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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feng shui | 3/6 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T09:19:51.449274+00:00 | kb-cron |
East: The Azure Dragon (Spring equinox)—Niao (Bird 鳥), α Scorpionis South: The Vermilion Bird (Summer solstice)—Huo (Fire 火), α Hydrae West: The White Tiger (Autumn equinox)—Mǎo (Hair 毛), η Tauri (the Pleiades) North: The Black Tortoise (Winter solstice)—Xū (Emptiness, Void 虛), α Aquarii, β Aquarii The diagrams are also linked with the sifang (four directions) method of divination used during the Shang dynasty. The sifang is much older, however. It was used at Niuheliang, and figured large in Hongshan culture's astronomy. And it is this area of China that is linked to Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) who allegedly invented the south-pointing spoon (see compass).
== Traditional feng shui == Traditional feng shui is an ancient system based upon the observation of heavenly time and earthly space. Literature, as well as archaeological evidence, provide some idea of the origins and nature of feng shui techniques. Aside from books, there is also a strong oral history. In many cases, masters have passed on their techniques only to selected students or relatives. Modern practitioners of feng shui draw from several branches in their own practices.
=== Form branch === The Form Branch is the oldest branch of feng shui. Qing Wuzi in the Han dynasty describes it in the Book of the Tomb and Guo Pu of the Jin dynasty follows up with a more complete description in The Book of Burial. The Form branch was originally concerned with the location and orientation of tombs (Yin House feng shui), which was of great importance. The branch then progressed to the consideration of homes and other buildings (Yang House feng shui). The "form" in Form branch refers to the shape of the environment, such as mountains, rivers, plateaus, buildings, and general surroundings. It considers the five celestial animals (vermillion phoenix, azure dragon, white tiger, black turtle, and the yellow snake), the yin and yang concept and the traditional five elements (wuxing: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). The Form branch analyzes the shape of the land and flow of the wind and water to find a place with ideal qi. It also considers the time of important events such as the birth of the resident and the building of the structure.
=== Compass branch === The Compass branch is a collection of more recent feng shui techniques based on the Eight Directions, each of which is said to have unique qi. It uses the luopan, a disc marked with formulas in concentric rings around a magnetic compass. The Compass branch includes techniques such as Flying Star and Eight Mansions.
== List of specific feng shui branches ==
=== Ti Li (Form Branch) ===
==== Popular Xingshi Pai (形勢派) "Forms" methods ==== Luan Tou Pai, 巒頭派, Pinyin: luán tóu pài, (environmental analysis without using a compass) Xing Xiang Pai, 形象派 or 形像派, Pinyin: xíng xiàng pài, (Imaging forms) Xingfa Pai, 形法派, Pinyin: xíng fǎ pài
=== Liiqi Pai (Compass Branch) ===
==== Popular Liiqi Pai (理气派) "Compass" methods ==== San Yuan Method, 三元派 (Pinyin: sān yuán pài)
Dragon Gate Eight Formation, 龍門八法 (Pinyin: lóng mén bā fǎ) Xuan Kong, 玄空 (time and space methods) Xuan Kong Fei Xing 玄空飛星 (Flying Stars methods of time and directions) Xuan Kong Da Gua, 玄空大卦 ("Secret Decree" or 64 gua relationships) Xuan Kong Mi Zi, 玄空秘旨 (Mysterious Space Secret Decree) Xuan Kong Liu Fa, 玄空六法 (Mysterious Space Six Techniques) Zi Bai Jue, 紫白訣 (Purple White Scroll) San He Method, 三合派 (environmental analysis using a compass)
Accessing Dragon Methods Ba Zhai, 八宅 (Eight Mansions) Yang Gong Feng Shui, 楊公風水 Water Methods, 河洛水法 Local Embrace Others
Yin House Feng Shui, 陰宅風水 (feng shui for the deceased) Four Pillars of Destiny, 四柱命理 (a form of hemerology) Zi Wei Dou Shu, 紫微斗數 (Purple Star Astrology) I-Ching, 易經 (Book of Changes) Qi Men Dun Jia, 奇門遁甲 (Mysterious Door Escaping Techniques) Da Liu Ren, 大六壬 (Divination: Big Six Heavenly Yang Water Qi) Tai Yi Shen Shu, 太乙神數 (Divination: Tai Yi Magical Calculation Method) Date Selection, 擇日 (selection of auspicious dates and times for important events) Chinese Palmistry, 掌相學 (destiny reading by palm reading) Chinese Face Reading, 面相學 (destiny reading by face reading) Major and Minor Wandering Stars (Constellations) Five Phases, 五行 (relationship of the five phases or wuxing) BTB Black (Hat) Tantric Buddhist Sect (Westernised or modern methods not based on Classical teachings) Symbolic Feng Shui, (New Age feng shui methods that advocate substitution with symbolic (spiritual, appropriate representation of five elements) objects if natural environment or object/s is/are not available or viable) Pierce Method of Feng Shui (sometimes pronounced Von Shway)—The practice of melding striking with soothing furniture arrangements to promote peace and prosperity
== Traditional uses of feng shui ==
=== Environmental management ===
Traditional feng shui was a system designed to aid rural villages from the effects of weather and natural disaster. As a set of consistent rules, feng shui can facilitate collective consensus on development without the need of centralized leadership. Understanding that one's actions could damage the feng shui and fortunes of the entire village, individuals were incentivized to know these rules and carefully manage the development of their land and resources. This served to prevent the Tragedy of the Commons. When conflict did erupt during development, feng shui experts played an important role in balancing interests and enforcing orderly development. Different branches of feng shui were developed and embraced in response to differing local geographies. In southern China, this often resulted in villages located on high hills safe from flooding and erosion, with pooling streams that allow for easy irrigation and drainage, fields downstream fertilized by sewage, and graves located on the highest hills far from water and on otherwise unvaluable farmland. To this degree, feng shui could help communities manage their spaces to match their physical, environmental, and aesthetic needs.