The history of Feng Shui spans a period of more than 3000 years. If you are serious about following this philosophy and implementing it in your life, you need to know how it all started. Knowing the past of Feng Shui will give you a better understanding of the concepts and applications that you will implement. It will also help you determine which of the practices you will follow.
Origins of feng shui
The earliest evidence of Feng Shui can be traced back to the Hongshan and Yangshao cultures. It is believed that it came into existence when people were trying to settle farm animals and maximize the growth of their crops. This was used to help people identify the safest and more productive places for families to dwell in. The history of Feng Shui also revealed that it was used to find the best burial sites for relatives who passed away.
Later on, the practice was used to find the best location for important structures like the palace, government buildings, and even public monuments. There are also major cities that were built and designed in accordance with the core concepts of Feng Shui. During the Zhou era, they created the “Manual of Crafts” (Kaogong ji) that wrote the rules officially. This was used by builders and developers.
The early techniques and instruments used in Feng Shui
In the past, the practice of Feng Shui relied on astronomy to determine the relationship between us and the universe. But over time, instruments were used to increase its effect.
The original instrument based on the history of Feng Shui is the gnomon. This helped determine the north and south axis that the settlements will have. This instrument allowed builders to get the precise alignments while they are building major structures for the city. The use of these instruments also involved rituals that were believed to help make the measurements and alignments more accurate.
Other instruments include the liuren astrolabes or the shi. It is a two-sided board that has astronomical sightlines. The oldest shi to be unearthed was from tombs that dated from 278 BC to 209 BC. The markings that you will see in the shi are actually similar to the ones on the first magnetic compass. There is also the Luopan that is the south-pointing spoon.
Probably the most famous instrument that is associated with Feng Shui is the magnetic compass. Identifying where the North-South-East-West is very important in the practice of Feng Shui.
How feng shui developed in time
Over the history of Feng Shui, you will realize that a lot of changes have happened. In the past, it was considered to be an integral part of the way the Chinese defined their culture. At least, this was before Communism tried to stifle the influence of Feng Shui because of the mystical elements that are involved in it.
But it is evident that a lot of modern Chinese still practice Feng Shui. Traces of it is still recognizable in the way they conduct their lives. For instance, the Bank of China building in Hong Kong was constructed with a serious consideration of the Feng Shui core concepts.
Now, the practice of Feng Shui has evolved to show the relationship of humans to the energy coming from the earth. While the history of Feng Shui revealed that it gained a lot of influence and changes over time, you can see that the fundamental theories are still intact. This makes it an easy philosophy to follow regardless of your cultural background and beliefs.