Feng Shui

 It is an ancient old Philosophy that the Chinese believe and practice in the earlier times, and still now in this modern society.  It is still strongly practiced not only among the Chinese, but the western world as well.

            What is Feng Shui?  Sounds just as the way it sounds, the word “Feng” means wind and “Shui” means water.  It is believed that living in a good balance of our environment will effect our family’s good future, prosperity and long life.

            It is believed that the house you live in, plays a major role in your life.  Even the spot of that land which the house is going to be built on effects everything.  In the earliest time, before building a house, a Feng Shui master was hired by a owner of a land.  The Feng Shui master would arrive with a luo pan (an instrument some what like a compass) to tell you if the land was a good spot or not and which position the home should be and facing.  Each room’s layout is crucible for example.  The door should not be aligned with the window, because it is believed that once you open the door the luck will go out through the window.  Your bed should not be facing the bathroom; the toilet is where the bad air and things go and where you sleep you spent most of your time in the house, and so on.  Even the furniture layout needs to be placed with the measure of the luo pan.  If your house is already built and needs adjustments, instead of rebuilding your house, you can change the Feng Shui by placing certain symbols to correct or bring down the bad Feng Shui.

            Even certain animals plays a role in the Feng Shui philosophy.  Fish, 3 Legged Toad, Elephant and Pai-yao (a special type of Lion).  They all bring good luck to either personal or business use.

            In Hong Kong, most major giant corporate buildings were designed in such a way that a Feng Shui master is the consultant.  The master worked side by side with the architect.  Even in New York  the wealthy real estate developer who has his building in Columbus Circle, was consulted by a Feng Shui master.

            It is not only the house you live in while you are alive that would make a difference.  The tomb where you are buried after dead still plays a role in good Feng Shui for your future generations.  In Asia, Feng Shui masters were hired to locate the most auspicious site for the tomb.  The tomb would be perfectly situated between mountain ranges, near a river or in a valley where its ancestral spirits would be in harmony with heaven and earth.  Such a tomb will bring its family and future generations good fortune. 

                                Lauren Campbell