🌿 Feng Shui: The Art of Wind and Water in Our Environment
Feng Shui, literally meaning 'wind' (風) and 'water' (水), is more than just these elements. It's a shortened form of "Zang Feng De Shui" (藏風得水), meaning "to conceal wind and obtain water." This ancient Chinese practice, thought to have originated from the "Book of Burial" (《金囊經》) in the 4th century CE, stands as a fundamental pillar of Eastern philosophy, much like physiognomy derived from Ma Yi Xiang Fa.
Historically, Feng Shui was primarily used to determine auspicious burial sites (Yin宅, Yin-style Feng Shui). However, its focus has increasingly shifted towards selecting and arranging living spaces (Yang宅, Yang-style Feng Shui), which directly impacts our daily lives.
Yin vs. Yang Feng Shui: What's the Difference?
- Yin-style Feng Shui: Primarily concerns ancestral burial grounds. It assesses auspiciousness by analyzing the shape of the mountains (object-form theory), the location of the vital energy point (form-qi theory), and cardinal directions (li-qi theory).
- Yang-style Feng Shui: Focuses on the auspiciousness of contemporary living spaces such as homes, offices, factories, apartments, and rural houses. Given its direct impact on human life, Yang-style Feng Shui holds greater significance in modern society.
The Hidden Secrets of Feng Shui in Major Corporate Headquarters and Royal Tombs
Unbeknownst to many, numerous corporations and historical sites have embraced the principles of Feng Shui. The locations of Korea's top four corporate headquarters, as well as the orientations of royal tombs and palaces, clearly reflect the deep influence of Feng Shui thought.
Historically, Samsung's former main building in Taepyeong-ro, Hyundai's office in Gye-dong, Hyundai Motor Company's building in Yangjae-dong, and LG's new headquarters in southern Seoul are all situated in locations considered auspicious according to Feng Shui principles.
Furthermore, traditional practices like the elaborate "Sangnyang-sik" (上樑式) ceremony when building a Hanok (traditional Korean house), placing turtle or dragon figurines on a building site, or erecting Bibo (裨補) temples to supplement deficient energy in specific areas are all forms of Bibo Feng Shui. These practices aim to ward off negative energy and attract positive influences.
🌀 Feng Shui Through the Lens of the I Ching: Finding Your Way in "Scattering"
We can interpret Feng Shui through the lens of the I Ching (《周易》), the essence of Eastern classics and a profound guide to the principles of change.
In the I Ching, Feng Shui (風水) corresponds to the 59th Hexagram, 'Feng Shui Huan (風水渙)', where the upper trigram is Wind (巽風) and the lower trigram is Water (坎水).
- The Meaning of 'Huan' (渙): The character 'Huan' means 'to scatter' or 'to disperse.' It describes the imagery of wind blowing over water, causing all things to scatter. This is in direct contrast to hexagrams like 'Tian Huo Tong Ren' (天火同人) or 'Ze Di Cui' (澤地萃), which signify gathering and unity.
The Hexagram Feng Shui Huan instructs us on how to respond during times of dispersal or fragmentation. For instance, the first line (初六) states, "Yong Zheng Ma Zhuang Ji (用拯 馬壯 吉)," which means, "It is auspicious to use strong horses when rescuing from danger or difficulty." This suggests that even in confusing and scattered situations, one must respond with courage and strength.
From a Feng Shui perspective, contemplating the meaning of 'Huan' allows us to understand how to identify unfavorable energy in a space or environment that causes dispersion, and how to apply appropriate "Bibo" remedies to transform it into a more positive direction.
✨ I Ching and Feng Shui: Timeless Wisdom for Modern Life
The I Ching and Feng Shui are far from outdated superstitions or relics of the past. These two classical Eastern traditions offer profound insights into how to find what is "auspicious (吉)" amid the ever-changing tides of the world, and how our living environment impacts our lives.
- Feng Shui: Provides practical wisdom for understanding the unseen energies of a space and creating an optimal environment to enhance our quality of life. Considering Feng Shui principles when choosing a home or office, or even when decorating, can bring comfort and positive energy into our lives.
- I Ching: Unveils the patterns of all changes in the world and guides human behavior within them. It offers philosophical lessons on how to wisely navigate situations of 'scattering' or 'chaos' and illuminates the path forward.
Ultimately, the I Ching and Feng Shui illustrate a fundamental principle of Eastern philosophy: that our environment and our mindset interact to shape our destiny.
I hope this post sparks your interest in the I Ching and Feng Shui, and encourages you to reflect on your own life and living spaces!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks a lot