In contemporary society, many households adorn their abodes with petite courtyards. Let’s delve into the Feng Shui layout of rural homestead courtyards. Rural Homestead Courtyard Feng Shui Layout.
1. **Gates and Pathways**:
– Gates come in five forms: main gates, mid gates, grand gates, side gates, and adjacent gates.
– The main gate refers to the outer gateway of the entire residence and holds paramount importance. It should face auspicious directions according to one’s fate.
– The mid gate, if present, lies within the main gate (modern apartment-style dwellings often lack this feature) and is of lesser significance. As long as it doesn’t align with adverse directions, it suffices.
– The grand gate pertains to the pathways leading to individual sleeping quarters and should also avoid unfavorable directions.
– Side gates are found in non-apartment-style homes with courtyards. Besides the main gate, all other gates are considered side gates. They too should face auspicious directions or support the elemental balance of the main gate to enhance overall auspiciousness.
– If a side gate faces an inauspicious direction, it’s advisable to keep it closed. If the left is auspicious, close the right, and vice versa, thus discerning auspiciousness and inauspiciousness at a glance.
– Adjacent gates refer to the doors of each sleeping quarter and should favor auspicious directions while avoiding adverse ones. If there are two adjacent doors, the left one governs prosperity, and the right one solitude.
2. **House Orientation**:
– The significance of house orientation is chiefly determined by the main gate. A favorable main gate augurs well for the entire household, and similarly, a propitious grand gate signifies auspiciousness for that particular section of the house.
3. **Design and Placement**:
– When constructing side gates, meticulous measurement according to Feng Shui principles is imperative for auspiciousness. The distance should be accurately determined from the eaves of the rear building to the front eaves of the front building. If the measurement is sixty feet, then the auspicious direction is ascertained, and the gate can be opened. Ideally, the gate should align with the earthly branches, symbolizing the path extending into the earth.
– It’s advisable to limit the number of gates, as excessive gates disperse the Qi of the residence, weakening its energy. Similarly, pathways should not form complex intersections, as they diminish the vitality of the dwelling. The orientation of the main entrance of a residence towards military or governmental offices, warehouse gates, temple gates, or city gates is deemed ominous. Similarly, a street directly facing the entrance is inauspicious, and a street curving in front of the main entrance like the shape of a bow also signifies ill fortune. Door arches should not overshadow the main hall; otherwise, they may attract official troubles but not necessarily harm to children.
Regarding the terrain of a dwelling:
1. A favorable dwelling often has a square and pleasing foundation. If the building appears too tall, wide, narrow, or irregularly shaped, it may result in financial loss, damage, or harm to occupants.
2. Residences of the wealthy and prestigious typically feature dignified and well-proportioned structures, with sturdy walls, bright interiors, and orderly layouts. Conversely, small, irregularly shaped, or poorly constructed houses may lead to sickness and misfortune.
3. Dark, overly spacious, or cramped dwellings are considered haunted. If the building lacks uniformity, with broken decorations and exposed structural flaws, financial decline may ensue.
4. A low and spacious dwelling often indicates prosperity for one generation.
5. Offices favor spacious and grandiose settings, while residences prefer moderate sizes and concentrated layouts for auspiciousness.
6. Architectural principles differ for bedrooms and living rooms; while living rooms may be expansive, large bedrooms are not advisable.
7. Ideally, the front of a residence should neither be too high nor too low, ensuring harmony between guests and hosts. Excessive height may invite exploitation, while excessive proximity may lead to discomfort or pressure.
8. The height of the front eaves should be lower if the burden is near and slightly higher if it is slightly distant.
9. A residence should have more inhabitants than buildings, as this augurs well for the occupants. Conversely, a surplus of buildings over inhabitants signifies unfavorable dominance of structures over people. 10. The edifice, akin to an aged domicile flanked by newfound structures, bespeaks of the owner’s foresight, or lack thereof. Should innovation grace the center while tradition clings to the periphery, prosperity and fortune shall dance in tandem. Conversely, should antiquity adorn the flanks with novelty reigning at the core, the augury becomes a tapestry woven with threads of both fortune and misfortune. Yet, the quality of materials shaping the edifice foretells the vigor of its steward; where timber thrives, the master flourishes, but where insects bore through hollowed wood, a specter of infirmity looms.
