Feng Shui or commonly known as Geomancy is a traditional art or belief that has existed in Chinese society for many hundred of years.

Today, as Chinese business and society boom throughout the world, the ancient Feng Shui art is even further enhanced and glorified as businesses and homes in Chinese society seek to use the art of Feng Shui to bring about further improvement to their luck, business, wealth, relationship, health and life.

The Ancient Chinese tradition of the study of Feng Shui

What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui or Geomancy is an ancient study or belief that has been practised in China at least since the Tang Dynasty.

The words Feng Shui literally means Wind and Water, an indication that this belief or study put great reference to the natural wind and water elements of Mother Nature. In fact, Feng Shui has little or no connection with religion and can be better explained as a study of the natural elements of earth that can affect our life, health, relationship and wealth.

Just as we can understand how the natural elements can affect us, so can the understanding of Feng Shui and the correct re-arranging of Feng Shui elements lead to an improvement of our life, health, relationship and wealth.

How much can we believe in Feng Shui? Or rather how much does the Chinese speaking world believe in Feng Shui as it is a pre-dominately Chinese study or belief?

Well, it is said that almost no business or shops in Hong Kong or Taiwan will open for business without first consulting a Feng Shui master on the layout of the business premises, the auspicious opening date and the Feng Shui elements that will work well for the business.

Neither will a Chinese in these countries build a house, renovate a house or move into a house without consulting a Feng Shui master on the design and layout of the house or the "official moving date".

Feng Shui is such a overwhelming Chinese tradition or belief that well known and successful multinational business such as Hyatt, Hilton, Standard Chartered Bank and others operating in pre-dominately Chinese countries will also consult Feng Shui masters and abide by their instruction.

In mainland China, because of the cultural revolution that suppressed many ancient Chinese beliefs for decades, it is now seeing a resurgence and belief in this ancient study.

The history of Feng Shui
The most ancient master in this art is generally believed to be Yang Yun Sang who is universally acknowledged as the Founder of Feng Shui.

Master Yang left a legacy of classic Feng Shui books that have been preserved and continuously studied to this day.

He was the principal advisor of the court of the Emperor Hi Tsang (A.D. 888), and his books on Feng Shui made up the major texts on which succeeding generations of practitioners based their art.

Master Yang's emphasis was on the shape of the mountains, the direction of water courses, and above all, on locating and understanding the influence of the Dragon, Cha's most revered celestial creature.

His doctrines were detailed in three famous classic works that wholly describe Feng Shui practice in terms of colourful Dragon metaphors. The first of these, "Han Lung Ching", contains the "Art of Rousing the Dragon".

The second, "Ching Nang Ao Chih", comprises the methods of determining the location of the Dragon's lair.

While the third book is "I Lung Ching", translated under the title "Canons approximating Dragons".

This third book provides the methods and techniques on how to find the Dragon in areas where they do not prominently stand forth.

Today, there are many sub-branches in the study of Feng Shui which generally can be traced to the Yang Feng Shui methods. The study of Feng Shui is also closely related to the study of Chinese astrology belief and the Chinese Lunar Calendar. A good Feng Shui analysis can only come about with a good understanding of Chinese astrology and calendar.

Some examples of basic Feng Shui principles in our daily life.

Do not have a water feature in the bedroom.
Having the presence of water in a personal space such as a bedroom leads to loss - loss of money and loss of relationships. Water features refer to paintings with river, waterfalls and lakes. They also refer to aquariums and large vases. Glasses of water by the bedside are fine.

Make sure your front door does not lead directly to another opening such as a backdoor or window
Good chi or energy comes in through your front door and should remain circulating within the house. Having a direct backdoor or window will only mean good Chi will enter the house and then disappear directly out through the back. Have a curtain or door screen to block the direct exit of Chi.

Arrangement of the bed
Being able to sleep well is the best way to restore your personal Chi. Hence, ensuring that your bed is correctly aligned is important for your sleep. Make sure that your bed does not face a door, or that a overhead ceiling beam cuts across your bed, or that a mirror faces your bed directly are important Feng Shui elements to watch out for.

Trim your plants and trees regularly.
This is to make sure they do not get so overgrown as to cut out the precious yang energy of sunlight. When plants get too big or untidy, they create excessive yin energy and hence will overwhelm the presence of yang energy in the household. Ensuring the balance of ying and yang is important in maintaining harmony in the house.

These are but just some basic examples derived from a understanding of Feng Shui. A complete understanding of Feng Shui is beyond the scope of this short article. To get a better and more complete understanding of Feng Shui, refer to the many Feng Shui websites or check out this ebook.