In the realm of rural construction, the nuances of geomancy extend beyond urban landscapes, demanding meticulous attention. Let us delve into the intricacies of rural domicile arrangement and its feng shui principles.
**Rural Domicile Feng Shui Arrangement**
1. **Environmental Sensitivity**: Constructing a dwelling in rural environs necessitates astute awareness of the ambient conditions. It is prudent to steer clear of areas steeped in heavy Yin energies, such as burial grounds, as prolonged habitation amidst such somber surroundings could permit the infiltration of Yin energies into the domicile, thereby jeopardizing the health and fortune of its occupants. Particularly vulnerable is the realm of financial fortune, susceptible to precipitous decline and potential financial losses.
2. **Locational Deliberation**: Careful consideration must be bestowed upon the selection of a site for habitation. One should amble around the prospective locale, discerning the presence of gentle breezes, for it is these gentle zephyrs that foster the auspicious gathering of Qi, augmenting the fortune of the domicile’s inhabitants. Establishing a domicile in locales assailed by tempestuous winds poses peril to the vitality and fortune of its occupants. Prolonged exposure to such adverse conditions may inflict considerable detriment upon health and fortune alike, potentially precipitating financial losses or other untoward incidents. Hence, vigilance is imperative to avert such adversities. In the construction of houses, it is advisable to avoid replicating foreign architectural styles. Instead, it is preferable for houses to be constructed in a square shape. This notion aligns with the Chinese adage “Tian yuan di fang,” which encapsulates the concept of balance and harmony. A square-shaped house minimizes the presence of missing corners, thereby promoting the accumulation of positive energy, conducive to the harmonious acceptance of energy from all directions. Such harmonization positively influences the overall well-being and fortune of the household occupants, fostering stability and prosperity.
Regarding the Feng Shui arrangement of courtyards in rural residences:
1. Family positioning:
– Head of the household: Northwest (Six White Metal Star)
– Mistress of the house: Southwest (Two Black Earth Star)
– Eldest son: East (Three Jade Wood Star)
– Second son: North (One White Water Star)
– Third son and subsequent sons: Northeast (Eight White Earth Star)
– Eldest daughter: Southeast (Four Green Wood Star)
– Second daughter: South (Nine Purple Fire Star)
– Third daughter and subsequent daughters: Within the 45-degree range to the west (Seven Red Metal Star)
It is imperative to avoid placing elements associated with fire in the central axis and four corners, including the entrance, restroom, septic tank, kitchen sink, bathtub, gas stove, as well as peripheral waste disposal areas and incinerators. In any domicile, with the exception of bedrooms, living rooms, reception rooms, studies, collections, and flat beds, safety considerations are paramount. Notably, the following areas require particular attention in their configuration to ensure safety:
1. Toilets:
a. With storage for waste: situated towards the east, southeast, and northwest-northwest.
b. Septic tank type: positioned towards the east-northeast, east, southeast, and northwest.
c. Flush-type: arranged towards the east-northeast, east, west-northwest, southeast, and south-southwest.
2. Gas stoves: ideally placed towards the east, southeast, south, and northwest-west.
3. Sink area: best located towards the east-northeast, east, southeast, and northwest.
4. Bathtub water heater: recommended placement towards the east, southeast, south, and northwest-west.
5. Septic tanks (similar to toilets): ideally positioned towards the east-northeast, east, southeast, and northwest.
In protruding areas, the most effective orientation aligns with the astrological birth stars or the nine stars’ birth star orientations. However, caution is advised against orientations towards the northeast and southwest. Structures protruding less than one-fourth of the overall structure, except those in the northeast and southwest, can be overlooked. It is inauspicious to have architectural protrusions or open entrances in one’s astrological birth star orientation. For instance, residing in the southeast brings great fortune, but it is unfavorable to have an entrance in this direction.
For multi-story buildings, rooms with a protruding shape are considered ominous. Second-floor constructions should surpass the central line of the house, leaning towards the east, west, or northwest. A balcony in the southeast is considered auspicious.
