Feng Shui ( Chinese Vastu Shastra )
What is Feng Shui ?
What is Feng Shui? From where has it emerged
? Many such questions come in the mind.
Feng Shui is the knowledge developed by
people of China. Pyramids were created by Egyptians. Both are meant for welfare
of mankind. Feng Shui comprises of 2 words Feng and Shui. Feng means water and
Shui stands for air in Chinese. This indicates that Feng Shui is based on
maintenance of a balance between these two elements of nature. The harmony
between water and air renders good health, esteem, fame and good luck. Feng
Shui tells us how to keep articles and things in our surroundings according to
its size, colour, element, planet and number. The basic principle that must be
remembered is that neither the flow of energy in the building should stop nor
its velocity be so fast that it leaves the building without benefitting us.
The correction made according to Feng Shui is
the most economical remedy for elimination of misfortunes. There is a reason
behind it.
Luck is of 3 kinds, 1. Obtained from Earth,
2. Luck earned by own efforts, 3. Luck blessed by heaven (This is the result of
deeds of past life or due to planets). In this way the luck is earned by hard
work or karma.
There is a general belief that every human
being works as hard as he can. The luck obtained from earth is gained from places
where you work or reside. This luck can be modified with ease and it can be
made completely favourable. Feng Shui is helpful in this respect.
Most profoundly used technique in Feng Shui
is the compass method that is based on Loshu and Pakua. It is possible to
create an atmosphere or feel of a home in our residence and thus make it more
harmonious so as to derive happiness, good health and success in life.
Most of the buildings in China are
constructed on the basis of Feng Shui.
Importance of Chi
‘Chi’ is spiritual power of a person. It is
also called Sheng Chi. 'Chi' has a predominant role in Feng Shui. 'Chi' is an
invisible energy that is found in all living and non-living objects. In
non-living objects it gives a special shape to that object while in living
creatures this energy is invisible.
Feng Shui maintains that destiny of a person
is fixed by his birth but it can be altered by influence of 'Chi'.
Chi is of two types, Live Chi and Dead Chi.
Live Chi is positive and beneficial while Dead Chi is negative and harmful.
Chi is universal energy residing in all
living creatures. It can be generated by various methods. Water flowing at slow
speed makes 'Chi' available in abundance. Due to this reason when we spend some
time near a lake, river, pond or fountain, we feel energetic. Similarly air
flowing at a slow speed brings 'Chi'. On the other hand heavy winds or storms
take 'Chi' with them just as heavy rains takes various objects with it. As
'Chi' goes away, luck also goes.
Any job done with skill generates 'Chi'.
Similarly when a good musician creates music or a good athlete displays his
performance, Chi is generated. Nature produces Chi almost continuously,
Beautiful surroundings such as majestic mountains and green plains generate
Chi. An enthusiast of 17th century has described Chi as beautiful mountains,
pure water, good sunshine, slow wind and light of dawn in sky, all these have
Chi. Its company opens eyes, joy is felt in lying or sitting. The Chi is
gathered in aromas. The light twinkles in the middle and there is splendour in
every direction.
This Chi can rot due to inactivity. A
polluted pond creates negative Chi that destroys lady luck. Therefore we should
promote positive Chi as much as possible in our apartment for increase in life
energy. Chi is life energy of living beings, good surroundings, motion of Sun,
Moon, climate and human endeavour. In China, Chi energy is absorbed into body
by clapping of hands and feet. When Chi becomes excessive, its inflow is
stopped by acupuncture needles.
In China, unbalanced Chi is corrected by
herbs. A heathy mind is refined by Yoga. Every brush stroke of a Chinese artist
and wavy writing by calligrapher's pen are the result of correct technique of
breathing and reaction of a trained mind.
The purpose of Feng Shui is to develop an
environment where Chi may flow smoothly so that mental and physical fitness may
be maintained. A house where Chi flows with ease and without any hindrance, its
residents live in harmony and their life is serene. When Chi's flow is slow ,
problems crop up. An office where Chi flows unhindered, its employees are happy
and helpful, all projects are completed in time and stress remains absent.
Where Chi's flow remains stopped, harmony goes away and trade does not make
progress. In China it is called 'Chi'', in Japan 'Ki' and in India it is known
as energy.
A place where Chi of both types is absent,
Sha is present. Shar is negative, harmful and evil.
Yin and Yang
Chi is composed of Yin & Yang. These two
are universal energies of opposite nature. Any one of these energies cannot
survive without the other such as day without night, male without female.
