Feng Shui History ? The Art and Science of 5,000 Years
Some say that Feng shui history can be traced back to 3,000 years ago, while others say there are records that show it was in practice even up to 5,000 years ago in China. Whether 3,000 or 5,000, it is astonishing to see how the strength of this powerful body of knowledge has spread around the world and how widely used it is to this very day.
Feng Shui (pronounced fung-shway) means wind water but in ancient China, this art was once known as Hum Yue which translates to heavenly path and earthly path respectively. Both these terms describe the power of harnessing energy or chi in the environment.
The Early Years
Feng Shui history books such as The Book of Songs or Shih Ching, first introduced this ancient wisdom and spoke of how it should be practiced. They were documented over many years beginning in the ninth century BC. During the Han dynasty in China, around 206 BC to 224 AD, the Record of Rites or Li Chi, compiled by Kuo Po, talked about how it could be applied to graves. It was not until the Sung dynasty, around 960 AD to 1279 that Wang Chi documented on how it could be applied to house building.
Feng Shui Today
Feng shui history credits one particular man for it’s development over the years to what we know it to be today, Kuen Chok. Kuen Chok mastered the art during the Tang dynasty and published many books on its practice, sharing the knowledge that we use to this day.
If we were to visit Hong Kong, we can see how popular and practiced this study is today as it was many years ago. From millionaire tycoons to family homes, everyone has jumped on the bandwagon and reaped the benefits of this ancient science. In fact, it is fascinating to see how the landscape and geography of the island of Hong Kong itself has been molded with these principles in such a way as to contribute to the wealth and prosperity of the city with the mountains behind and the harbor in front along its financial strip.
In Hong Kong today, experts in the field are often consulted in the preliminary stages of buildings and houses to ensure that they are built on and with the most auspicious placements and spaces. Some indications of this can be seen in eight sided rooms in offices and even a building with a large hole through the middle in which to permit any negative energies to flow through its frame so as not to affect its inhabitants. Using what they’ve learnt from feng shui history and applying it in the early stages of planning, they eliminate the need to later correct any negative energy captured in the framework of the building or house which can be quite costly when you consider the construction of a large building.
Feng shui history has taught us a lot about using the energies of the environments we live in to live more happier, profitable and satisfying lives in this modern world. It is through the natural energy of the universe that we ultimately attain this balance of power and harmony to give ourselves the best opportunities for love, prosperity, success, health and happiness.
Lin Mai is a feng shui enthusiast and author. Visit Way to Feng Shui for more insight into feng shui history and how you can successfully apply it to your modern day life.
Feng Shui: Living In Harmony (Full Program)
http://bit.ly/fsprgm Feng shui, literally translated from the Chinese, means “wind, water” and traditionally symbolizes the space between heaven and earth the environment where we live.
The philosophy recognizes that house and garden should work together relative to life, health, wealth and happiness. In Hong Kong, the capital of feng shui, the ancient knowledge survived the Cultural Revolution that swept over Mainland China during the 60s and 70s.
This film looks at the roots of feng shui with masters demonstrating how the ancient Chinese science is still deeply rooted in the everyday lives of people living here. To them feng shui is much more than simply a new trend in interior design. The influence feng shui has on their lifestyle and the mentality of Hong Kong people is told through comical, unusual and everyday stories. For example, you will see an apartment building, in the Aberdeen quarter, that has 400 square meter hole in the front, so that the “mountain dragon” still has a view of the ocean.
We will observe well-known feng shui at work. This spans from the lot selection, the positioning and the conception of the house, straight down to details about the interior design. They offer their expertise on the best positioning for the front door, the suitable color of the walls and floors, right up to the positioning of a desk.
We are introduced, step-by-step, to the terms and categories of feng shui. On our excursion through Hong Kong, we visit the Wong Tai Sin monastery, which holds some of the most beautiful and oldest temples left untouched by the communistic cultural revolution. Priests and monks talk about the spiritual and scientific elements of feng shui. Their conversations will not only provide a closer look into the philosophical structure, but also the history, right down to the roots of feng shui.
Duration : 0:58:8