Adjustment
Age 年運世會歲
A cycle of qi氣, it is the primary requisite for construction of a Flying Star chart. It is this application of the time factor which determines the allocation of qi throughout the structure. Some schools prefer to utilize the move-in date as the essential time factor. The most widely recognized method is to use the time of construction as the determining factor and more specifically the time of the closing of the roof. Each age or period lasts twenty years and begins on a year ending in the number four.
See Flying Stars
Annual Star 當位星
In Luo Shu, Magic Square, or Nine Star the center number is called the Annual Star. In a Flying Star chart, the energy or quality of qi represented by a number called a Star. The Annual Star moves cyclically to a different location each year.
See Flying Stars, Nine Star Ki
Armchair 靠背椅
See Form School.
Astro-cartography
A western astrology horoscope which determines the most advantageous locations for an individual to reside.
Astrology, Western
A cosmological method of divination based on the positions of the Sun, Moon, Planets and other heavenly bodies, relative to time and place on Earth which is drawn into a horoscope.
Auspicious 吉
A term frequently used in Feng Shui, Astrology and divination to denote favorable, desirable and beneficial influences and successful results.
See antonym inauspicious
Azure Dragon 青龍 also called Green Dragon
A symbolic animal of the Form School and one of four Landform Guardians. In the ideal cradle or armchair position of the Form School, it refers to mountain ranges, rolling hills, trees, or structures that support and protect a building on the left side of the armchair. Before the compass was invented, it was a way to describe the left direction.
See Four Emblems, Celestial Animals
Ba Zhai 八宅 , also called Eight House Feng Shui, Eight Mansions, or East/West school東西四命
The most basic and popular method of determining and regulating the qi in Compass School Feng Shui. First, sitting and facing directions of a structure are determined. Then the four most auspicious and four least auspicious sectors for the space are calculated, each having specific influences on the qi of a space.
See East/West System.
Ba Zi 八字
Refers to Four Pillars of Destiny, but literally means eight (Chinese) Characters.
See Four Pillars of Destiny .
Bagua 八卦 , also called Ba Gua, Pa Kua
A diagram akin to the Chinese flow chart for the cyclical energies of the manifested universe, originating from the I Ching and the Luo Shu. The literal translation is “eight house”. It consists of eight external houses and a central one called the Tai Ji: a symbol denoting a perfect balance of the flowing energies of yin and yang, and also representing Earth. Each of the eight houses is named by a trigram, and points to a specific direction, number, element, season, color, body organ, family member, symbol, location and other life aspects in resonance with that trigram sector. The Bagua can be drawn in many different forms and is an indispensable tool in most schools of Feng Shui.
See Fu Xi Pre-Heaven Bagua, Later Heaven Bagua, BTB Feng Shui Bagua.
Bamboo flute 蕭 , also called Hsiao
An end-blown bamboo flute, and musical instrument, used in Feng Shui as a remedy. This flute’s base includes the bamboo’s root joint which is bigger and stronger than the remaining, visible joints, allowing its base to acts as a support to energetically lift or raise qi.
Bau-biologie
Translates from the German as building biology. A movement that has made a study of how buildings impact life and health in the living environment. Factors that it observes, measures and attempts to regulate at a building site include bio-physical forces above and below the earth’s surface, climatic and solar influences, air quality, and the toxicity of building materials. Bau-biologie advocates the use of safe and sustainable construction materials and the mitigation of excessive electro-magnetic fields. It encourages a holistic and healing approach to home and work environments.
Beginning of Spring 立春
The first of the Twenty Four Seasons which usually begins on February 4th or 5th. Determining the Beginning of Spring is essential in the calculation of I Ching divination techniques.
See Twenty-Four Seasons.
Benker lines, also called the Ten Meter System
Named after Anton Benker of Germany, the dowser who discovered this system. Benker lines lie on every fifth Hartmann line and radiate up into space, but are stronger to a great degree. One side of a Benker line is positively charged, and the other side is negatively charged. They are considered to be a source of potential health problems, and are located by dowsing.
See Hartmann lines
Bing 丙 , also called Ping
The third heavenly stem in the cycle of ten, denoting Yang Fire, based on the productive cycle of the Five Elements as they go through their yin and yang phases. It refers to the more active and aggressive aspects of the fire element and is used in Four Pillars of Destiny.
