Feng Shui
Feng Shui is an ancient Eastern philosophy that aims to create harmony in an environment and enhance good fortune through specific practices. Rooted in the principles of the I Ching, Feng Shui involves using a map called the bagua, which divides life into nine areas, each corresponding to a direction, element, color, and animal. These areas encompass various life aspects, such as career, relationships, and health. Central to Feng Shui is the concept of chi, or life energy, which can be optimized by arranging objects in a way that promotes a smooth flow of energy.
The practice gained popularity in the United States during the 1990s, transforming into a widely recognized method for improving personal spaces for better relationships, finances, and overall well-being. As it evolved, Feng Shui influenced architecture and interior design, leading to a booming industry. However, it has faced criticism from skeptics who view it as lacking scientific backing or demonstrable benefits. Despite differing opinions, many continue to explore Feng Shui as a means to create a balanced and harmonious living environment.
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Subject Terms
Feng Shui
The ancient Chinese practice of arranging objects in an environment to maximize good fortune
Feng shui became popular in the United States and Canada at a time when interest in Eastern philosophies and the New Age movement was growing.
Feng shui is part of an ancient Eastern philosophy based on principles from the ancient divination text the I Ching. The practice of feng shui is designed to create harmony in an environment and to increase good fortune through careful implementation of feng shui formulas, guidelines, and instructions. The principles of feng shui can be found on a map called the bagua, with nine directions that represent all areas of life: north (career), south (fame and reputation), east (health and family), west (creativity and children), northeast (knowledge and self-cultivation), northwest (helpful people and travel), southeast (wealth and prosperity), southwest (love and relationships), and center (linking the eight aspects). Each location on the map is symbolically associated with an element (fire, water, metal, wood, earth), certain shades of color, and an animal (phoenix, dragon, turtle, tiger). Symbols, numbers, the concepts of yin and yang, and Chinese astrology are all part of the practice of feng shui.
It is thought that by using the bagua to arrange objects in order to maximize chi, or life energy, one enhances the harmony in one’s environment and thereby the quality of one’s life. When the flow of energy is just right, good fortune is maximized. If there is an excess or lack of chi, then good fortune is diminished. For example, placing red objects in the southern part of a room should increase fame since the color red is associated with the south and the attributes of fame. Feng shui can be applied to the location of a building or house, to rooms in a house, to an office, and even to the arrangement of items on an office desk.
Impact
Feng shui gained widespread popularity in the United States in the 1990s. The Westernized version of creating a balanced, comfortable, and harmonious living environment to solve problems with relationships, finances, or even health by simply rearranging furniture or adding or subtracting objects such as mirrors, plants, or wind chimes seemed attractive to those seeking quick fixes to life’s problems. Feng shui’s growing appeal spawned an entire industry, with numerous publications on the art and its incorporation into television design shows. In broader applications, it began to influence architecture and building construction. In North America, feng shui has become more than just a method of creating comfortable surroundings in harmony with the environment; it has evolved into a personal philosophy for creating a better life. However, it is often criticized by skeptics as a pseudoscientific or quasi-religious practice with no demonstrable benefits. There is no evidence that the claims of feng shui have any effect outside of a person's personal preferences or feelings.
Bibliography
Cheng, Wangheng. Chinese Environmental Aesthetics. Routledge, 2015
Hale, Gill. The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui. London: Hermes House, 1999.
Lam, Kam Chuen. Feng Shui Handbook: How to Create a Healthier Living and Working Environment. New York: Henry Holt, 1996.
Too, Lillian. Essential Feng Shui: A Step-By-Step Guide to Enhancing Your Relationships, Health, and Prosperity. New York: Ballantine Wellspring, 1998.
Wang, Qijun. Vernacular Architecture: Domestic Spaces of Ancient China. CN Times Books, 2015.