Considering living spaces as a reflection of their occupants, millennia-old China has developed a set of methods for harmonizing the home. These practices are grouped together in what is known as “feng shui”, an ancestral art characterized by pragmatic, in-motion thinking. Among the oldest forms of this discipline is traditional feng shui. It’s based on the principle that every element in the universe is a source of energy that can be destructured at any moment. The components of our home are no exception to this rule. Its application can therefore rebalance this energy and improve the lives of inhabitants on all levels. Literally meaning wind and water, this practice was once reserved for the emperors of China.

But what exactly is it all about? What is it based on and what are its benefits? And what are the elements with which it is associated? Find out in this article.

What is traditional feng shui?

Simply put, it’s an art invented by the great master Guo Pu, a Chinese writer and philologist who lived between 276 and 324. As a lifelong student of yin and yang, he realized that a person’s habitat could have an impact on their state of health, well-being, work and so on. To improve this place-individual relationship, he developed geomancy, commonly known as feng shui.

This discipline originated in East Asia and dates back several millennia. Its earliest form is considered traditional feng shui. Its aim is to bring about an energetic balance between man and his world.

In fact, we are sometimes surprised by the flow of energy we feel in a place. While some places inspire peace and relaxation, others can inspire fear. This technique enables us to study the effects of our environment on ourselves. It aims to adjust the flow of energy in a given place. It should be noted, however, that this technique only applies to buildings, such as homes, workplaces, etc.

To achieve this, traditional feng shui requires the design of exterior spaces, however small. Next, it involves modifying openings and arranging furniture in such a way as to harmoniously circulate the energy released by the premises. Sometimes this means changing the function of certain rooms, optimizing spaces, adding or removing colors. It can also involve integrating symbolic objects such as wind chimes, or natural objects related to the animal, mineral or plant kingdoms.

Whatever the case, this ancestral art joined the branches of Chinese medicine after its appearance.

The basics of traditional feng shui

Traditional feng shui is essentially based on three systems of measurement. These are :

San He;
Ba Zhai;
San Huan.

SAN HE
San He is an environmental approach to determining the influence of energy in the home. The location of a road, a river, a mountain… close to a house can have a positive or negative impact on human beings.

Using a luo pan (Chinese compass), you can measure all the surrounding elements. However, an on-site visit is necessary to ensure that the measurements taken are accurate and precise. In traditional feng shui, photos don’t really allow you to place the environment at its true value.

In San He, all external elements must be taken into account. The location of water, for example, will determine a person’s career and health. However, the location of a road or railroad cannot be changed. On the other hand, changes can be made in the garden to improve the circulation of Qi.

BA ZHAI
Ba Zhai is simply a calculation based on a person’s date of birth to obtain the number Gua. Traditional feng shui uses this system to identify the 4 favorable and 4 unfavorable sectors for a subject. While some sectors bring success, health, balance and harmony, others represent obstacles, illness, financial and relationship difficulties.

In all cases, the Gua number is useful for finding the best orientation for your bed or office, the right decorations for your living spaces, and so on.

As a general rule, Ba Zhai distinguishes between 2 groups of people: those in the west and those in the east. This enables traditional feng shui to improve the life of each inhabitant of a place. For the western group, favorable areas include the south-western, north-western and north-eastern parts. On the other hand, the northern, southern, eastern and southeastern parts are favorable for the eastern group.

As a result, if a pair belongs to two different categories, the positive sectors for one will not be positive for the other. That said, there are a number of ways in which this imbalance can be redressed.

SAN HUAN
Also known as San Yan, this principle analyzes the influences of time, which modify energies in a cyclical fashion. Traditional feng shui takes this system of measurement into account, as it considers the temporal aspect to be an important element. San Huan is also known as “flying stars”. In concrete terms, it’s a study based on precise calculations to define the temporal energies present in each living space. Depending on the orientation of the front door and the date of renovation.

These energies also have an impact on the individual’s personal and professional life, health and so on. In this way, Qi can be activated or deactivated by associating the appropriate element (earth, water, fire…) with each star.