See Heavenly Stems.
Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui, also called BTB Feng Shui, Black Hat
BTB Feng Shui has its roots in the pre-Buddhist, Bon religion of Tibet. It was also influenced by Indian Buddhism and later took on the traditions of Chinese philosophy including Feng Shui. It was brought to the West around 1980, and its practices spread rapidly through the Americas. The BTB Feng Shui Bagua is a modification of the Wen Wang (Later Heaven) Bagua and is superimposed on a site, building, or room using the Three Door Method which aligns the entry with one the three trigrams: Ken (Knowledge), Kan (Career) or Qian (Helpful People). BTB Feng Shui emphasizes following the flow of qi (in the space and the person), the use of transcendental solutions to reinforce mundane remedies, the power of intention and self cultivation through meditation.
Black Tortoise 玄武 , also called Black Turtle
The symbolic animal of Form School, and the most important of the four Landform Guardians. In the ideal armchair position of Form School, it refers to hills, mountains, trees or other structures that support and protect a building from behind. In the ancient traditions it was best located in the North. This was based on the climatic conditions of China where the cold winds came from the North. In modern times it can be located in any direction as long as it provides the physical and energetic backing needed to offer support for the building. The same principles can be applied inside the building when orienting furnishings.
See Four Emblems, Celestial Animals.
Blessing mudra 大手印
A hand gesture used for blessings and or offerings
See Mantra.
Boar
See Hai亥, Zodiac, Asian.
Book of Changes
See I Ching.
Bright Hall 明堂
See Ming Tang.
BTB Feng Shui
See Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui.
BTB Feng Shui Bagua 密宗黑教八卦
A modification of the Wen Wang or Later Heaven Bagua sequence with the trigrams inverted so that the qi moves toward the center. The BTB Bagua puts humanity at the center and represents our qi returning to its essence. The Wen Wang and BTB Feng Shui Baguas together oscillate through time, representing the unity of yin and yang and creation -- how we continually create our reality, get feedback, then act or react. Based on the philosophy of Shao Yong, BTB Feng Shui equates the trigram movement of the different Baguas to qi flow through the seasons. The Pre-Heaven Bagua is considered the Lesser Yang or Spring Bagua. The Later Heaven or Wen Wang Bagua, with the trigram qi moving out from the center, is considered the Greater Yang or Summer Bagua. The BTB Feng Shui Bagua, where the trigram qi moves back to the center, is considered the Lesser Yin or Autumn Bagua. The Greater Yin or Winter Bagua will likely follow.
Calming Heart Mantra 心經
A chant used to activate and improve qi. The words, “Gate gate, para gate, para sam gate, bodhi swaha,” are used at the start of other meditations, to help center one’s energy, when one is upset or mentally unclear.
Cardinal points 四正位
The four primary compass directions; North, South, East, West.
Celestial Animals 四靈獸
The four mythical animals of Form School: the Azure Dragon (Green Dragon), White Tiger, Black Tortoise (Black Turtle), Red Phoenix (Red Bird). Each animal represents a different earth quality or energy. Also represents land forms.
See Zodiac, Asian, Four Emblems.
Certified Feng Shui practitioner
A Feng Shui practitioner having achieved a certain level of expertise and having received a certificate of achievement or completion from the attended school.
See Feng Shui practitioner.
Chen 辰 , also called Ch’en, Zhen,Dragon, Azure Dragon, Green Dragon
1.The fifth earthly branch in the cycle of twelve life energies, representative of strong and active energy. It is used in Chinese Astrology占卜 and Four Pillars.
2. One of the mythical, celestial animals of Form School lore. The Dragon is the guardian and inspiration of the East. A member of the Asian Zodiac, the Dragon is highly revered in Asian societies and is representative of good fortune, great strength and leadership.
See Earthly Branches, Four Pillars of Destiny.
Chen Pi 陳皮 , also called Tshen Pei
Aged dried tangerine skin used to purify a space.