Chi is divided in 2 parts :
·
Yin
·
Yang
This is a circle. The 2 tadpoles like fish in
it are symbols of universe.
One tadpole is black and has a white dot
while the other tadpole is white and has a black dot. These dots indicate that
Yin has some amount of Yang and Yang contains some Yin. Yin is a symbol of
black and Yang of white.
Yin : Yin energies
symbolize Earth. Yin is female, full of darkness and inactive. This is negative
energy of universe.
Yang : Male, full of light,
active. This is positive energy of universe.
Both of these are mutually opposite to each
other but also incorporate elements of the other one. Yin has micro light and
Yang contains micro dark. In this manner both are dependent on each other.
Energy object in universe is made up by combination of Yin and Yang. These
energies also continue to react with each other.
When Yin and Yang maintain a balanced ratio,
the atmosphere is harmonious and proper. Yang symbolizes heat and South
direction while Yin indicates cold and North. Balance of Yin and Yang gives
peace and prosperity to a building.
This whole circle indicates a balanced
universe , whether Yin is excessive or Yang. Night is followed by morning.
Spring and summer come after winter. In the same manner a human being must
maintain harmony in life by keeping a balance in Yang and Yin
·
Yin
Yang
·
Woman
Man
·
Negative
Positive
·
Soft
Hard
·
Follower
Leader
·
Dark
Light
·
Night
Day
·
Valley
Mountain
·
Below
Above
·
Negative
Energies Positive Energies
·
Winter
Summer
·
North
South
·
Stagnant
water Flowing water
·
Earth
Sky
·
Broken
Line Perfect Line
·
Round
Square
·
Light
Colors Dark Colors
·
Moon
Sun
·
Body
Soul
·
Round
Curtains Pointed Curtains
·
House
Office
·
For
Dead Persons For Living Persons
·
Inside
Outside
Feng Shui is based on harmony between 5
elements. If elements are amicable with one another then the building or
residence is lucky and joyous, otherwise adverse results are likely.
Correct use of Feng Shui can make every
object favourable. Five elements are related to directions and metals. Strength
of these elements may vary according to change in climate.
The
Five Elements
Everything
in this world is made of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. The Chinese people
believe that every person is influenced by these elements according to his date
of birth and year of birth.
These
5 elements also create or destroy other elements.
The
use of these elements must be balanced. When an element becomes too much strong
or weak, problems crop up.
Elements
move in a circle like a wheel and help one another. For example Water generates
Wood. Wood produces Fire. Fire creates ash or Earth. Earth gives Metals. Liquid
Metals are like Water.
When
this wheel moves backwards, destruction follows. It is essential to know how
these elements create or destroy one another.
The
year of birth of a person decides which element is important for him. Matters
related to that element predominate the life of that person. Further, these
elements have a specific size. Every element has a distinct identity,
direction, colour, season, animal, characteristics and personality.
The
basis of use of 5 elements in Feng Shui is Chinese Astrology. Every person can
identify the elements in his birth chart as Time, Day , Date and Year of Birth
are related to elements. These elements are related to one another according to
following cycles.
·
Productive Cycle ·
Destructive Cycle
Productive Cycle
As
shown in diagram Wood generates Fire, i.e. fire is produced by burning of wood.
Fire creates Earth as by burning of wood ash (earth) is produced.
Earth
creates Metal as metal is obtained by digging of earth.
Metal
produces Water because when metal is melted it becomes a liquid. Water produces
wood because a tree is grown by irrigating it by water.
Destructive
Cycle
In
destructive cycle wood destroys Earth because trees are grown on earth. They
extract all minerals and makes land barren.
Earth
destroys water as soil takes all water. Water destroys Fire. Fire destroys
Metal as it melts the metal.
Metal
destroys Wood as sharp metallic instruments cut the trees.
It
is essential to understand these cycles for proper use of Feng Shui.
1.
Wood Element
Direction : East
Season : Spring
Colour : Green
Size : Rectangular
Animal : Dragon
Virtue : Help to others
Quality : Dedication, Loyalty
Planet : Jupiter
Personality
Wood is creative. Wood oriented persons are
creative and energetic. They make many schemes. Impressive personality,
interest in arts, full of enthusiasm and success are other traits. Such persons
are imaginative.
Weak points : They are short tempered and
lack in patience. They do not complete the work undertaken.
Abode
Plants, trees, wooden furniture, ships,
wooden planks, cane furniture, flowers, leaves, poles, green colour, paper,
landscape painting, green clothes.
2.
