Sages and scholars of the past recognised the presence of energy surrounding us and attempted to catalogue it. The result would be the same as if we were describing mobile technology to one who lived 100 years ago. While we accept the scientific theory behind it, we may not have seen or grasped electromagnetic currents that drive the technology. In contrast, little is done to confirm or debunk feng shui as a science.

It is possible that it was way ahead of its time as there were no scientific methods then to prove its efficacy and literacy and knowledge were restricted to the elite. First and foremost I would need to clear up some of the most common feng shui beliefs.

It is the best to buy a house/property that is facing the south, is it true?

This principle is applicable in China only due to the geography and weather.

Firstly, the position of the mountain ranges in China are in the north. According to feng shui principles, a house or property should not face the mountain or higher landmass. While feng shui principles apply anywhere at any time, we cannot assume Malaysia has the same landform as China.

Basically, the main mountain range of Peninsular Malaysia is in the centre; therefore, if you are living in the East Coast, the mountain is in the west and vice versa.

Secondly, we must understand the movement of the earth throughout the year. As China lies between latitudes 18° and 54° North, most of the country is at or north of the Tropic of Cancer. During winter in China, the furthest point that sunlight could reach it is the Tropic of Cancer, which is at the southern part of China. Hence, having a house or property that faces south to get maximum heat was practical. As Malaysia is a tropical country, we have more than enough sunlight throughout the year.

If the left side is the ‘Green Dragon’ and right is the ‘White Tiger’, will these animals harm me?

In actual fact, these two animals are used to represent the direction and there should be four in total to explain the four directions and the elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). ‘Green Dragon’ represents the East, ‘Phoenix’ represents the South, ‘White Tiger’ represents the West and ‘Turtle’ represents the North.

Why did they use animals to represent the four directions? We must understand that in ancient society, most people were illiterate and couldn’t understand the meaning of directions and the five elements. Therefore the easiest way to tell them was to link it pictorially and then relate it to their daily life, naturally, animals were chosen.

Currently, feng shui practitioners may not understand the reasons behind it and advice on not placing the living hall or bed at the right-hand side because the tiger will eat you up.

If I don’t have a solid wall behind my seat, would hanging a picture or painting of mountain work the same way?

Land masses have energy and we know this through our understanding of gravitational effect: the higher and bigger the mountain, the greater the force it exerts downwards and sideways. This exertion of energy is inexhaustible, continuous and cumulative and as it pushes downwards and sideways, the energy is transferred through solid matter in the mountain. This energy transfer is conducted through a matter of similar rigidity and according to the Law of Thermodynamics – energy travels from a higher energy level to a lower energy level. Therefore, the live energy will stop or disperse when it meets a matter of a different rigidity such as water (refer to picture below).

Now, this scientific theory can be applied when there is a natural highland mass to exert the earth energy. The earth energy will stop when it meets a river and this reflected energy is a form of homogenous energy which we should tap. Would a picture or painting of mountain be able to produce the same earth energy to benefit you?

The literal translation of Feng Shui is Wind and Water, must I have a water feature at home?

As the ancient texts by Guo Pu mentions, this energy is affected by wind and water. Thus, rivers stop and deflect it and the energy then travels sideways or backwards. Water has a different rigidity to solid ground and thus does not transfer the energy across. Imagine holding the end of a 12-inch ruler to your ear and tapping the ruler on the other end. You can hear the tapping loudly and clearly. The energy moves rapidly through the solid form of the ruler. Hold the ruler further from your ear and the tapping drops audibly as air has a different rigidity with the energy not transferring as readily.

In valleys, rivers tend meander and wind. When earth energy reaches this natural barrier, it will either pool and collect or be dissipated, depending on the curvature of the river. If the river embraces the land (we call it the “concave side”), the energy pools. On the opposite side, the energy dissipates.

We can see the effects on the fertility of the soil with vegetation on the concave side typically greener and lush compared to the convex side. Geologists argue that soil fertility is due to the deposit of nutrients and minerals from upstream on the concave side but is that all there is to it?

Villages usually have their humble beginnings along rivers, which makes sense as rivers are important for irrigation and transportation. As villages grow into towns and cities, an interesting trait is seen, the concave side is more prosperous and better developed with cities moving business and commerce.

It makes sense that somehow, there are beneficial energies here and the buildings have managed to tap into it to make it a harmonious living space.