Feng Shui Principles in Traditional Chinese Architecture
Feng Shui Principles in Traditional Chinese Architecture
Feng Shui, historically known as "Kan Yu," is the study of geographical influences on human well-being. The ancient Chinese believed that the interaction between humans and the earth's environment, including its climate and geography, profoundly affects people's lives.
Chinese vs. Western Architecture: In China, homes are traditionally not built tall, not due to an inability to construct high buildings, but because they were considered unsuitable for living. On the other hand, Westerners build stone houses instead of wooden ones. This is not because they preferred stone, but because Chinese architectural techniques, with their complex structures, were beyond their understanding. Their stone houses, including the iconic churches, are essentially a simplified derivative of Chinese architecture.
Ancient Wisdom on Housing: In Lüshi Chunqiu, an ancient Chinese text, it is stated: "This is the calamity of improper balance between yin and yang, so the ancient kings did not live in grand halls or build tall towers." The ancients emphasized harmony between yin and yang in housing. Houses were believed to have a life force, and only homes that nurtured life were deemed suitable for habitation. If a house was too large, it was overly yin; if it was too tall, it was overly yang. Excess yin could lead to a cold body, while excess yang could lead to weakness.
Western stone houses, especially churches, seem more suited for housing the dead than the living. The ancients primarily used wood for building homes, as wood is associated with growth and vitality, fostering prosperity in both the household and its inhabitants. Stone, being of the yin nature, was used for tombs, as it was believed to have a negative impact on living people. A well-constructed house was cool in summer and warm in winter.
High-Rise Living and Feng Shui:Modern high-rise buildings often have poor Feng Shui. People accustomed to living in two- or three-story houses may feel uneasy and even physically weak when visiting higher floors, such as the tenth. Therefore, living in excessively tall buildings is generally not recommended.
Sleeping Directions:When it comes to sleeping, the direction matters. It's best to avoid sleeping with your head facing north, as this direction is associated with heavy yin energy. The head is where yang energy converges, so facing it towards the north depletes yang energy. A bed should be placed where sunlight can reach it, as this brings a balance of energy. If the bed never receives sunlight, the room may become too yin, which is not conducive to health.
Children and Environment: Children's poor sleep and eating habits can be closely related to environmental factors like architecture, noise, and light disturbances. A lack of outdoor space has a significant impact on children. Even raising a dog indoors can lead to behavioral issues, let alone a sensitive child. In the past, children would play outside as soon as the sun rose and rarely had trouble sleeping or eating. Nowadays, sleep and eating problems are common among children, along with frequent crying and restlessness.
Trees and Building Proximity: A large tree directly in front of the house can be harmful, especially if it's too close to the door, as it can bring negative energy.
Impact of Feng Shui on Health: Feng Shui significantly affects health, often more so than diet. Some houses cause headaches as soon as you move in, which disappear when you leave. This kind of issue cannot be resolved with medicine or acupuncture—it requires moving to a different house.
The most noticeable health issue caused by poor Feng Shui is headaches. High-rise buildings, especially those near highways, railways, prisons, or areas with heavy traffic, often lead to Feng Shui-related illnesses. Additionally, poor interior design, such as placing a bedroom door facing the bathroom or kitchen, especially an open kitchen, can also cause headaches.
Addressing Feng Shui Problems: Feng Shui-related illnesses are incurable by conventional means; they require changes in the Feng Shui itself. High-rise buildings, due to their height, often lack connection to the earth's energy. The tallest buildings and towers can disrupt the natural energy flow, leading to negative effects. For example, the Da Bao'en Temple in Nanjing is an example of a structure with harmful Feng Shui, as its height and lighting have disturbed the surrounding environment. Temples, in general, are considered to have poor Feng Shui, often comparable to burial grounds.
Choosing the Right Environment: The best Feng Shui is natural and adheres to the principles of the Nine Palaces (a traditional Chinese method of dividing space). Rural environments, with their natural landscapes, often have the most beneficial Feng Shui.
Temples and Other Religious Structures: Ancient people knew the dangers of staying in temples overnight, preferring even to sleep in graveyards instead. Temples, especially those of Guandi (the God of War), mountain gods, and earth gods, are not as dangerous but should still be avoided as places of residence. Churches, too, are best kept at a distance, as the heavy energy inside can overwhelm sensitive individuals, sometimes causing them to break down emotionally upon entering.
Living in High-Rise Buildings: Lower floors, such as the first, second, or third, are preferable. For example, a villa with three floors is ideal, with the first and second floors being the best. Higher floors, like the fifteenth, often result in poor sleep quality due to the lack of connection with the earth's energy.