In Feng Shui philosophy, the orientation of a house holds significant importance. Are you familiar with the principles governing the Feng Shui of dwellings? Let’s delve into the following discourse to gain insight into this matter.
1. The ideal orientation for a residence is depicted by the presence of the Azure Dragon to the left, the White Tiger to the right, the Vermilion Bird in the front, and the Black Warrior to the rear. The terrain should slope downwards towards the east and upwards towards the west, with a lower front and a higher rear. Such a configuration signifies prosperity and abundance, fostering auspicious energy flow within the household.
2. Prudence dictates that houses should steer clear of being situated directly opposite major intersections, temples, shrines, or governmental establishments. Furthermore, locations devoid of vegetation, former battlegrounds, or military encampments, as well as those directly facing water currents or longitudinal mountain ridges, should be avoided. Failure to heed these precautions may disrupt familial fortunes and jeopardize physical well-being.
3. The alignment of trees surrounding a dwelling plays a pivotal role in determining its auspiciousness. Trees inclined towards the house augur well, while those facing away portend adversity. A water source flowing towards the east brings immense fortune, while a prominent thoroughfare in the vicinity promises affluence. A north-south elongated configuration with an east-west orientation denotes good fortune. Conversely, a west-east elongation with a north-south orientation may initially bring misfortune but ultimately leads to prosperity.
4. It is inauspicious for bridges to converge from all directions, as this signifies erratic fortunes and instability. Additionally, it is unfavorable for other structures to directly confront rooms within one’s abode.
5. It is imperative that the rear of the house remains shielded from the onslaught of roads or waterways, while the front and rear grounds ideally assume either a square or circular layout to invite prosperity and good fortune. In front of the house, if there is a semicircular pond, it signifies abundant wealth; if the pond is strip-shaped, also known as a “jade belt,” it indicates both wealth accumulation and promotion, ensuring prosperity and longevity. Avoid triangular or irregularly shaped houses as they have sharp angles, which can lead to mental tension for the residents. According to classical theory, such structures can cause continuous family disputes and even divorce, with the degree of inauspiciousness being inversely proportional to the angle. It is also inauspicious to have a house built next to a flyover because such houses are subjected to significant vibrations, loud noises, and heavy pollution, which can lead to nervous exhaustion. Living near a flyover’s bend is particularly ominous, akin to being cut by a sickle.
When it comes to the best feng shui for houses:
1. The external environment: When buying a house, one must consider not only the house itself but also the surrounding environment. Observing neighboring buildings, rivers, or alleys for any sharp angles causing negative energy, and checking the roads for any polluted air is crucial. This is what is referred to as magnetic field induction in the study of Yangzhai. A location that poses threats of good or bad fortune is certainly not a good place to live and is not suitable for physical and mental growth.
2. The aura of the house: Ancient texts say, “The fortune of a Yangzhai is seen first in its aura. Although the house is old, if its aura is bright and brilliant, the family will prosper. Although the house is new, if its aura is dull, the family will fail.” Additionally, when selecting a house, there are some specific methods to consider, listed as follows:
– The wind should not be too strong. When purchasing a building, one should first pay attention to the wind conditions. If one notices a vigorous wind near the house, it is inadvisable to purchase it, for even if the house indeed harbors auspicious energy, it will be dispersed by the strong winds. Feng shui places utmost importance on “hiding wind and gathering qi,” indicating that places with strong winds are certainly not auspicious! The most desirable living environment is one where gentle breezes blow softly, bringing refreshing air, as this aligns with the principles of feng shui. Ample sunlight is crucial. Residential feng shui emphasizes both sunlight and air quality, so when choosing a residence, not only should the air be fresh but sunlight should also be abundant. Avoiding contamination at the center is imperative. This refers to the central area of the house being unsuitable for use as a toilet or located at the rear half of the house’s center, directly aligned with the main entrance, as this could potentially lead to financial loss. Avoiding straight roads is also crucial in feng shui. Feng shui principles suggest “preferring curves and avoiding direct thrusts” because direct thrusts come with abrupt force, and if the residence is in the line of fire, the consequences can be dire. Therefore, when selecting a building, it is advisable to first check whether there are straight roads in the front, back, left, or right of the house. The terrain should ideally be flat. If the house is situated on a slope, extra caution should be taken when inspecting the surrounding environment, as from a feng shui perspective, houses on flat terrain are more stable, while slopes harbor many dangers. Avoiding “street bows” is also recommended. The term “street bow” refers to a curved street in front of the house, curving directly toward the main entrance. Feng shui terms this as “sickle cutting the waist,” and such houses should be avoided for purchase; it is auspicious to steer clear of them. Finally, one should avoid “heavenly slaying qi.” The term “Sky Cleaver” refers to a narrow gap between two tall buildings; as if a blade were to slice through the air, hence the name Sky Cleaver. If a house faces the Sky Cleaver, there may be ominous consequences: the narrower and longer the gap, the more sinister; the closer the distance, the greater the peril! Therefore, it is not advisable to choose a dwelling facing the Sky Cleaver, but if there is another building behind to fill the gap, it may be acceptable.
