the modern dragon feng shui

This Feng Shui glossary provides an overview of the key terms and concepts in Classical Feng Shui, offering insights to help you understand your reports and apply its principles in your home or workspace.

Ancient Chinese Words

 There are two 'Romanised  Systems' for ancient Chinese words and both are used today: 

• Wade-Giles: This older system was once widely used in the West, particularly before Pinyin became standardised. For example in Wade-Giles, the energy is written as 'Chi'  (hence, 'chi' is still common in some English texts).
• Pinyin: This is the Romanisation system used for Mandarin Chinese in mainland China and globally. In Pinyin, the energy is written as 'Qi' and pronounced like 'chee'.

Bagua (Ba Gua)

A map used in Feng Shui to analyse and harmonise energy in a space. It consists of nine areas, each representing a specific aspect of life, such as wealth, health, and relationships.

Cardinal Directions

In Feng Shui, the cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West) and their intercardinal counterparts (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest) play a crucial role in determining energy flow. Each direction is associated with specific elements, colours, and aspects of life, influencing how energy is harnessed and balanced within a space.

Celestial Animals (Four Celestial Guardians)

In Feng Shui, the Celestial Animals, Green Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Red Phoenix symbolise specific directions and aspects of protection and balance. They are used to assess the environment and ensure harmony around a property.

Chi (Qi)

The life force or energy that flows through all living things and environments. Feng Shui aims to balance and enhance 'chi' to promote well-being.

Chi's Mouth (Da Kou)

Also known as the 'Mouth of Chi,' this refers to the main entrance of a building or space. It is considered the primary point where energy (chi) enters and circulates within the environment. A clean, unobstructed, and welcoming entrance is essential to attract beneficial 'chi' and ensure a positive flow throughout the space.

Clutter Clearing

The practice of removing unnecessary items from a space to improve energy flow and create a sense of clarity and balance.

Command Position

The optimal placement of furniture (especially beds, desks, and stoves) to allow clear views of the entrance, creating a sense of control and security.

Confucius

A Chinese philosopher (551–479 BCE) whose teachings emphasise morality, social harmony, and ethics. While Confucianism is not directly linked to Feng Shui, its principles of order and respect for natural laws complement Feng Shui's focus on balance and harmony. Confucian ideas often inform cultural practices and values in traditional Chinese life.

Cures (Remedies)

Adjustments or enhancements made in a space to balance energy, such as adding mirrors, plants, or water features.

Double-Terminated Crystals

Crystals with points on both ends, used in Feng Shui to enhance energy flow. These crystals can transmit and receive energy simultaneously, making them powerful tools for clearing, balancing, and amplifying 'chi'.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

In Feng Shui, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are considered a source of disruptive energy that can impact health and well-being. EMFs are generated by electrical devices, power lines, and wireless technologies. Feng Shui recommendations include reducing exposure by repositioning devices, using protective materials, and maintaining a balanced energy flow.

Eight Mansions (Ba Zhai)

A traditional Feng Shui system that divides people and properties into eight groups based on their Ming Gua (Life Gua) and compass directions. It identifies favourable and unfavourable directions for individuals, categorising houses as either East Group or West Group types. The Eight Mansions system is used to optimise energy flow and align occupants with their most auspicious directions.

Eight Trigrams (Ba Gua)

Symbols representing natural forces, such as Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Wind, Water, Fire, Mountain, and Lake. Each trigram consists of three lines, either broken (yin) or unbroken (yang), and they form the foundation of the Bagua Map and are essential to Feng Shui theory. The trigrams symbolise the interactions and transformations of energy in nature and human life. Each trigram is also associated with a Ming Gua (Life Gua), which is used to determine an individual's favourable and unfavourable directions based on their birth year.

Feng Shui Compass (Luo Pan)

A specialised compass used in Feng Shui to determine the precise orientation of a building or space and analyse its energy. The Luo Pan includes concentric rings that provide detailed information about directions, trigrams, elements, and other Feng Shui principles, helping practitioners assess and align spaces effectively.

Five Elements (Wu Xing)

The five phases or elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are used in Feng Shui to balance energy and create harmony in spaces. These elements interact through three key cycles:

• Generating Cycle (Sheng Cycle): Each element supports and nourishes the next (e.g., Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth).
• Controlling Cycle (Ke Cycle): Each element controls another to maintain balance (e.g., Water extinguishes Fire, Fire melts Metal).
• Weakening Cycle (Wu Cycle): Each element weakens or diminishes another in a reverse sequence (e.g., Wood is consumed by Fire but not entirely destroyed, Metal is rusted by Water).

Flying Star Feng Shui (Xuan Kong Fei Xing)

An advanced system that uses the Lo Shu Square to evaluate the changing flow of energy over time in a space to optimise the harmony and prosperity of a property. It divides time into 20-year cycles and assesses annual and monthly shifts in energy to enhance wealth, health, and relationships.

