Chinese Ancient Art Feng Shui - History and Theory

Feng shui is basically an environmental science. It is based on an interpretation of the natural world and the study of the movement of heavenly bodies. This enabled the Chinese to create efficient agricultural systems and determine the passage of time. Over the centuries, the interpretation grew more complicated and complex, and eventually, became removed from its very original purpose. As its exponents spread out from the country, their beliefs altered to fit into local customs and beliefs and, inevitably, superstition and folklore grew up around them.

Fortunately, the ancient Chinese preserved all the information in written form. Although the people retain the knowldge contained in feng shui, it has also become absorbed into many different disciplines. In China, feng shui underlies all aspects of life, from medicine and nutrition to exercise and the arts. Feng means wind and shui means water. Wind and water have always been associated with good health in Chinese culture. By understanding feng shui basic concepts, we can choose designs, meaningful symbols and images from our own culture to support us in our lives.

Today, feng shui gives you advice on how to create your environments in which you feel comfortable and supported. You may find that some of these environments are common sense while others may not make sense until you understand that by recognizing problem areas in your life and taking good positive steps to improve them, you can connect to the energy of the spaces around you and bring about desired changes. Good feng shui means good fortune while bad feng shui also means bad luck or misfortune. Feng shui offers us the opportunity to achieve happiness, health, prosperity and well being through living in harmony with our environment.