
First and foremost get rid of the TV and other distracting gadgets. Things like computers and exercise equipment are all big no-no's that work against the feng shui environment. Try to allow the flow of energy to pass freely without being distracted by clutter. Messy environments and objects such as shoes and clothing lying on the floor also restrict the flow of energy.
Always keep cupboard doors, en suite doors and entrance doors to your bedroom closed at night when you go to sleep. This will allow the flow of energy to strengthen your environment.
Oxygen and light
To create a sense of feng shui in your bedroom, first and foremost get a good flow of oxygen going. Get rid of any plants and open the windows to allow oxygen to flow freely into your bedroom. Next, consider your lighting. Light is energy and remember that we are attempting to get good feng shui (good energy) going in the bedroom, so light is very important. High levels of artificial lighting are not recommended, so instead, try to install a dimmer or lamps to create a more natural light.
Colour and images
The colours you use in the décor and design of your bedroom can also work in harmony with the feng shui principles. Natural colours are best used in the bedroom; these include pale pink, beige, browns and basically any colour that reflects the colour of human skin. The photographs and paintings or images that you use in your bedroom are also very important. These need to reflect what you want to see evolving in your life. Use images that make you feel happy and at peace. Don't use lonely, sad photos or paintings in your bedroom.
The bed
Your bed is the centrepiece of your bedroom and to achieve perfect feng shui harmony, follow these simple guidelines:
1.A good quality bed and mattress not only give you a comfortable night's sleep, but also work in harmony with the feng shui principles.
2.Your bed linen should consist of natural fibres that are of a high quality.
3.Ideally, you should have both sides of your bed free from clutter, making it easy for you to get into bed from either of the two sides.
4.Each side should be balanced with a side table. For perfect balance, these should be identical.
5.If your bedroom design allows it, the bed should not be in a direct line with the door.
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