**Feng Shui** (pronounced "fung shway") is an ancient Chinese philosophical system and [[Practice]] that focuses on harmonizing individuals with their surrounding [[Habitus|environment]]. The term translates to "wind-water" in English, reflecting its emphasis on the natural [[Flow]] of [[Energy]], or **qi (chi)**, in the environment. Feng Shui is rooted in Taoist principles and has been practiced for thousands of years in China, influencing architecture, interior design, urban planning, and even grave placement. ### Key Principles of Feng Shui: 1. **Qi (Chi)**: - Qi is the life force or energy that flows through all living things and the environment. Feng Shui aims to optimize the [[Flow]] of qi to promote health, prosperity, and well-being. 2. **Yin and Yang**: - Feng Shui seeks to balance the opposing but complementary forces of yin (passive, dark, feminine) and yang (active, light, masculine) in a space to create harmony. 3. **The Five Elements**: - Feng Shui incorporates the five elements—**wood, fire, earth, metal, and water**—to create balance. Each element represents specific qualities and interacts with the others in cycles of creation and destruction. 4. **Bagua Map**: - The Bagua is an octagonal map used in Feng Shui to analyze the energy of a space. It divides an area into nine sections, each corresponding to different aspects of life (e.g., wealth, health, [[Relationships]], career). By aligning the Bagua with a floor plan, practitioners can identify areas that need adjustment. 5. **Commanding Position**: - This principle suggests that key furniture (like beds, desks, and stoves) should be placed in a position that allows a clear view of the room's entrance, symbolizing [[Control]] and security. ### Applications of Feng Shui: - **Architecture and Design**: Feng Shui influences the orientation, layout, and design of buildings to ensure harmony with natural surroundings. - **Interior Design**: Arranging furniture, colors, and decor to optimize energy [[Flow]] and create a balanced, peaceful environment. - **Landscaping**: Designing [[Gardens]] and outdoor spaces to align with natural [[Energy]] patterns. - **Grave Placement**: In traditional Chinese [[Culture]], Feng Shui is used to select auspicious burial sites to honor ancestors and ensure their positive influence on descendants. ### Modern Interpretations: While traditional Feng Shui is deeply tied to Chinese cosmology, modern adaptations often focus on creating aesthetically pleasing, functional, and calming spaces. Many people use Feng Shui principles to enhance their homes, workplaces, and lifestyles, even if they don't fully adhere to its spiritual or cultural origins. Feng Shui is both an [[Art]] and a science, blending [[Intuition]], observation, and cultural traditions to create environments that support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. `Concepts:` #Science `Knowledge Base:`