The optimal layout for rural residences, according to the principles of Feng Shui, reached its zenith during the Tang Dynasty. Through the sagacious governance of successive rulers before the Tang, the ebbs and flows of dynasties were observed, leading to the conclusion that “water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.” In economic terms, the foyer of a home refers to the initial spatial threshold upon entering the main door, serving as the foremost barrier. Its significance is second only to the entrance itself, as the foyer serves to enhance visual aesthetics, harmonize the internal and external energy fields, ward off negative influences, and gather auspicious energy. Like the human voice, it has long been esteemed by practitioners of feng shui. When designing a foyer, attention should be paid to avoiding excessive narrowness, the presence of reflective mirrors, overhead beams, antiquated structures with numerous perforations, martial statues, sharp-edged or menacing ornaments. The design should prioritize clear lines and simplicity. If a shoe cabinet is to be installed, it should not be too tall, ideally ranging from 60 to 80 centimeters in height. Additionally, when incorporating dynamic elements into the foyer decor, the following considerations must be observed: 1. In the northern sector, avoid motifs depicting horses as they belong to the fire element associated with the south; the clash of fire and water in this context invites calamity. Similarly, in the northeast, avoid symbols of sheep, as per Feng Shui principles, the earth element represented by oxen attracts unwarranted misfortune. In the southwest, refrain from using tiger motifs or ornaments, as the saying goes, “Where the tiger and monkey meet, the glint of weapons and bloodshed is seen.” In the western sector, avoid rabbit motifs, as indicated in Feng Shui texts, “The pond is replenished, the bridal chamber welcomes a new groom each night.” In the northwest, dragon motifs are ill-advised, as noted in the classic text “Residence Feng Shui,” “Where the dragon and dog intersect, even the mightiest dragon limps.” In summary, foyer Feng Shui favors gentle curves over direct confrontation, ensuring its efficacy in dispelling negative energies, gathering auspicious chi, and welcoming prosperity and harmony. The domicile’s confined dimensions deem it unsuitable for an antechamber, which would only exacerbate the sense of spatial confinement and induce a feeling of oppression. When selecting auspicious adornments, it’s advised to avoid those that clash with one’s Chinese zodiac sign. For instance, individuals born in the Year of the Rat should refrain from adorning with equine motifs, while those born in the Year of the Ox should eschew ovine embellishments. The living room, serving as the nexus of domestic activity, is the juncture where movement meets tranquility. It stands as the focal point of the domicile, embodying the essence of its occupants’ character and fortune. As the ancients professed, grandeur in the parlor is unnecessary; the essence lies not in the abundance of blossoms but in their fragrance. Given its voluminous utility and frequent use, the living room has always been a focal point in the realm of Feng Shui and interior design. It should ideally be situated at the front of the residence rather than at the rear, with ample natural illumination being imperative. According to the principles of Feng Shui, the living room should be well-lit yet retain an air of intimacy, devoid of intrusive passageways bisecting its center. This design aims to cater to both guests and residents, facilitating unrestricted observation while maintaining a sense of privacy. When it comes to color selection, one should consider the homeowner’s astrological elements, aligning the primary hues with the cardinal directions. In Feng Shui, the cardinal points of East, South, West, and North, along with the intercardinal points of Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest, dictate the auspicious color schemes for residential spaces. The eastern-facing living room is ideally adorned in a hue reminiscent of maize, as per the principles of Eastern geomancy, where wood corresponds to the East and earth represents wealth for wood. Yellow, symbolizing earth, therefore serves to augment the homeowner’s prosperity. In contrast, the southern-facing living room is best suited in a palette dominated by the purity of white. The South, being associated with the element of fire, according to the principles of generation and control, sees metal as its financial source, with white being the representative color. Thus, white not only mitigates the fervor of fire but also invites fortune into the household. As for the western-facing living room, shades of green and azure prevail, complemented perhaps by the verdant presence of foliage or the inclusion of wooden furnishings. Since wood fosters metal, and green embodies the essence of wood, the sunlight in a westward abode can be supplemented by lush vegetation, thereby enhancing the occupants’ financial, career, and educational prospects. In the northern-facing living room, hues of pale rose or blush dominate. The North, governed by water, finds its financial prowess in the flames of the South, with red symbolizing fire. Adorning the northern space with red achieves a harmonious balance between water and fire, thus auspiciously influencing the homeowner’s financial and romantic fortunes. For living rooms oriented in other directions: yellow is recommended for the southeast, blue for the southwest, green and red for the northwest, and a blend of pale rose and azure for the northeast. Recommended reading: Comprehensive Guide to Residential Feng Shui.
