Knowing the Feng Shui foundation theories will help you understand that various concepts and practises that you need to implement in your life. These mainly help you arrange your environment so you can find the right flow of energy to increase your good fortune.
Feng Shui is all about finding the right location and axis based on three accepted theories. You need to study each and every one of them to know how you can implement Feng Shui in your daily life.
Feng Shui foundation theory: Qi
This first foundation theory is simply called Qi. Pronounced as “chi” this literally means “air”. However, the meaning is much more than that.
As one of the foundation theories of Feng Shui, the Qi usually refers to the “energy” or “life force” that is believed to be all around us. You need to have a deeper understanding of the environment around you. It is about being aware of the orientation of buildings and various things around you. It is knowing how the land interacts with the vegetation and the quality of the soil.
When graves and structures are situated in the right place, the Qi become strong. This is why in the olden days, warriors destroy tombs and graveyards in an attempt to weaken the Qi of their enemies.
To determine the flow of Qi, an instrument of Feng Shui is used – the loupan. This instrument is a geomantic or magnetic compass that is used to determine the exact direction of an item or structure. It is believed that magnetic compasses can reflect the geomagnetism locally – as well as the currents that are geomagnetically induced because of the weather in space. The experts believe that the Qi is actually solar radiation. As the weather in space changes, the Qi on Earth will rise and fall as well.
Feng Shui foundation theory: Polarity
Another foundation theory of Feng Shui is known as Polarity. Others refer to it as the Yin and Yang Theory. The yin and yang are usually compared to the bipolar magnetic field. It is founded on the belief that there are two forces. One is responsible for creating a force (Yang) while the other is on the receiving end (Yin).
The Yin Yang Theory is connected to the Five Element Theory or the Five Phase Theory. These elements are water, wood, earth, metal, and fire. Sometimes, the earth is replaced by soil. It is believed that each of these elements is composed of precise amounts of yin and yang. The interaction between these two forces is one of the foundation theories of Feng Shui. You need to make sure that there is a balance between the two. To achieve that you need to align a building, object or even a whole city with the force fields of the yin and yang.
Feng Shui foundation theory: Bagua
The last of the foundation theories is Bagua. An illustration of bagua reveals two ancient diagrams. It has eight trigrams that are commonly used in a Taoist cosmology. These represent the basic principles of reality. There are three lines and every link can either be “broken” or “unbroken” – as they represent yin or yang.
A bagua is a common fixture in any practice of Feng Shui. It is actually compared to a compass – at least when it comes to the cardinal points.
There is also a bagua diagram that is linked to the four directions or sifang. This is the divination method that was used back in the Shang dynasty. This diagram was also used for the practice of astronomy by the Hongshan culture.
The cardinal direction in a bagua diagram is based on the marker-stars composed of the Four Celestial Animals. These are considered as mega-constellations. The Blue Green Dragon (Spring equinox) is towards the East, the Red Bird (Summer solstice) is to the South, the White Tiger (Autumn equinox) is towards the West, and the Dark Turtle (Winter solstice) is to the North.
Get to know these three foundation theories of Feng Shui so you know how to properly implement it in places that you want to prosper.