Annual Afflictions

In Feng Shui, 'Annual Afflictions' are specific negative energy influences that shift location each year based on the movement of the yearly Flying Stars. These include the Tai Sui (Grand Duke Jupiter), Sui Po (Year Breaker), San Sha (Three Sha)  and the Five Yellow (Wu Wang): 2 Star (Sick Star), 5 Star (Accident Star), 3 Star (Misfortune), 4 Star (Affair). Each affliction carries distinct challenges and should be carefully addressed to minimise disruptions in areas such as health, relationships, and finances. Remedies typically involve avoiding major disturbances in afflicted areas and applying appropriate cures to neutralise their effects.

Heaven's Gate

A concept in Feng Shui refers to the North West direction, where the veil between heaven and earth is believed to be at its thinnest. This area brings opportunities, protection, and blessings from the heavens. The North West area must be kept clutter-free and tidy at all times. 

House Types

In Feng Shui, house types refer to specific energy patterns created by their orientation and layout. Key types include:

• Wan Shan Wan Shui (WSWS): 'Facing Mountain and Facing Water,' these properties are considered highly auspicious, promoting balance between stability and abundance.
• Reverse Houses: Homes where the main door faces a direction opposite to the flow of energy, often requiring specific Feng Shui adjustments.
• Double Sitting Houses: These homes have dual stabilising energies (mountain influence), emphasising security and support but potentially lacking vibrant flow.
• Double Facing Houses: Properties with dual forward-facing energies, which can amplify opportunities and active flow but need grounding for balance.

I Ching (Yi Jing)

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text and one of the oldest classics in Chinese culture. It provides guidance through a system of hexagrams formed by six broken or unbroken lines, representing yin and yang. The I Ching forms the philosophical foundation for Feng Shui, particularly in the use of trigrams and understanding natural cycles and energy dynamics.

Lo Shu Square (Luo Shu)

An ancient 3x3 grid of numbers that forms the basis of Flying Star Feng Shui. It is used to analyse time-based energy changes and harmonise environments.

Mirror Placement

The strategic use of mirrors to reflect and amplify positive energy, redirect Chi, or expand small spaces.

Moongates

Moongates, with their curved edges, gently guide qi and prevent the harsh energy flow caused by sharp angles. In Feng Shui, they are vital as symbolic and energetic gateways, marking transitions between spaces. Influenced by Daoist and Confucian principles, they embody the harmony between heaven and earth and reflect life's cyclical nature.

Mountain Support

A Feng Shui principle referring to the presence of solid, stable energy behind a person or structure, symbolised by a mountain. In practice, this can mean a physical hill or building behind a property or a sturdy wall or headboard behind a bed. Mountain support provides a sense of security, stability, and protection.

Poison Arrows

Harsh, pointed energy created by sharp corners, beams, or angles that 'point' towards a person or area. These can be mitigated using Feng Shui cures.

Property Locks

In classical Feng Shui, a 'Property Lock' refers to an energetic condition where a property experiences reduced auspiciousness. This can occur temporarily due to annual cycles or over longer periods tied to the 20-year Flying Star cycle. During a Property Lock, residents may face challenges to their money or relationships. Remedies involve bringing a minimum of 115 litres of moving water to the sitting or facing side of the property. 

Radio Frequencies (RFs)

Similar to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), radio frequencies (RFs) are another form of disruptive energy in Feng Shui. These frequencies, generated by wireless communication devices such as mobile phones, routers, and radio towers, can interfere with the natural energy flow. Feng Shui practices aim to minimise exposure and balance the energy of spaces impacted by RFs.

Sha Chi (Shar Chi)

Negative or harmful energy is caused by sharp corners, clutter, or poor design. Feng Shui remedies are used to soften or neutralise 'Sha Chi'.

Sheng Chi

Translated as 'life-giving energy, 'Sheng Chi' represents vibrant, positive energy that promotes growth, health, and prosperity. It is the type of energy Feng Shui aims to cultivate in a space, often associated with fresh air, natural light, and harmonious design elements.

Space Clearing

A Feng Shui practice that involves removing stagnant or negative energy from a space to create a harmonious and vibrant environment. Techniques for space clearing include smudging with sage, ringing bells, using essential oils, or employing crystals to cleanse and revitalise the energy.

Three Lucks

In Feng Shui, the Three Lucks are the key influences on a person's life. Balancing these three aspects helps create a harmonious and prosperous life.

• Heaven Luck: Determined by one's destiny or fate, influenced by birth and cosmic forces.
• Earth Luck: Shaped by the environment, including the home and workplace, which Feng Shui seeks to optimise.
• Man Luck: Governed by a person's actions, decisions, and efforts in life. 

Taoism (Daoism)

An ancient Chinese philosophy and spiritual tradition that underpins many Feng Shui principles. Taoism emphasises living in harmony with the 'Tao', which means 'The Way' or 'The Path.' The Tao is the source of all existence and represents the natural order of the universe. Concepts such as Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and the flow of Chi are deeply rooted in Taoist philosophy, providing the foundation for Feng Shui practices.

Wind Chimes

A popular Feng Shui tool used to attract positive energy and disperse negative energy. Wind chimes are often placed in areas where energy is stagnant or needs activation, with the material and number of rods chosen based on specific Feng Shui needs.

Wu Wei

A Taoist principle means 'effortless action'. In Feng Shui, Wu Wei reflects the idea of working with the natural flow of energy rather than forcing outcomes, promoting harmony and balance in life and the environment.