Fire Element
Direction : South
Season : Summer
Colour : Red
Size : Triangle
Animal : Phoenix
Virtue : Good character and rectitude
Quality : Skill in arguments and logic
Planet : Mars
Personality
Fire gives enthusiasm and energy. Due to this
reason Fire oriented people are leaders. This element gives glory. Such people
are active. They encourage others to follow them. They like justice. All this
is valid only when this element is present in appropriate quantity. Its excess
changes personality. They become critics, use foul language, are quarrelsome
and envious.
Abode
Sunlight, lamp, oil, electrical goods,
candles, fire, domestic animals, wild animals, violent animals, geyser, statue,
stone statues, corner articles, arrows, red things.
3.
Earth Element
Direction : Middle
Season : Unchanged
Colour : Brown, Yellow, Orange
Size : Square
Animal : Bull
Virtue : Belief
Quality : Honesty
Planet : Saturn
Personality
Earth gives stability, confidence and
understanding. It indicates patience, honesty, faith and a balanced
personality. Persons of this element are kind hearted and responsible. They
show courage in difficulties. They possess sixth sense. However when they have
excessive Earth qualities, they become obstinate.
Abode
Stones, square shape, cement, bricks, straw,
clay articles, flower pots.
4.
Metal Element
Direction : West
Season : Winter
Colour : White
Size : Circular
Animal : Panther
Virtue : Justice
Quality : Plain speaking
Planet : Venus
Personality
Metal is an element of trade and financial
success. Metal persons are religious, they follow principles, have serious
thinking. They do not accept help easily. They are tough, plain speaking
people. They can be aggressive. They possess business acumen that can make them
clever and wicked.
Abode
All metals, domes, metallic things, doors,
kitchen utensils, white and grey things, silver articles, crystals, mild and
light colours, metallic statues, watches.
5.
Water Element
Direction : North
Season : Winter
Colour : Black, Blue
Size : Irregular, Oval
Animal : Tortoise
Virtue : Intelligence
Quality : Firmness
Planet : Mercury
Personality
Water
persons are communicative, diplomatic, flexible and dependable. They are
artistic, sentimental and understand feelings of others. They are fond of
music, kind hearted and imaginative. They possess sense of humour and a
versatile talent. They impress people easily. However, excess of these traits
gives extreme thoughts. Mood may be unstable. They could be cowards, nervous
and tense.
Abode
Rivers,
falls, ponds, lakes, blue-black colour, mirrors, glass, fish tanks, pictures of
water, fountains, glass bottles, money plant, crystal, house of varying height,
transparent things.
Power of Feng Shui
Feng Shui works mysteriously. It is not essential
that the desired objective may be attained every time but energies are made
dynamic for attainment of goals. A discussion with Feng Shui expert is useful.
He can guide properly. The methods must be followed carefully. Changes in only
one direction are desired at one time. After few days, work on another
direction may be started.
1.
Wealth
The upper-left quadrangle belonging
to South-East is related to wealth. This area is useful for improvement in
financial position.
2.
Fame
The South is the direction of
fame. The upper-middle quadrangle is related to fame and indicates esteem and
status in society. This quadrangle should be energised for being famous.
3.
Marriage
The South-West quadrangle
adjacent to Fame indicates marriage and intimate relationships.
Persons desirous of developing
an existing or new relationship should activate this quadrangle.
4.
Family &
Health
Family and Health are indicated
by the Eastern quadrangle below the Wealth. This area should be activated if
there are problems in the family or if a family member is sick. This area is
also suitable for keeping medicines for first aid as this quadrangle indicates family
in a broad sense.
5.
Children
The Western quadrangle signifies
children and adolescents. Apart from it, this area indicates creativity. This
area should be developed for birth of a child or for solving children's
problems. This place is ideal for doing creative work.
6.
Knowledge
Quadrangle in North-East
indicates knowledge. This is situated below Family and Health area. This place
is ideal for keeping books or for studies. For success in education this place
must be activated.
7.
Job &
Business
This quadrangle is situated in
North. If it is desired to make the office at home, this area is ideal.
8.
Benefactors
The North-West quadrant is meant
for well wishers. New projects can also be started in this area.
9.
Fortune
The centre of Pakua is called by
different names such as Auspicious centre or Intellectual place, Chi Centre or
Happiness Area.
Chi collected here, spreads to
other areas of house. This place is ideal for any collective work where
assembling of family members is required. Therefore this place must be lighted
well for accumulation of Chi.
This miraculous Pakua is put on
the diagram of house in such a manner that it's lower part represents the main
door of house. By the help of Pakua, areas suitable for work or rest etc. are
identified.