Chi, also called Ki (Japanese)
See Qi
Chi cultivation
See Qi cultivation
Chien
See Qian
Chinese Almanac, also called Tung T’su 中國通書
An annual Chinese publication in book form with advice about the best, worst, and appropriate activities, locations and more, for each day of the year. It has been widely used in China to predict everything from the size of the yearly harvest to the electoral success of public officials. In its almanac form it is used for the selection of auspicious and inauspicious dates for all types of activities.
Chinese Astrology
Refers to a group of divination techniques first used in China, based on astrological or cosmological assessments. The most common form assigns to the person a Zodiac Animal based on the natal year as determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This term also refers to several other methods commonly used in Feng Shui, including Four Pillars of Destiny, Nine Star Ki, Ming Gua, Ba Zhai, Zhi Ping, Purple Star and Flying Stars.
Chinese Calendar
A daily calendar with the same information as the Tung T’su contained in 365 pages, one for each day of the year.
Chinese New Year
The first day of Month 1 in the Lunar calendar.
Chueh ming
See Jue ming.
Chyan
See Qian
Ch’i Kung
See Qi Kung.
Ch’ou 牛 , also called Chou, the Ox
The second earthly branch in the cycle of twelve life energies, representative of nourishing energy. It is used in Chinese Astrology占卜and Four Pillars.
See Earthly Branches, Four Pillars of Destiny, Zodiac, Asian.
Clashing doors
Doors that hit each other when opened.
Classical Feng Shui 傳統風水 , also called Traditional Feng Shui
The most widely practiced category of Feng Shui worldwide. Based on the two original types first used in China, Classical Feng Shui consists of Form School and Compass School principles and methods. Contemporary Classical Feng Shui is related to, and utilizes, a variety of modalities that include the directional use of the Bagua, Ming Gua method, Ba Zhai method, Four Pillars, Flying Stars and others.
See Four Pillars of Destiny
Clutter
The obstruction of life force typically through the use of too many items within a space, thus creating a stagnation of the energy within that space.
Commanding position 上首位
1.The best Form School location for the interior placement of furniture, especially the bed, desk, or stove. This position is usually farthest from and facing the door, with one’s back to a solid wall. This position is considered the safest and most powerful, providing the widest view of the room with the ability to see the door without being directly in line with it.
2. The best Form School location of a building on its site, creating the classic armchair with the Black Tortoise (Black Turtle) in the rear, the Red Phoenix in front, the Azure Dragon and the White Tiger to the sides.
See Celestial Animals, Four Emblems.
Compass School, also called Fujien 福建 School
An early school of Feng Shui that developed after Form School. At first a simple needle and bowl compass were utilized to determine the best directional and solar orientation for a structure. Eventually Compass School incorporated principals of the I Ching and other Daoist modalities. The simple needle and bowl compass evolved into the lopan compass which reveals many layers of information in its complex ring system. Currently western versions of the lopan exist that have been color coded and translated to simplify its usage. The lopan remains one of the most effective tools for diagnosing and diagramming the energies within a space and linking them to the eight trigrams, the Five Elements, Yin/yang and the twelve energy cycles. In Compass School Feng Shui, the Bagua is a diagrammatic representation of the lopan Compass and is oriented using the actual directions. e.g., North sits on North of the floor plan.
See Luopan
Confucius
Chinese philosopher, teacher, sage, and father of Confucianism (551BCE - 479BCE) whose teachings were centered around the development of virtuous ethical behaviors and high moral standards to uphold peace and prosperity in society.
Constantly Turning Dharma Wheel 法輪常轉
A transcendental solution to clear inauspicious qi.
Crystals 水晶
1. Any of several minerals having a crystalline structure, that is a three-dimensional structure made up of atoms, molecules or ions arranged in basic units that are repeated throughout the structure. These can be used as amplifiers or transmitters of energy and other specific healing purposes. Crystals are used in Feng Shui as remedies and in many other ways.
2. A clear high quality glass object, sometimes faceted to create a specific shape used in Feng Shui. NOTE: Glass crystals refract light but do not affect qi in the same way as a quartz crystal, even though they can be visually identical.
Cure, also called remedy, adjustment, enhancement 解法
An object, talisman ritual, prayer, action or intention used to achieve the greatest balance, harmony, and the most beneficial qi in a space, or to suppress, neutralize or dissipate negative or stagnant energies or qi.