11. A domicile, its chambers harboring mere echoes of occupancy, betokens the dispersion of its master’s essence. Where beams hang precariously and pillars lean askew, the fate of the household hangs by a thread, its narrative fraught with discord.
Three: Incense, ancestral altars, and sacred abodes all converge as sanctuaries of lineage and reverence. The orientation towards propitious cardinal points yields blessings, while misaligned offerings beckon misfortune.
Four: The placement of the bed holds sway over dreams and maladies alike. To avoid the weight of beams overhead portending nocturnal disturbances, let metallic supports lie at the bed’s rear, where yin resides. Conversely, to alleviate ailments of the respiratory tract, let metallic support grace the bed’s fore, where yang reigns. Align the bed with the auspicious orientation of the room’s entrance, shunning direct confrontation with the door. For in the realm of domiciliary auspices, the bed, above all, bears the mantle of fortune, its alignment a beacon to the divine.
Five: The vanity, a fixture of boudoirs, finds harmony when aligned with the bed, lest it oppose and provoke nocturnal apparitions or ailment.
Six: Where foulness festers, so does fortune when tethered to the auspicious cardinal points. Thus, the arrangement of latrines and pits, while emblematic of squalor, becomes a vessel for the transmutation of misfortune into prosperity. Should the auspicious realm lie westward, then the south becomes the sanctum of discord. Conversely, where eastward lies inauspicious, let the southeast harbor the pit, thus veiling affliction with the cloak of providence. In both rural and urban settings, if a pit is dug in the place where a residence is located, it is considered unfavorable for the homeowner. Even a small pit can lead to official disputes or harm to life. If the pit is located in the northeast, it affects the development of literary talent; in the southwest or due west, it causes illnesses among mothers and young daughters; in the north, it affects the eyes of the homeowner; in the east or southeast, it can lead to widowhood or loneliness; and in the northwest, it is detrimental to the elderly.
Regarding buildings:
1. The upper floors represent heaven, while the lower floors represent earth. It is favorable for the upper floors to be smaller and the lower floors to be larger; conversely, if the upper floors are larger and the lower floors are smaller, it is inauspicious. If the doors of the upper and lower floors are aligned in the same direction, it indicates conflicts with relatives or invites theft. If the height of the upper floor is higher than that of the lower floor, it may lead to suicide or drug abuse by the residents.
2. Buildings should not be constructed directly above the main house or above the guest room. It is preferable to build the upper floors above the rear hall (referring to a single-story house).
3. If a high-rise building is located next to a house, it is unlucky for the occupants of the house to the left or right, depending on which side the high-rise is located.
4. The number of rooms in a house should preferably be odd rather than even. Three rooms are auspicious, while four rooms are inauspicious. If there are five rooms, one of them will remain unoccupied, and if there are seven rooms, two of them will be inauspicious.
Regarding the arrangement of courtyards in rural areas:
1. The orientation should be auspicious (according to Xuan Kong Feng Shui). There is an ancient saying that the direction of the head star can indicate disaster or misfortune.
2. The shape of the house should be square and avoid missing corners. A square shape signifies stability and balance.
3. Avoid straight alignments. Direct alignments of the front door with balconies, windows, opposite front and back doors, or balconies and windows are considered major Feng Shui taboos.
4. The size of the doors should be based on auspicious measurements, and in terms of furniture, the size should be based on auspicious measurements as well.
