Many people confuse Feng Shui (Environology) with cultural and religious practices. That is why some people consider it a “Chinese” practice while others dismiss it as mere superstition that goes against their religious beliefs.

Do you believe there are spirits at a T-junction?

Homes with the number 4 is seen as unlucky whilst the number 8 is perceived to be very good?

Why do south facing houses sell like hot cakes?

These are just a few of many such questions often asked. In the following pages, I will explain the basis of Feng Shui relating to the questions above.

Feng Shui originated about 5000 to 6000 years ago. Rather than pure superstition, it is in fact a combination of many fields of knowledge, such as mathematics, astronomy, physics, physiology and so forth. It is quite remarkable – unbelievable, even! – that people could gain such an understanding of such complex knowledge thousands of years ago.

Feng Shui was practiced since the Zhou dynasty by the second Zhou emperor, Zhou Wuwang who reigned from 1046 BC to 1043 BC, the longest reigning emperor in Chinese history. Interestingly, he shifted the Zhou’s capital city three times in his tenure and many have accredited the practise of Feng Shui to his success.

However, the practice of Feng Shui was limited only to imperial use whilst the general public’s limited understanding of Feng Shui caused the practice to slowly fall to belief and superstition. The science and art of Feng Shui was abused and misunderstood by false practitioners looking to make a quick buck. Thus fuelling further skepticism that it was a legitimate scientific practice.

Back in those days, there was no scientific equipment or tools, except for a magnetic compass and methods for time-keeping, for example. Yet the ancient sages were able to record their observations meticulously and form hypotheses and postulations to explain these natural phenomena.

Part of the practice of Feng Shui is derived from the ancient book of changes, the i-Ching. This book contains a series of 64 hexagrams and poems that explain the way life, the universe and the patterns of change over time.

There are mathematical secrets hidden within these hexagrams and their arrangements. The Feng Shui compass or ‘lopan’ contains the hexagrams arranged in a very unique sequence. Few people, if any, understand the formula that was used to create the permutations. No one even knows how the inventor, King Wen of Zhou, derived that formula. Most Feng Shui practitioners were trained by simply memorizing the sequence and accepting their accuracy at face value.

There must be some substance to this formula. If it is pure hogwash, Feng Shui would quickly fail – how else can they provide advice that produces consistent results?

The duplicability, predictability and reliability of the i-Ching principles are strong arguments to support our view that this is a science. It may be little understood, but it is a science nonetheless.

MOTHER NATURE AND FENG SHUI: THE IMPORTANCE OF FENG SHUI IN THE IMPERIAL COURTS

The Zhou dynasty introduced the notion that the ruler is a “Son of Heaven” who was given the divine Mandate of Heaven to govern the people. When a ruler is dethroned, it was because he lost that Mandate – by the occurrence of natural disasters and unexplained phenomena. This was how they justified the demise of the preceding Xia and Shang dynasties.

As divinely mandated rulers, the emperors had to display seemingly magical powers to prove their influence. This would keep the masses subservient and happy. Therefore, the rulers often surrounded themselves with a retinue of advisors who are experts in various fields, including Feng Shui.

The ability to forecast weather patterns aided agriculture – farmers relied on Feng Shui to help them plant the right crops and harvest them at the right time. Poor information could lead to poor harvests, which could lead to famine and subsequently popular revolt.

Feng Shui experts or sages made accurate forecasts based on their knowledge of astronomy, mathematics and careful study of observations made by previous scholars. Knowledge from the book of i-Ching was particularly helpful.

Emperors were keen to know the fate of their dynasties and often sought the advice of sages. Several conversations, purportedly between the emperors and sages, have been recorded in ancient texts. Some sages held fast to their principles and willingly risked death by revealing all they knew. In ancient China, the bringer of bad news was often killed, perhaps they foresaw their own demise and therefore accepted it with resignation.

Emperors were also suspicious of their advisors, fearing that they would turn against their ruler and advise the enemy. Usurpers to the throne often used prophesies by Feng Shui sages to justify their rebellion.

Many Feng Shui experts do not live to a ripe old retirement age as they were often assassinated or executed. Especially when they asked to retire early!

HOW DO YOU DEFINE TRUE FENG SHUI?

Feng Shui is actually the science of the environment. Hence, we have coined the term Environology to help shed the old image and encourage people to examine Feng Shui from a more scientific and analytical perspective.

Next month, I shall elaborate more about this commonly heard and seen cultural belief.