The ancient art of wind and water

Henriette Lamprecht – It is an ancient art and science, formalised in China more than 3 000 years ago. In literal translation of feng shui means wind (feng) and water (shui) which in Chinese culture are associated with good health, thus good feng shui came to mean good fortune. Feng shui contains elements of various branches of scholarly study, explains Uschi Kuhn, a feng shui consultant. This includes physics, philosophy, astronomy, and astrology. “It is related closely to the Taoist vision and understanding of nature, particularly the idea that the land is alive and filled with chi or energy. Since good fortune comes in many forms, including better health, a successful career, or fulfilling love life, feng shui practice includes detailed tips for almost every area of your life.”The main goal in feng shui, no matter which feng shui school you choose to work with or which country you life in, is to attract, direct, and nourish the chi (energy) flow inside your home in a way that supports a good flow of chi inside your body. A good flow of vibrant chi is necessary to support successful productivity and good health, says Uschi.Concepts shared between feng shui and Taoism include the polarities of yin and yang—the polar opposites that cannot exist without the other—and the theory of the five elements. These are founding principles of feng shui. “The core of the Taoist theory of yin and yang is the belief that a balance of the feminine (yin) and the masculine (yang) is necessary to maintain a good flow of chi and a content, successful life.” According to Uschi the Chinese Taoist system believes balance and equilibrium between opposites is the desirable state. Discord occurs when one principle outweighs the other. By tradition, feng shui practice holds that all things consist of varying degrees of the five elements: Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each is represented by certain colours and shapes that can help you bring harmony to a particular space.The five elements can interact in any number of ways, some constructive and some destructive.“In the constructive cycle, for example, water provides moisture for trees (wood) to grow; wood then becomes a fuel for fire; the residue of fire is ash or soil; the ash/soil is the essence of earth minerals that form metals; and as metal cool, they allow water to condense, completing the cycle.“In a destructive cycle, on the other hand, metal can cut wood; and wood can grow over and consume soil, water kills fire.”The feng shui energy map, or Bagua, is an octagonal grid containing the symbols of the "I Ching," the ancient oracle and text that feng shui is based on, explains Uschi. Knowing the Bagua (pronounced "bag-wha") of your home and of the rooms within it will help you understand the connection between different areas and specific aspects of your life experience. “The Bagua is essentially a mapping chart by which you can assess and improve how different parts of the home affect specific areas of your life such as love, health, or wealth. You can use it to determine how to position furniture and other objects within the room for the maximum positive benefit. “It is used by first orienting yourself to the main entrance to the house, or the entry to an individual room, then using the map to identify the different key areas of the space. Then, specific items can be positioned in those key areas to enhance the feng shui.”From the use of aquariums and mirrors to attract prosperity to the use of crystals, fountains, or clocks for other personal goals, there are many ways you can improve the energy in your home or office with solid, good feng shui practices, says Uschi. “Aquariums are a potent feng shui cure to attract abundance and wealth. The location of the aquarium should be in the career area (North) in the lounge or dining room with a specific type and number of fish.”Mirrors are called the aspirin of feng shui and represent the water element for the career area, while crystals bring strong and healing energy of the Earth element. Water fountains introduce the powerful energy of water, a feng shui symbol of wealth and prosperity (Southeast) and also auspicious for the career area.The horse brings the energy of success, fame, freedom and speed, and is used in the fame area of the Bagua (South), as well as the career area. Peaches as a symbol of immortality, prosperity, longevity and wealth are placed in the health area (East).Pomegranates symbolise fertility, happiness in the family, as well as good luck for one's descendants, while apples focus on good health. “The air, colour and light of an office or home environment have a huge impact on your health as you spend most of your waking life in such environment.” uschikuhnnam@gmail.com

The ancient art of wind and water

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Republikein 2025-05-02

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The ancient art of wind and water

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