Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feng Shui related to Buddhism or Taoism?
Feng Shui is not related to any religion or belief system. It is a scientific discipline based on the analysis of energy.

What is the relationship between Feng Shui and religion?

By J. Jelling
Some people tend to mix feng shui with the concept of a religion, thinking of feng shui as a religion which could even be in contradiction with their own. This is a misconception; feng shui is not a religion and is not based on pure faith. Religion and feng shui can go together without contradicting each other.

Religion and feng shui have different bases. Religion is based on faith, while feng shui is based on facts and rational observance of the nature and the way its elements behave. Feng shui provides rational knowledge and guidelines based on the nature and on physics laws.

Feng shui does not depend on belief in order to work and produce its effects, no mater what the person's beliefs are if he follows feng shui guidelines and applies them to his life he will receive the effects of it. Religion depends on each person's different faith and point of view.

Religion is generally based on the belief of a divine intelligence, while feng shui is based on nature. Religion and help can go together, a person doesn't need to choose between them but can follow them both. Feng shui offers help regarding our problems and what causes them, and we can use its help along with the one provided by religion letting their help complement each other.

Feng shui doesn't intend to be a religion and it doesn’t contradict a person's beliefs either. Feng shui is based on providing help on how to better balance the elements surrounding us and all that depends on us. Feng shui can be rationally explained and proven through its effects as well as through the natural laws that it is based on.

Feng shui and religion shouldn't be seen as contradictory concepts. They can exist in one same person and help him without causing contradictions. Their help are of different kind and come from different sources. Religious help is based on faith while feng shui is based on natural laws, therefore they are different and can coexist in one and same person.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui, literally means wind and water. It is an ancient Chinese study of the natural environment and the affects it has in our personal environment. Feng Shui can determine the best or most favorable location for anyone and assist that person to avoid their worst or least desirable location in any environment. This environment can be at the office, home, or any place that they are at. Feng Shui makes the determination based on the year the individual is born, the environment surrounding them, and through the movements of the solar system.

Throughout ancient China, classical Feng Shui was a closely guarded discipline used as a tool to ensure the good health, wealth, and power of the imperial dynasties. The keepers of this secret knowledge were the Feng Shui masters, the highly respected scientists and astronomers who were charged with sustaining the good fortune and prosperity of the royal court.

These masters of Chinese geomancy were very selective of their protégées and extremely wary of sharing their Feng Shui knowledge with any outsider. As a result, few who claimed to be Feng Shui masters even knew the basic theories, which meant even fewer could practice with proficiency.

To this day, Feng Shui charlatans continue to shroud their ignorance in cloaks of mystery and ritual. They take a “shotgun” approach to prescribing wind Chimes and mirrors, embellishing their charade with some incense and prayer.

Actually, a classical Feng Shui reading involves no guesswork. Every building has unique energy characteristics that need to be individually addressed, so be wary of practitioners who offer fixed or occult “cures”. Their prescribed remedies may actually do more harm than good.

What are the basic principles of Feng Shui?
Yin/Yang, the Five Elements, East/West Compass Directions, BaGua, the Solar System and the Environment.

How are the basic principles applied?
Feng Shui is based upon a set of theories and complex calculations derived from the Yi Jing. This includes an in-depth understanding and application of the theories of Yin and Yang, along with the balancing of the Five Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood) and taking into account the physical relationship between the natural environment and the magnetic field.

How is a Feng Shui reading done?
A Feng Shui practitioner using a Lo-pan (compass) determines the energy characteristics of a building and its resultant effects on the building’s occupants. Calculations are done according to the basic principles, then remedies are prescribed where necessary in order to balance the energy so it will have a positive effect.

Is Feng Shui only applicable to houses?
Feng Shui can be applied to analyze the energy (Qi or Chi) of a city, state, country or even the world.

Are wind chimes a valid part of Feng Shui?
Yes, only if they are made of metal and used judiciously. If wind Chimes are placed improperly they can actually cause problems!

Where to place a water features?
The elemental direction of water is North. Adding a water features does not remedy all  situations. Your Feng Shui consultant will tell you, if you need a water remedy or give the proper location for a water feature.