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History of Feng Shui


            
             Feng Shui is an ancient science that goes back at least 3500 years. Literally translated, Feng Shui means wind and water. The practice of Feng Shui has its roots in the Chinese way of viewing the universe, where all things on earth are categorized into the five basic elements: fire, metal, earth, wood, and water (Figure 1). These elements take on implications of positive or negative energy. This energy is known as Chi, or the dragon's cosmic breath, which brings good fortune for those who are surrounded by it. The five elements make up a central pillar of Feng Shui analysis and practice and each of these elements have either Yin or Yang attributes. The Pa Kua and Lo Shu are important tools found in the I Ching for practicing Feng Shui.
             The origins of Feng Shui go back to antiquity. Earliest recorded Feng Shui started from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). For centuries, access to the authentic Feng Shui knowledge and the classical text that contained it many secrets were confined to the Imperial Family and China's ruling class (Lip, 7). The most famous Feng Shui master is Yang Yun Sang. Better known as the founder of landscape Feng Shui, Master Yang's books on Feng Shui are the basis on which succeeding generations of practitioners set their knowledge. Master Yang's principals came to be regarded as the Form School of Feng Shui. This describes good and bad Feng Shui in terms of the visual appearance of the physical landscape - more specifically the hills and mountain ranges. .
             Hills are described as green dragons and white tigers, and places with good Feng Shui require the presence of a dragon (Figure 2). Emphasis was put on landforms, shapes of hills and mountains, waterways, and their orientation and direction. How to locate the dragon and its lair made up the greater part of Landscape Feng Shui (Too, 17). Eventually the dragon's symbolism gave way to the more scientific emphasis of compass orientation.


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