International Feng Shui Guild Glossary

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: Gen (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.

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.

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 Astrology, Flying Stars and others.

Eight House Feng Shui 八宅風水 , also called Eight Mansions, Ba Zhai, East/West system
Dividing the house into nine sections (the eight directions and the center) of the luo shu grid determines the four most auspicious and four least auspicious directions and activities for both the person and the building (excluding the center). Each direction is weighted and has a particular aspect or quality of qi.

Feng Shui 風水
Translates as wind and water. Chinese geomancy, known in ancient times as Kan yu, is said to be over 5000 years old. Feng Shui comes from the I Ching and is grounded in Five Elements Theory. It is the art and science of harmonizing the person with their environment and heavenly influences. This is done with the knowledge of land forms that gather and retain qi and by the selection of a site in an auspicious location and in accordance with the energies present. A living or work environment is then designed in which the presence of the most beneficial qi connects the energies of Heaven and Earth with the person. This connection is enhanced by the placement of objects within the house to create the best flow of benevolent qi, the best balance of yin and yang, the most auspicious use of space in accordance with energies present, and by mitigating negative energies and enhancing positive energies. In Classical Feng Shui the astrology of the building is also linked with the astrology of the person. Although Feng Shui can be linked with all three aspects of the San Cai 三才, its closest association is with Earth or physical aspect.

Feng Shui consultant
See Feng Shui practitioner

Feng Shui in Modern Times , also called Integrative Feng Shui
The art of Feng Shui has changed and adapted as it has moved through time and transitioned from culture to culture. There are many different modalities and perspectives through out the world; in addition to being an independent practice, Feng Shui is incorporated into many different fields including design, architecture, Real Estate, fashion, etc.

Feng Shui practitioner, also called Feng Shui consultant風水師
A trained professional having studied and mastered the principles and practices of Feng Shui. The modern Feng Shui practitioner is schooled in a variety of modalities having originated in traditional and eclectic customs and practices. Minimally, a competent practitioner is a graduate of, or certified by, a recognized school.

Feng Shui shien sheng 風水先生
A Feng Shui master.

I Ching Feng Shui 易經風水
A Compass School method utilizing the hexagrams of the I Ching on the luopan.

Integrative Feng Shui 整體風水
See Feng Shui in Modern Times

Southern Hemisphere Feng Shui
A recent adaptation of Feng Shui, making accurate calculations and determinations possible in the southern hemisphere. Because of the origin of Feng Shui in northern China several thousand years ago, and the lack of awareness that a southern hemisphere existed, original Feng Shui methods did not consider the differences between the northern and southern hemispheres. Because so many Compass School determinations and calculations are dependent on seasonal changes and solar orientation, differing in the two hemispheres, these adjustments have made it possible for Feng Shui practitioners in the southern hemisphere to make accurate Feng Shui determinations.

Traditional Feng Shui
The word ‘traditional’ is sometimes substituted for ‘classical’ in describing the Form and Compass Schools practiced for thousands of years in Asia.
See Classical Feng Shui

Yang House Feng Shui
The Feng Shui study of houses for the living.

Yin House Feng Shui
The Feng Shui study of houses for the dead (burial sites). Many ancient rulers believed that burial on land with nourishing energy brought prosperity to their dynasty.