Over 3,000 years of wisdom for creating harmony between humans and their environment.
风水
The art of living in harmony with your environment
Feng Shui (pronounced "fung shway") literally translates to "wind-water" in Chinese. It is an ancient Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. Dating back over 3,000 years, Feng Shui was originally used to orient buildings, particularly tombs, in an auspicious manner.
The core principle of Feng Shui is that our surroundings affect our well-being, fortune, and quality of life. By understanding and manipulating the flow of Chi (life force energy), we can create spaces that support our goals, health, relationships, and prosperity.
Today, Feng Shui is practiced worldwide and applied to homes, offices, gardens, and even urban planning. While some view it as superstition, many find that its principles align with good design, psychology, and environmental awareness.
The Bagua Map - Eight Trigrams representing life areas
The earliest evidence of Feng Shui principles dates back to Neolithic China, where graves were oriented to maximize protection from wind and exposure to sunlight. The term "Feng Shui" itself emerged during the Jin Dynasty (265-420 CE).
During China's imperial dynasties, Feng Shui masters were consulted for the placement of palaces, tombs, and cities. The Forbidden City in Beijing was designed according to Feng Shui principles, with careful attention to direction, symmetry, and element balance.
Over centuries, two main schools emerged: the Form School (focusing on landscape and physical features) and the Compass School (using complex calculations and the Luo Pan compass). The Eight Mansions system is part of the Compass School.
While suppressed during the Cultural Revolution, Feng Shui experienced a global revival in the late 20th century. Today, it's practiced by millions worldwide, from Hong Kong skyscrapers to Western homes seeking harmony and balance.
Your personal key to auspicious directions
The Kua Number (also spelled Gua) is a fundamental concept in Eight Mansions Feng Shui. It's calculated from your birth year and gender to reveal your personal auspicious and inauspicious directions.
There are eight possible Kua numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 - note that 5 is typically converted to 2 for males and 8 for females). Each number belongs to either the East Group or West Group:
People in the same group share similar auspicious directions. Understanding your Kua number helps you:
| Kua | Element | Group | Trigram |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water | East | Kan |
| 2 | Earth | West | Kun |
| 3 | Wood | East | Zhen |
| 4 | Wood | East | Xun |
| 6 | Metal | West | Qian |
| 7 | Metal | West | Dui |
| 8 | Earth | West | Gen |
| 9 | Fire | East | Li |
八宅
The Eight Mansions system divides any space into eight sectors, each associated with a direction and specific type of energy. Based on your Kua number, four directions are auspicious for you, and four are inauspicious.
生氣
Your best direction for wealth, success, and vitality. Face this direction when working or negotiating. Position your front door here if possible.
天醫
Your healing direction. Position your bed facing this way for better health. Excellent for recovery and well-being. Place your stove facing this direction.
延年
Your love and relationship direction. Enhances family harmony and romantic connections. Ideal for the master bedroom or dining area.
伏位
Your personal growth and stability direction. Good for meditation, study, and inner development. Creates calm, peaceful energy.
禍害
Minor bad luck direction. Avoid facing this way while sleeping or working. Can cause small obstacles and frustrations.
五鬼
Causes backstabbing, betrayal, and theft. Avoid placing your bed or desk facing this direction. Can lead to relationship conflicts.
六煞
Creates legal troubles, scandals, and health issues. Keep this area clear and well-lit. Avoid using for important activities.
絕命
Your worst direction. Avoid at all costs for sleeping, working, or eating. Can cause severe setbacks, illness, and financial loss.
五行
The Five Elements (Wu Xing) form the foundation of Chinese metaphysics. Each element has unique qualities and interacts with others in productive and destructive cycles. Your Kua number is associated with one of these elements.
水
Kua 1
Wisdom, flow, communication
Colors: Black, blue, dark tones
木
Kua 3, 4
Growth, vitality, flexibility
Colors: Green, teal, brown
火
Kua 9
Passion, energy, transformation
Colors: Red, orange, pink, purple
土
Kua 2, 8
Stability, nourishment, grounding
Colors: Yellow, beige, terracotta
金
Kua 6, 7
Precision, clarity, strength
Colors: White, gray, gold, silver
The elements interact in cycles: Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth (ash), Earth bears Metal, Metal carries Water (condensation), and Water nourishes Wood. Understanding these relationships helps create balance in your space.
Now that you understand the principles, calculate your Kua number and unlock your personal auspicious directions.
Calculate Your Kua Number