📚 A Rational View of Feng Shui
Feng Shui is an important part of traditional Chinese culture, containing ancient wisdom about living environments and natural patterns.
We should approach Feng Shui scientifically, taking the essence and discarding the outdated, using it as a reference for environmental planning and home arrangement.
Comfort, safety, and practicality of your living space remain the most important factors.
I. The 24 Mountains
What are the 24 Mountains?
The 24 Mountains are the core scale of the Feng Shui Luopan, dividing 360 degrees into 24 equal segments of 15 degrees each.
They consist of 10 Heavenly Stems (Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui), 12 Earthly Branches (Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai)
and the 4 Trigram corners (Qian, Kun, Gen, Xun), forming the foundation for determining directions and orientations.
How to Determine the 24 Mountains?
- Place the Luopan horizontally, align the red needle to true North
- Align the horizontal crosshairs with the main door or wall
- Read the vertical crosshair pointing direction as the facing
- Sitting = Facing + 180 degrees. E.g.: Facing Wu (180°), Sitting is Zi (0°)
- Full notation: XX Mountain XX Facing, e.g. "Zi Mountain Wu Facing"
Five Elements of the 24 Mountains
Earth Element
丑、艮、辰、未、坤、戌
II. Ba Zhai Feng Shui Auspicious Directions
Ba Zhai Fundamentals
Ba Zhai Feng Shui classifies dwellings into 8 types by orientation (Kan, Li, Zhen, Xun, Qian, Kun, Gen, Dui),
each with 4 auspicious and 4 inauspicious directions. Personal Life Gua is calculated from birth year and gender,
classifying into East Group and West Group. East Group people suit East Group houses, and vice versa - this is "Mansion-Life Matching".
Four Auspicious Directions
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Sheng Qi (Tan Lang Star): Great Auspicious, governs wealth, career, and helpful people.
The best direction in the house, ideal for master bedroom, living room, or main door.
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Yan Nian (Wu Qu Star): Medium Auspicious, governs health, marriage, and relationships.
Ideal for study, office, or elder room.
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Tian Yi (Ju Men Star): Minor Auspicious, governs health, recovery, and wealth.
Ideal for bedroom, kitchen, or dining room.
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Fu Wei (Zuo Fu Star): Neutral Auspicious, governs stability, peace, and support.
Ideal for entrance, storage, or study.
Four Inauspicious Directions
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Jue Ming (Po Jun Star): Great Inauspicious, governs financial loss, illness, accidents.
Never use for master bedroom, kitchen, or main door; suitable for bathroom or storage.
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Wu Gui (Lian Zhen Star): Great Inauspicious, governs conflict, fire hazard, theft.
Keep clean and tidy; a brass gourd can be placed as a remedy.
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Liu Sha (Wen Qu Star): Medium Inauspicious, governs romantic trouble, disputes, legal issues.
Not suitable for bedroom; green plants can be placed as a remedy.
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Huo Hai (Lu Cun Star): Minor Inauspicious, governs illness, arguments, financial loss.
Not suitable for living room; a fish tank can be placed as a remedy.
III. Correct Orientation Measurement
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Location: Best measured 3-5 steps outside the main door, away from metal objects and electronics.
Indoor reinforced concrete severely interferes with the magnetic field, making readings inaccurate.
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Posture: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hold the phone horizontally,
keeping it parallel to the ground at chest height.
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Alignment: Align the Luopan horizontal crosshairs parallel to the door frame,
face the door, and read the vertical crosshair direction.
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Multiple Readings: Take 3-5 measurements at different positions and average them.
Large discrepancies indicate magnetic interference nearby.
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Notes：Avoid measuring during rain, thunderstorms, or near high-voltage towers.
Calibrate your phone compass before measuring.
IV. Common Feng Shui Misconceptions
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Myth 1: South-facing is always best. Actually, different Life Gua types suit different orientations.
East Group suits North, South, East, and Southeast facing; West Group suits Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, and West facing.
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Myth 2: Inauspicious directions are completely unusable. They can be utilized with proper layout and remedies,
such as using them for bathrooms, kitchens, or storage rooms.
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Myth 3: Feng Shui determines everything. Feng Shui is only one of many factors affecting life.
Personal effort, healthy lifestyle, and a positive mindset are far more important.