FENG SHUI

Two days ago I saw my building mate hammering something on his door a small plate, octagonal in shape, and made of brass. I asked what was it all about. He said, it’s a feng shui, and even emphasized the correct pronunciation, “fung shway.”

I received an email sometime ago explaining the symbolic meaning of the ancient Chinese practice believed to help improve life status. Literally translated, it means wind-water in English. Many claim that this tradition is the practice of arranging things to help one achieve goals. They also believe it is very important in choosing a place to live, it has positive effects on health, it seeks to promote prosperity, and personal relationships.

Curious enough, I did some readings and found out that it has five elements: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth and external environment. Feng shui considers yin as the feminine and passive energy side, while yang is masculine and hot side. It also gives importance to eight separate directions: north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest. An expert on this practice is known as geomancer. who consults individual’s Chinese horoscope to find out what is best for the person. Using some complicated mathematical calculations the geomancer determines, which arrangements of objects are the best to achieve harmony.

Its applications is not limited to internal features, but encompasses outside elements, too. It can be used in choosing the right location, architectural and construction aspects of houses and buildings, furniture styles and colors.

On a side note:

In Singapore, officials have changed the direction of the world biggest observation wheel because feng hui masters said it was taking good fortune away from the city. The Singapore Flyer, which opened earlier this year, had originally revolved so that it rose to face the business district and went down overlooking the sea. However, masters of the ancient Chinese art of geomancy convinced the wheel’s management to reverse it so that it was not taking fortune away from the city. A number of feng shui masters approached them and said that the Flyer is on the perfect site to pick up the good “qi” (energy) flowing into Singapore, but it was going in the wrong direction. It was going against the sun and taking fortune away from Singapore.