Regarding chimneys, aside from the principles of Feng Shui, purely from the perspective of environmental hygiene, areas with dense chimney clusters are unsuitable for habitation, as the coal smoke and ash emitted from the chimneys are sufficient to jeopardize health.
The Feng Shui of a house and the taboos of its main entrance are crucial aspects of a residence, akin to the throat of a person, they must be flawless. It is taboo for the entrance to be low and dim, as it invites labor and calamity. Outside the door, it is taboo for neighboring houses’ ridges, corners, eaves adorned with animal motifs, or roads to directly confront it, as it can lead to marital discord and harm to children. If the entrance is spacious and bright, surrounded by main roads or flowing water, prosperity and virtue will flourish for both men and women. The precise orientation of the entrance depends on the distribution of nearby buildings, to prevent foul air from entering with the wind and to avoid facing other households’ doors and windows, thereby preventing inadvertent or curious observations of each other’s privacy, which could lead to discord among neighbors, as the Feng Shui classics say, “Facing each other’s doors is akin to mutual cursing,” taking such factors into account. Before the abode lies an aesthetic imperative: shattered remnants, jagged edges, peculiar trees, or lifeless arbors must not reside. Such elements impede the aesthetic essence and evoke psychological suppression. Furthermore, the arterial path should refrain from converging directly upon the threshold, for it invites swirling eddies of dust, carrying an array of pathogens within. Adornments of towering foliage at the entrance are ill-advised, for they obstruct sunlight and hinder the dispersion of stagnant air within. Direct alignment of the entryway with utility poles fosters psychological barriers. Likewise, confronting staircases heralds disarrayed footfalls, unsettling the psyche. Most unfavorable is the confrontation with lavatories, where filth festers, emanating odors of decay and stagnation. Interior doorways should not align directly with lavatories, and kitchen portals must eschew such confrontations altogether. Equally, the entrance should not confront the culinary domain. When the threshold is in direct opposition to the kitchen entrance, it breeds an internal discord, inviting calamity upon the occupants. Considering the kitchen’s role as the crucible of sustenance, it represents a locus of fervent activity, incompatible with the solitary yin. A remedy lies in the installation of a screen at the entrance, deflecting the clash of energies. Moreover, the ingress must not oppose windows, for it serves as the conduit for the flow of Qi, analogous to a mouth for the dwelling. When aligned harmoniously, the ingress and the window facilitate the unobstructed flux of vitality and prosperity. Finally, the portal should not be overly constricted; a spacious threshold is conducive to the free flow of energy, while a narrow passage invokes a sense of confinement, hindering the reception of abundance and vitality. In Feng Shui, the entrance serves as the mouth of Qi, and it’s advised not to be too narrow. The wider the entrance, the more auspicious it is considered. Avoid circular archways for small to medium-sized residences. Such designs, reminiscent of ancient temples and underground structures, are deemed unsuitable for dwelling. Recommended reading: Understanding the Feng Shui of Homes.
