Feng Shui Explained? LO9369

huanga@mit.manukau.ac.nz
Fri, 23 Aug 1996 14:17:02 NZST-12

Replying to LO9328 --

Stephen asked:
> Can anybody relate to me more about the Japanese concept of Feng Shui? I
> think it means "placement".

'Feng shui' is the Chinese science of geomancy, and is a
complicated system of location or placement, divination and magic
based on the five elements, the ba gua (eight trigrams) and the theory
of the flow of 'qi' or energy in the landscape.

'Feng' means 'wind', 'shui' (pron. shwei) means 'water', together
they mean 'landscape'.

"The basic concepts of geomancy originated in China during the Shang
dynasty (16th to 11th centuries BC) and was practiced...in laying out
palaces and cities and in carrying on daily activities" (Kodansha
Encyclopedia of Japan)

The Japanese equivalent is 'Kaso'.

Books are written on the subject, and my own knowledge is much too
meagre to explain further here, but I hope the definition has been
helpful. Maybe one of our Asian colleagues could help if more is
required.

Regards,
Annette

--
Annette Huang               Manukau Institute of Technology Library
(huanga@manukau.ac.nz)         PO Box 97 147                         
                               Manukau City, New Zealand
 

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