For auspicious events, it is advisable to consult auspicious dates for groundbreaking and renovation. In selecting auspicious moments, one should consider the celestial alignments such as Tian De, Yue De, Tian De He, Yue De He, Tian She, Tian Yuan, Yue En, Si Xiang, Shi De, San He, and Kai Ri. It is advisable to avoid unfavorable times like Yue Jian, Tu Fu, Yue Po, Ping Ri, Shou Ri, Bi Ri, Jie Sha, Zai Sha, Yue Sha, Yue Xing, Yue Yan, Da Shi, Tian Li, Si Fei, Wu Mu, Tu Fu, Di Nang, and Tu Wang Yong Shi Hou. For favorable undertakings, one may consider the auspicious practice of erecting pillars. When it comes to rural villa courtyard feng shui, there are 17 taboos to observe: 1. There should be no ponds on the right side of the courtyard. 2. Avoid placing large stones or water tanks on the right side. 3. Avoid creating artificial landscapes or rockeries on the right side (without water, or with a variety of flowers and plants). 4. Do not build a garage on the right side of the courtyard (if San Sha is present in this direction, there may be incidents in the home). 5. The main gate should not be on the right side of the courtyard. 6. Do not have a wood-burning stove on the right side of the courtyard (the stove represents the tiger’s mouth, with the mouth facing inward, which may lead to miscarriage in women). 7. Avoid high power lines on the right side of the courtyard (use small mirrors at a 45-degree angle above the door, covered with red paper for reflection). 8. There should be no electrical appliances outside the main gate of the courtyard (it may harm the eyes and cause high blood pressure). 9. Avoid having a protruding roof outside the main gate of the courtyard (it may lead to disputes, financial losses, high blood pressure, and bleeding). 10. The right side of the courtyard outside the main gate should not be higher than the front. 11. Avoid having a flower rack in the Bai Hu direction of the courtyard (Bai Hu movement indicates trivial matters and many small troubles). 12. Do not place large stones in the center of the courtyard (may lead to hidden abdominal diseases, tumors, or cancers, and children may become mischievous). 13. It is advisable to keep the courtyard free from discarded and unclean debris, as it may disrupt the harmony of the home.
14. Avoid placing random or loose stones in the courtyard, as they may detract from its aesthetic appeal and pose tripping hazards.
15. Refrain from cluttering the courtyard with wood shavings or debris, as they can detract from its beauty and create an untidy appearance. Avoid placing stone mills or mortars in the courtyard, as they are believed to have adverse effects on health, career, and family fortune.
16. Do not install motors or vibrating machinery on the right side of the courtyard, as they may cause respiratory difficulties or exacerbate heart conditions. For instance, a washing machine in this location could lead to breathing issues and heart problems.
17. Avoid constructing toilets or warehouses on the right side of the courtyard, as it is considered inauspicious and may lead to disobedience in children.
Feng Shui Layout and Taboos for Rural Courtyards:
1. Avoid planting large trees in the courtyard, as they can obstruct light and airflow, leading to dim and damp conditions inside the house. Additionally, the roots of tall trees may penetrate the house’s foundation, compromising its stability and safety.
2. Limit the use of paving stones in the courtyard, as an excess of them can diminish the vitality of the soil and create an imbalance of yin and yang energies. Moreover, during hot summers, the stones can absorb and radiate heat, creating uncomfortably high temperatures in the courtyard.
3. Consider incorporating a water feature into the courtyard, as it can enhance the overall harmony and balance of the space. Pay attention to the placement of water features behind the residence to harness their beneficial effects. Throughout history, the Chinese have always favored the tranquil embrace of mountains and rivers when choosing locations to build their homes. However, the positioning of water behind a residence goes against this traditional wisdom, evoking a sense of unease in the occupants. Therefore, meticulous attention to detail is paramount when arranging the presence of water. If a pond is to be placed directly behind a dwelling, it is advisable not to excavate deeply into the ground but instead to construct elevated walls to form the pond’s perimeter. Care must be taken to ensure the pond is not too close to the residence, as the sunlight may refract and cast dizzying reflections onto the ceiling, unsettling the inhabitants.
Furthermore, the aesthetics and practicality of the surrounding walls play a crucial role in harmonizing the environment. For a predominantly square-shaped residence, it is advisable for the walls to adopt curved or circular contours, in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, to achieve a sense of unity between heaven and earth. Walls should not taper sharply towards the front and widen at the rear, as sharp angles or corners facing directly towards a residence can provoke discomfort and psychological unease for its occupants.
Additionally, the landscaping of the courtyard should strive for balance and consistency. A southern-facing courtyard offers abundant sunlight, fostering a serene atmosphere conducive to relaxation and sunbathing. However, while sun-kissed foliage may appear aesthetically pleasing, it is preferable for sunlight to illuminate from the rear to avoid harsh glare. Conversely, a northern-facing courtyard, unless in close proximity to the house, casts shadows that do not interfere with the residence, offering the opportunity to bask in the beauty of a lush, verdant landscape. If the garden is not meticulously crafted by experts, the positioning of trees should be the primary consideration, complementing the vacant spaces of the land. This approach mitigates the risk of significant errors. It is generally advised against incorporating central courtyards in regular yards. Recommended reading: Feng Shui for Rural Dwellings.
