Mindmap & Background Research: Field Research

What is 'Feng Shui'??

Feng shui is an ancient science, which developed over three thousand years ago in China. It is also considered an art that hosts knowledge on how to balance worldly energies. Feng shui is believed to help maintain good health and fair fortune for people inhabiting the world.

'feng' means wind while 'shui' means water which are two fundamentals of life energy
studies about life energy
also known as part of Chinesse philosophy or metaphysics
to study how the movement of life energy in our environment and how the design of buildings and interior affects subtle manner
use positive chi to improve individual's good luck or success
also an art of judging people's life by observing and analyzing the environment of he/she works

History of Feng Shui

Feng shui is also known as 'Kanyu' which is the art of placing and situating a building so that it is in harmony with its surroundings. According to feng shui, cultural and social issues are influenced by natural, metaphysical and cosmological factors. To use feng shui one needs to understand the influence of cosmology on earth, should have knowledge of how astronomy and astrology influence the placing of buildings. It is important to understand the Confucian classics, understand the weathering process and understand the forces of nature acting on buildings and their environment. It is also essential to have knowledge on magnetic fields and how they influence man, knowledge on how to place buildings in order to tap chi or the energy of the earth, understand the geographical land forms like hill, valleys, flat land, etc. One must understand how environmental factors influence buildings externally and internally and must know where to build buildings and which part of the structure should face which direction.

The ancient practice of feng shui began in the West Han dynasty around the third century BC in China. Feng shui believes that the earth is a living thing and has life and energy. The energy or chi of a site depends on its topography and its physical surrounding. A site with revitalizing energy is healthy and a site with bad energy could be damaging to those who lived on it. Ever since then it has been incorporated into traditional Chinese architecture and has been followed by the rich and poor alike. In ancient China, a city was planned in concentric rectangles surrounded by walls surrounded by lakes, hills, valleys, gardens, courtyards and parks. The Chinese tried to ensure that both the natural and the built environment were planned to enhance already present positive energies. These were then landscaped according to Taoist ideas of Yin and Yang, void and solid, water and hills.

Principles of Feng Shui

Observe keenly and become more aware of your surroundings. Always follow the rules of nature.
As feng shui deals with wind and water. It is also symbolic of the energy flowing around the place we live in. Therefore, feng shui is a means of harnessing this energy.
In feng shui, it is important to harness positive energy and allow it to flow freely. It allows good flow of energy, removes all obstacles, and creates more open space
Ensure that there is no obstacle, especially when you enter a room, as it will obstruct the smooth flow of energy through the room.
According to feng shui, when you arrange your room, it should be done in such a way that you can see anyone who is entering the room. If it is not possible in a particular room, then the place a mirror opposite the door so that it will enable you to see whoever is entering the room.
Get rid of clutter. Feng shui preaches that clutter can drain your energy and dampen the best of your spirits.
Good flow of positive energy/ good chi is very important. You can renovate your house, realign furniture or refurnish your home to ensure that fresh water and air flow about your home.

Feng Shui Symbols

Good Luck Coins: Gifting someone three coins tied with a red ribbon represents sharing wealth and luck. This act brings good luck and positive feng shui to both the giver and the receiver.
Three-Legged Moon Frog: The three-legged frog, with a coin in its mouth, should be placed inside at the front of your house and should face the house. This will improve your luck and prosperity. This is a very important symbol of wealth and fortune. This symbol is also associated with long life.
Dragon Turtle: A golden dragon turtle will make your business prosperous and improve relationships with those around you. Place a golden dragon turtle in the prosperity corner (South-East) of your office facing the door. This feng shui symbol is the best representative of a long and prosperous life.
Golden Cat of Abundance and Protection: This is a unique feng shui statue. On one side of this two sided cat, the cat is smiling and holing out its left paw up which represents good fortune and attracts money. On the other side the cat is frowning and is holding a broom in its paw. This side symbolizes protection and the broom is used to sweep away your troubles.
Golden Pigs: A pair of golden pigs brings great prosperity and happiness to a household. This is a symbol of honesty, initiative and diligence. It is best to use golden pigs when you are setting up a business or a new home.
The Three Star Gods: The Three Star Gods are the most sacred of all feng shui deities since they represent 'Health, Wealth and Longevity'.
Bells: Hang small metal bells outside your door and ensure that they face the north and the west. Bells bring in prosperity. You can place bells, made of crystal and ceramic, in other parts of the house.
Wealth Bucket: Fill a container made of metal with coins and place it in the North West corner of your home or office. Do not display the container; keep the container inside a cabinet or draw.
Indoor Plants: Place indoor plants in the south east corner of your home to increase wealth.
Fish: According to feng shui goldfish are descendants of Koi Carp and can live for over a hundred years. Placing three gold fish in a bowl brings prosperity. It is believed that statues or pictures of eight Koi Carp can also bring good fortune into your home or business.

Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion

I have doing my research about 'feng shui' by visiting Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion. So this is some 'feng shui" principles that been applied to the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion:

the best position for a house to be build is "off the dragon's back" which is meaning the house must be faces to the sea.
to have a hill behind it for it's protection.
to be on an inclined or slope
ensures that the feng shui 'heart' is located in the middle of the central courtyard, thereby retaining the point from which the greatest 'Chi' (vortex) energy emanates.
bejeweled with materials which constitute the basic, 'must-have' feng shui elements of metal, timber, water, fire and earth, the mansion is a virtual buffet of building components, which send out a virtual clarion call to the Gods of prosperity, health and good luck.
the most obvious thumbprints of feng shui on the Blue Mansion are the propitious proverbs calligraphically inscribed over doorways throughout the building; as well as the intricate, decorative works and detailing which reveal scenes of Gods and myth. The art works were designed to surround the household with loveliness and grace.

This is some image that explain more about 'feng shui' principles that been applied to the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion: