Use of Feng Shui, Research Paper Example

Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophy based on the major harmony principle. The actual English translation means wind water. Essentially, Feng shui is just one of five Chinese metaphysical arts practiced in the world today.Distinctly, this art is also called physiognomy meaning observing appearances by of nature by applying formulas and calculations. In articulating the culture/art, architecture is discussed in a metaphoric language referenced as “invisible forces.”  These forces are perceived as binding the universe with earth and humans into an element described as qi(Chen& Wu, 2009).

Traditionally, Feng Shui was used in architecture as a means of aligning and designing buildings. More importantly, the science was associated with buildings of spiritual significance ssuch as tombs, homes, places of worship and other structures, which produce auspicious sentiments. Therefore, after a specific architectural design is chosen of is chosen feng shui is used to select a suitable site for the building to be erected. Precisely, the location feature has a spiritual relationship to the specific architectural design. Some locations features that are ultimately selected areassociated with bodies of water, stars, or a compass. This architectural influences in designing buildingsis taken into one’s kitchen, bedroom, garden, office, love, relationships and entire life(Chen & Wu, 2009).

Feng Shui Principles

The harmonizing principle embodied in Feng Shui practices has a number of supporting concepts interpreting harmony. For example, qiis an important element towards creating balance. It refers to energy either negative or positive. This energy is also known as life force or elan vital.In creating alignment with the life force, qi synchronizes structures (physical and body) with age and the surrounding environment such as trees, oceans and landscape inclusive of the microclimates. Scientists have advanced that qi is a form of solar radiation energy. Besides, qi energy varies with the environment. It is believed that vital qi found in dead bodies and tombs is a strong harmonizing force. As such, careful alignment of tombs produces energy required to balance the universe (Chen &Nakama, 2004).

Polarity is another supporting harmony concept used in Feng Shui. It emerged from the yin and yang theory. Yin yang is considered a magnetic diploe meaning it creates and exerts energy/force. Yang creates and yin exerts. Also Yang Yin is associated with the five phase or element theory, which states that the five elements of life aremetal, earth, fire, water, and wood. These elements are associated withastronomical observations of sunspots meaning that the earth is a buffer, through which equilibrium is achieved as polarities cancel out each other.  This equilibrium creates prosperity, health and friendships. This same principle is applied to Chinese medicine.  However, the goal of yang yin as a principleFeng Shui goes way beyond the body towards a person’s entire life experinces (Chen &Nakama, 2004).

Feng Shui inspiration

Consequently, upon realizing fromFeng Shui principles that everything has energy; furniture and all structures can generate positive or negative forces depending on how they are positioned in my home; this was inspiring. Now, it has made me aware of how my home is designed and the type of architecture I embrace. Frequently, time is taken to reposition my furniture to enable circulation of energy within my environment. This is aligning myself with the universe.

References

Chen, B. X., &Nakama, Y (2004). A summary of research history on Chinese Feng-shui and application of feng shui principles to environmental issues. Kyusyu J. For. Res. 57. 297-301

Chen, X., & Wu, J. (2009). Sustainable landscape architecture: Implications of the Chinese philosophy of ‘unity of man with nature’ and beyond. Landscape Ecology, 24(8), 1015-1026.