The Explanation and Origin of Feng Shui

Feng Shui, an ancient and mysterious practice originating from China, has a long – standing influence both in China and around the world.

I. Definition of Feng Shui

Feng Shui can be simply defined as a traditional Chinese belief regarding the relationship between humans and the natural environment. It mainly focuses on the evaluation and selection of residential foundations, graveyards, and other places. In a broader sense, it involves the study of how the natural elements such as landforms, mountains, and water directions affect the fortune and well – being of people. There are two main interpretations of the term “Feng Shui” in Chinese. One refers to a type of swelling disease caused by the invasion of wind – evil, which is not directly related to the traditional practice of Feng Shui in terms of architecture and environment. The other, which is more relevant here, is the concept that considers the natural situation of residential bases and graveyards, like the direction of the earth pulse, mountains, and water, as a whole system.

II. The Origin of Feng Shui

1.Early Concepts

• The origin of Feng Shui can be traced back to primitive society. At that time, people were influenced by the concept of animism, believing that landforms were manifestations of gods or had spiritual properties. They also chose certain caves for living and selected burial sites for the dead, which can be regarded as the rudiments of Feng Shui, a process known as “observing the land.”

2.Development in History

• The term “Feng Shui” first appeared in the book “Zang Shu” written by Guo Pu in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Guo Pu’s description of “Qi rides the wind and scatters, and stops at the boundary of water. Ancient people gathered it so that it would not scatter and made it move so that it would stop. Therefore, it is called Feng Shui” laid the foundation for the future development of Feng Shui theory.
  • With the progress of society and the development of agriculture, people gradually settled down. During the Han – Jin period, Feng Shui began to take shape. It combined with the Yin – Yang and Five – Elements theory, as well as the I Ching and other divination concepts under the influence of Daoist philosophy, laying a philosophical foundation for its further development.
  • By the Tang – Song – Yuan dynasties, Feng Shui matured. And in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it became increasingly perfect. Different schools of Feng Shui, such as the Form School, which focuses on identifying the dragon (good landforms), observing sand (surrounding landforms), watching water, determining the acupoint, and orienting, and theTheory School, which emphasizes the Yin – Yang, Five – Elements, Ganzhi, and Eight – Trigrams’ mutual generation and mutual restraint theories, were formed.

3.Philosophical Basis

• Feng Shui is based on the fundamental concept of “unity of heaven, earth, and man.” It believes that humans are part of nature and that a harmonious co – existence between humans and the natural environment is essential. The core idea is to pursue the harmony between man and nature and reach the state of “unity of heaven and man.” Through the identification of earth qi, adjustment of orientation, and utilization and transformation of landscape environment, Feng Shui aims to obtain, attract, and preserve the vital energy (Qi) to benefit people and their descendants.

In conclusion, Feng Shui is not only an ancient Chinese practice but also a comprehensive discipline that combines knowledge from multiple fields such as geophysics, hydrogeology, astronomy, meteorology, environmental landscape, architecture, ecology, and human life information. Its long – standing origin and unique philosophical concepts make it a distinctive part of Chinese traditional culture.