Feng Shui
 

Origin of Feng Shui The origin of Feng Shui ["Kan Yu"] dates back to 3000 BC. Feng Shui [pronounced "Fung Shway"] Feng Shui literally means "Wind" [Feng] And "Water" [Shui]. Feng Shui was originally used by the farmers in ancient China who mostly lived along the banks of famous Yellow River, their primary concern was to shield themselves and their farms from the harsh winds and untamed waters of the Yellow river. A site was considered fortunate if it was sheltered from the harsh winds. It was considered most fortunate, if the winds were gentle and the water meandering, as they would then bring comfort, prosperity and fertility to the dwellers. Feng Shui in modern times one can say, is the study and practice of: Combination of, Town-Planning, Living Harmoniously and in balance with ones Environment and other humans, Architecture and interior decoration.

As society began to grow in size and complexity, Feng Shui had to deal with fertility, fame and fortune as well. The Confucian and Taoist philosophies have dominated China for thousands of years and still do so. Feng Shui theory has sprung from these ideas. The Confucian theory considers man as part of the Universe he lives in. The universe is ever changing and so is man. The changes that happen in Universe affect our existence and our well being. What the man does also affects the Universe in some way or the other. Man should respect what Mother Nature bestows on him and not to act against Heaven for his personal selfish motive. This in fact is why man should do all he can to protect the environment. For thousands of years the Chinese have been taught to live in harmony with nature and not to disturb the balance. This is the fundamental principal of Feng Shui.

 

Chi/Qi What Feng Shui talks about is "Chi" or "Qi", [pronounced "Chee"]. Qi is the primordial energy; some call it prana, atma, it has no boundaries. As mass and energy are interchangeable, chi is found either in the form of matter or energy or a combination of the two. Therefore, chi can be visible, invisible, or partially visible and partially invisible. Ancient Chinese classified all things in Nature into five types: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. It's a fact that all things are a combination of these primary bases. Different combinations will have different influences, some are fortunate and some are evil. Feng Shui is in fact the study of the distribution of "chi" in a location. Such a distribution also varies with time. It has, in fact, a solid scientific foundation laid upon the concrete stone of Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy and Geography.