Feng Shui Basics

Feng Shui is an ancient Eastern knowledge system that studies the harmony between humans and their living environment. To understand Feng Shui, you need to grasp some fundamental concepts:

=> If this is your first time learning about Feng Shui, check out this article: What is Feng Shui? Is Feng Shui a Science or Superstition?

1. Five Elements (Wu Xing)

The Five Elements include Metal – Wood – Water – Fire – Earth, representing the core elements of all things.

• Generating cycle: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood.
• Controlling cycle: Wood controls Earth, Earth controls Water, Water controls Fire, Fire controls Metal, Metal controls Wood.

=> See more details about the Five Elements.

2. Yin – Yang

Yin and Yang are two opposite but complementary forces that create balance.

• Yin: still, dark, soft, cold.
• Yang: active, bright, hard, hot.

Feng Shui always seeks to create Yin–Yang harmony in living spaces.

=>> See details: Understanding Yin and Yang: Balance in Life and Nature

3. Bagua (Eight Trigrams)

The Bagua consists of 8 trigrams: Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui. Each trigram represents a direction, a natural element, and an aspect of life (family, career, wealth, health, etc.).

=>> Read more: What Is the Bagua? Meaning & Feng Shui Applications Explained

4. Nine Palaces – Flying Stars

Space is divided into nine sectors (Nine Palaces), combined with the Flying Star system to predict the changes of auspicious and inauspicious energies over time, direction, and fortune cycles.

=>> Explore more: Mastering the Lo Shu Grid - Your Guide to Chinese Numerology

5. Feng Shui Compass (Luo Pan)

The Luo Pan is an important tool used to determine directions, then apply Feng Shui principles to land selection, house construction, altar placement, and interior design.

=>> See details: Mastering the Feng Shui Compass - Your Guide to Luo Pan

6. Destiny and Life Palace

• Yearly destiny: based on year of birth, defining one’s elemental destiny (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth).
• Life Palace (Eight Mansions): used to determine favorable house orientations, kitchen placement, bedroom directions, etc.

=> Learn more: What is Life Palace?

7. Trine Compatibility – Four Conflicts

In the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs:

• Trine compatibility: Groups of 3 zodiac signs that harmonize and support each other (e.g., Monkey – Rat – Dragon).
• Four conflicts: Groups of 4 zodiac signs that clash and easily create conflicts (e.g., Tiger – Monkey – Snake – Pig).

=> See more about the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs.

8. Feng Shui Applications

• Protection: dispelling negative energy and ensuring stability.
• Wealth attraction: activating positive energy to attract prosperity.
• Home arrangement: organizing rooms, doors, altars, plants, and colors according to Feng Shui to balance vital energy.

Discover more Feng Shui applications:

• Feng Shui for Homes
• Feng Shui Plants

The above are the fundamental concepts of Feng Shui. Understanding and applying them correctly will help you build a harmonious and balanced living space, bringing health, prosperity, and peace to your family.