Feng Shui: The Seven Different Schools

I am sure that most people have heard someone talk about Feng Shui, but what is it? Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese system which refers to the study of the natural and the created environments. To accomplish a balance that will impact the energy of a room, one should know about the seven schools of Feng Shui

There are various versions of Feng Shui, each influenced by culture, geography, and religion. Here are the seven predominant schools of Feng Shui:

1. Compass School uses the eight trigrams of the I-Ching. These are known as Pa Kua. These are based on eight main directions of a compass. Each direction is associated with a specific chi. For instance, southern is vibrant energy.

2. Form School utilizes four symbolic animals to identify the landscape. The Form School, along with the Compass School, increases chi in and out of the home.

3. Black Hat Sect uses a fixed entry point to determine the area. This is similar to the Compass School philosophy, however it has differences. The Black Hat Sect also includes psychology, Buddhism and basic design principles.

4. Eight Mansion School, also known as the 8 House Feng Shui, is based on the number of individuals residing in the home. That number is used to bring harmony and balance to the home. People who use this system have lucky and unlucky numbers, with the west numbers being 2, 6, 7, and 8 and the east numbers being 1, 3, 4, and 9.

5. Nine Star Key School uses stars to help identify lucky and unlucky days. This school of thought uses complicated math formulas to pinpoint when a person will get married and the astrological sign of the future marriage partners. It will also tell the practitioner how to live based on his home.

6. Flying Star Philosophy is the most common form of Feng Shui. This is based on astrology and numerology. It is difficult to understand and learn, however it is based on mathematical principals and is used to determine a person’s fate.

7. Four Pillars, the final school of thought, is not very common. Based on astrology tied to the person’s date of birth right down to the minutes, this form of Feng Shui is also used to determine a person’s fate.

You cannot mention the seven schools of Feng Shui without talking about the five elements of Feng Shui. After determining which school of thought is best for an individual, it is important to understand the five elements of Feng Shui (Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, and Wood). Balance and harmony can be made in the home through using these elements. If used improperly, however, the energy can be lessened or even destroyed.

All of the five elements is also connected with a direction:

Earth — Southwest

Fire — South

Water — North

Metal — West

Wood — East

Beauty And Balance

In a Feng Shui home, every rooms should accomplish a balance of these elements; some items may be larger and heavier than others. A chair might score 3 times more than a pillow,due to its size difference.

When you learn the seven schools of Feng Shui and the Five Elements and it is properly used, Feng Shui will brings both beauty, balance and harmony to your home or office.

Next post--Feng Shui and Your Home

Until then, I will talk to you later!