Feng shui practitioners have made significant theoretical contributions to the field, making feng shui principles more accessible to the general public. However, one major drawback is the lack of professionalism among feng shui practitioners in Hong Kong. Most of them lack proper lineage and theoretical inheritance, and many of the theories they promote are either self-made speculations or insights written by professional writers. These misconceptions have greatly misled the general public. Here are some examples:
1. **Commercial Exploitation of Feng Shui Items:**
Many feng shui theories emphasize the significance of items like Five Emperor Coins, crystal caves, money trees, and wealth basins. In reality, these are merely commercial gimmicks created by businesses in Hong Kong. Feng shui practitioners often promote these items for their own profit, but traditional feng shui classics do not mention the effectiveness of these decorations. The belief in their magical properties is baseless.
2. **Overemphasis on Kitchen and Toilet Door Directions:**
While the orientation of the kitchen and toilet doors is important in feng shui, some practitioners exaggerate its significance. The actual direction of these doors is just one aspect; the overall orientation of the house plays a more vital role. Hanging wind chimes in specific places, as suggested by some feng shui practitioners, to counter the negative effects of the toilet door facing the kitchen door is mere superstition.
3. **Misconceptions about Wealth Directions:**
Some feng shui books claim that diagonal doorways represent wealth directions, but this is a fabrication without basis in traditional feng shui theories. Genuine feng shui principles focus on the auspicious locations based on various methods such as Xuan Kong, Eight Mansions, and Flying Stars. Diagonal doorways have no inherent feng shui value; they are simply aesthetically pleasing.
4. **Yearly Feng Shui Adjustments:**
The idea of making annual feng shui adjustments is propagated to generate business for practitioners. In reality, if a house is properly aligned according to feng shui principles, there is no need for frequent adjustments. Historic buildings like the Forbidden City in Beijing have maintained their layouts for centuries without constant alterations.
5. **East-Facing Houses as Unlucky:**
The belief that east-facing houses are particularly lucky is not universally true. The orientation of a house involves complex considerations beyond a simple east or west-facing direction. The claim that east-facing houses automatically bring prosperity is unfounded and can misguide people in their real estate choices.
6. **Reliance on Intuition:**
Feng shui is not solely about what feels visually pleasing. Aesthetics do not always align with good feng shui. A house might not look luxurious but could have an excellent feng shui layout, leading to the success of its inhabitants. Relying solely on intuition can lead to misconceptions about the true principles of feng shui.
In summary, it is essential for individuals to approach feng shui with critical thinking and consult knowledgeable practitioners who have a genuine understanding of traditional principles, rather than falling for misconceptions propagated by unscrupulous sources.
