By Jun Zou
Folk Arts and Fine Arts
Music and Dance
Feng Shui
Traditional Festivals and Foods, Family Values, Conclusion
Feng Shui
Feng shui, an ancient Chinese term meaning "the way of wind and water," has a history of more than 2000 years. As a unique cultural tradition that blends several aspects of Chinese cultural practice, feng shui is an enticing composite of mystical beliefs, astrology, folklore, and common sense. By analyzing the flow of energy and evaluating its influence on a person's life, feng shui primarily applies to the selection, placement, and arrangement of buildings, land, and/or burial sites by Chinese in order to achieve harmony with the living environment, and in relationships, business, and career development. Feng shui is not a religion; anyone with any religious background can practice it. It has been very popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and it is being revived in mainland China nowadays.
Mrs. Qiongfang Ni and Mrs. Ren Jen-gyi Koai are two Chinese residents of Baton Rouge who apply feng shui principles in their homes. They came from Guilin in mainland China and Taiwan respectively, and have been living in Baton Rouge for six years and fifteen years. Both believe that good feng shui brings good fortune to their family. "Good feng shui of a house directs healthy air flow and daylight into the house, which always brings fresh air, health, and wealth to a family," Mrs. Koai said. Orientation of a house is critical in feng shui practice, "the most important criteria for us to choose a house is the orientation of the house, we like a house that faces south." Mrs. Ni said, "a house facing south can enjoy maximal sunshine in every room, which brings in healthy energy to the house and the family according to feng shui."
They shared some general guidelines and tips that they use to decorate their houses. Some other rules related to building orientation, building formation, and time factor are beyond this essay.
Some items are considered "lucky objects," and people incorporate them into their house decoration to bring luck to the home's occupants. These include aquariums, living plants, tassels, and wind chimes; representations of tigers, dragons, and elephants; and statues of Guan Gong. Generally feng shui practitioners purchase or collect these items, but some may make the knotted items.
More specifically, an aquarium is considered to attract luck and bring prosperity into the house. It can be placed either outside the house or in the living room. Fishes absorb negative chi, especially the blackmole (blackmoor) variety. It is a common practice for feng shui masters to use a fish tank as feng shui "cures." Fountains and waterfalls are further considered to bring beneficial chi to a home. Below is a photo taken in front of the aquarium in front of Mrs. Koai's house that she designed and built, this piece by piece, with her father.
An aquarium in front of Ren Jen-gyi Koai's house, built by Mrs. Koai and her father. |
The dragon, a symbol of authority, can be strategically placed in an office or a home to symbolize the authority and power. Place a dragon on the dragon wall (to the left when facing the front door) and make sure it does not appear to be heading toward the door or a window. Here is a Green Dragon that Ren Jen-gyi Koai has placed on top of a display shelf.
Green Dragon in Ren Jen-gyi Koai's house. |
Tigers represent bravery and strength. They can be placed in a den or an office. A tiger should not have its mouth open or look as if it is "ready to pounce." Place the tiger on the tiger wall (to the right when a person faces the front door).
White Tiger in Ren Jen-gyi Koai's house |
The elephant, according to Buddhism, is a celestial animal. It is seen as a representation of morals and dignity. In feng shui it is an excellent good fortune symbol that represents power and prominence associated with the head of the family or company. Elephants also serve as house keepers and guardians. The elephants should be placed underneath of an interior exposed beam.
Elephant in Qiongfang Ni's house |
Guan Gong is a Chinese god still worshipped by many Chinese, especially in Hong Kong, who is based on one of the best known generals throughout East Asia, Guan Yu (160 A.D. - 219 A.D.). Guan Yu's true life stories have been largely fictionalized and exaggerated in one of the most well-known Chinese classics Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the historical figure has evolved over time to the status of the Chinese "God of brotherhoods," representing the code of brotherhood and righteousness. In feng shui, a statue or image of Guan Gong ensures peace and harmony for all residents in a house, protection for the patriarch, and prosperity, and luck for all.
Guan Gong in Qiongfang Ni's house |
In feng shui, live plants and flowers are believed to alter or harness chi (positive energy). Practitioners place live plants at the up-right corner of a room when one is standing with their back to the door.
Live Plants in Qiongfang Ni's house
|
Live Plants in
Ren Jen-gyi Koai's house |
Tassels are used for protecting and blessing a home or office. The color is usually red and sometimes made with Chinese coins and lucky symbols. People usually purchase them from special stores in China.
Chinese Tassel in red in Ren Jen-gyi Koai's house |
Wind chimes ease the tension between wind and water smoothly, bringing calm and quiet style to any space. People usually purchase specially designed feng shui wind chimes for home decoration and/or as solutions to various particular situations. For example, a wind chime with five solid metal rods could be used to repress bad luck caused by beams or poison arrows.
Crane Wind Chime in
Ren Jen-gyi Koai's house |
Rod Wind Chime in
Ren Jen-gyi Koai's house |
Since colors are believed to be related to yin and yang and wu xing (the five elements: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth), they are used to maintain balance among specific chi energies. As a result, they play a significant role in feng shui practice. Red, symbolizing virtue and truth, is the color of life, luck, prosperity, power, glory, and happiness. It is good for the fame or reputation area of your home. Yellow in feng shui is considered to be as auspicious as red and represents sunbeams, warmth, motion, cheerfulness, and friendliness. However, according to a noted color feng shui consultant, prolonged exposure to large amounts of intense yellow can cause anxiety. Green, symbolizing hope, longevity, and vitality, represents lush growth, vegetation, and the rebirth of springtime. Green is preferably used for the family and health area in a home
The following photo illustrates the use of color according to the feng shui principles. In her living room, Mrs. Qiongfang Ni, has used three colors, yellow, green, and red, by using a red coffee table and a yellow-green rug.
Yellow, Green, and Red in Qiongfang Ni's house |
Next - Traditional Festivals and Foods
Jun Zou teaches interior design at Louisiana State University and has been in the United States since 2003. One of her research specialties is the Chinese aesthetic in interior design. She did this research as part of the New Populations Project.