The benefits of traditional feng shui

Adopting this discipline means becoming aware of the fact that a flow of energy circulates in our living space, and that each object can send out positive or negative energy. This awareness is a fundamental step towards personal growth.

What’s more, since feng shui brings energy balance to the world in which we live, it will help us rediscover the perfect balance between yin and yang. In fact, it helps to refocus excess energy or to enhance energy that has been lowered by fatigue and weariness.

Traditional feng shui is bound to improve our quality of life and state of health. What’s more, it can be used to prevent ailments in the first place.

On the other hand, it will also have an impact on our family, friends and professional relationships. Added to this is a balanced spiritual life and a gain in self-confidence and self-esteem.

In short, it’s more than an ancestral technique, it’s a way of life that promises only one thing: a harmonious existence.

The five elements of traditional feng shui

Although traditional feng shui is based on many Taoist principles such as yin and yang, Qi… it is also based on other concepts such as the five elements of nature. These are the elements of fire, earth, wood, metal and water. They exert their forces on the universe and represent the five phases of Qi transformation.

However, they are unstable and each seeks to dominate the others. This is where feng shui comes in. It rebalances the balance of power and prevents one person from dominating the others. And since traditional feng shui is an art of placement, it can effectively help the occupant of the space.

In fact, in your home or workplace, the presence and arrangement of the 5 elements must be carefully considered, because while some of them work well together, others are antagonistic.

FIRE
Fire symbolizes strength, sensuality and dynamism. A home with a fireplace, candles or candleholders will benefit from the energy of fire. Care must be taken, however, as too much fire can lead to stress and dispersion.

When applying traditional feng shui, the right energy balance can be achieved by marrying fire with earth and wood. However, to avoid fire taking over your entire living space, don’t combine it with water or metal.

METAL
Representing rigor, order and management, metal can easily integrate our interior or exterior spaces. On the other hand, when there’s too much metal in a space, a negative energy is released. The kind that brings a lack of creativity and makes us antisocial.

Traditional feng shui suggests combining metal with earth or water to harmonize the interior. But don’t take the risk of combining it with wood or fire.

WOOD
This element brings change, openness and stimulates creativity. However, wooden furniture, parquet flooring and various ornamental objects… can also impose instability if there’s too much of it in the house.

Wood should therefore be associated with water and fire. On the other hand, wood and metal do not go hand in hand.

WATER
One of the elements inseparable from traditional feng shui is water. It harmoniously combines its energy with that of wood and metal. It symbolizes calm, suppleness and emotion. It’s important to remember that water doesn’t go well with fire and earth.

However, you can combine it with metal. Add this element to your exterior with a fountain, for example. It’s also worth noting that too much water can lead to withdrawal and melancholy.

EARTH
A sign of prudence, security and stability, earth is also associated with fire and metal. In traditional feng shui, stone, clay pots, tiles… are preferred to bring out all the energy of the earth.

On the other hand, earth does not go well with water. But even so, beware of an abundance of water, as it could lead to boredom and sluggishness.

What about Western feng shui?

The traditional Chinese form of feng shui can seem complicated, especially as certain principles are not suited to Western mentalities. To simplify matters, Western feng shui was created. Today, this practice is more popular. However, unlike traditional Chinese feng shui, Western feng shui is more concerned with decoration.

But that’s not all! The areas of health, relationships, success… are identical for every individual. Also, this Western trend assumes that the placement of certain objects in certain areas of the home could, for example, improve family relationships or activate wealth. Ultimately, it’s more about decoration, suggesting a particular color in a particular area.

Yet feng shui in its original form necessarily involves working on oneself, on postures and personal development. Traditional feng shui enables precise measurements to be taken, taking into account the environment and the specific features of the living space. This is why its approach is so effective. What’s more, as each individual is unique, advice given to one person may not be valid for others.

Let’s take action! Let’s adopt this set of best practices for a better life. Some call it an art, others a medical technique. In any case, however we define it, palpable effects on our health and our whole condition of life can be felt through traditional feng shui.