The relationship between the Bagua diagram and feng shui
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The Bagua map usually refers to a map drawn according to the Bagua theory.
Interpreting a Bagua map typically involves the following steps in the context of feng shui,It usually contains the following contents:
1. Understanding the Bagua trigrams
- Know the characteristics and symbolic meanings of each of the eight trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Kun (Earth), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Li (Fire), Gen (Mountain), and Dui (Lake). For example, Qian represents leadership and masculinity, while Kun represents nurturing and femininity.
2. Correlating directions
- Determine which trigram corresponds to each direction on the map. For instance, in some systems, Qian is associated with the northwest direction.
3. Analyzing areas
- For a specific area on the map:
- Consider the trigram associated with that direction.
- Assess the potential influences based on the characteristics of the trigram. For example, if an area is associated with Li trigram (Fire), it might be thought to have energy related to passion, creativity, and visibility.
- Look at the surrounding areas and how their trigrams interact. For instance, if there are areas with trigrams that are in harmony or conflict according to feng shui principles.
4. Considering landforms and features
- Observe natural and man-made features on the map. In feng shui, certain landforms like mountains, rivers, and buildings can be associated with different elements and trigrams. For example, a mountain might be associated with Gen trigram (Mountain) and be considered to provide stability and support.
What is the Bagua diagram?
The Bagua diagram is composed of eight basic graphics used in the important classic of ancient Chinese Taoism on the changes of all things - "The Book of Changes". It is derived from the ancient Chinese "Hetu" and "Luoshu", and was originally created by Fuxi according to these two star charts.
The Bagua diagram is composed of two symbols, "-" and "--". "-" is yang yao, and "--" is yin yao. Different permutations and combinations of these two symbols form eight trigrams: Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui. Each trigram has its specific symbolic meaning, specifically:
- Qian: Represents heaven and has the characteristics of firmness, purity, and leadership.
- Kun: Represents earth and has the meaning of flexibility, tolerance, and giving birth to all things.
- Zhen: Symbolizes thunder and represents vibration, stimulation, and initiation.
- Xun: Represents wind and has the characteristics of flexibility, entering, and penetration.
- Kan: Represents water and has the characteristics of flow, coldness, and moistening.
- Li: Represents fire and embodies the characteristics of brightness, beauty, and attachment.
- Gen: Represents mountains and implies stillness, stability, and obstruction.
- Dui: Represents marsh and has the attributes of joy, communication, and destruction (meaning breaking the old and establishing the new).
The Bagua diagram can be divided into the congenital Bagua diagram and the acquired Bagua diagram with the center as the boundary. The congenital Bagua diagram probably started more than 5,000 years ago. Its orientation is represented as Qian in the south, Kun in the north, Li in the east, Kan in the west, Zhen in the northeast, Dui in the southeast, Xun in the southwest, and Gen in the northwest. The acquired Bagua diagram was created by King Wen of Zhou. Although its position is different from that of the congenital Bagua diagram, its meaning remains unchanged.
The Bagua diagram is not only an embodiment of philosophical thought but also applied in many fields such as divination, feng shui, and martial arts, having an extremely profound impact on Chinese traditional culture. It symbolizes the changes and cycles of the world, and all things in the world can be classified and attributed to the eight trigrams.
The relationship between the Bagua diagram and feng shui
There is a close connection between the Bagua diagram and feng shui that we often hear about:
1.Correlation in theoretical basis:
- Concept of energy and balance: Feng shui emphasizes achieving harmony and balance of qi field by adjusting the environment to promote people's health, fortune, etc. The thought of yin-yang balance and unity of opposites contained in the Bagua diagram is an important foundation for the concept of balance in feng shui theory. The yin and yang fish in the Bagua diagram blend with each other and wax and wane, symbolizing the balance and transformation of all things. In feng shui, the mutual coordination and balance of various elements in the environment such as mountains and waters, orientations, and qi fields are also pursued. For example, when choosing a site for a house, the surrounding mountains and waters and the circulation of qi field should be considered to achieve a state of yin-yang balance and bring good fortune to the residents.
- Correspondence of the generation and restriction of the five elements:
The theory of five elements is closely connected with the Bagua diagram. Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui in the Bagua diagram correspond to the five elements of metal, earth, wood, wood, water, fire, earth, and metal respectively. In feng shui, the principle of the generation and restriction of the five elements is widely used in the analysis and adjustment of the environment. For example, in the five elements, water generates wood. If the water element in a place is relatively strong, then planting wood element plants such as trees around it conforms to the principle of the generation of the five elements in feng shui and is conducive to the smooth circulation of qi field. On the contrary, if there is a situation of the restriction of the five elements, such as metal restricting wood, placing too many metal items in an area where the wood element is the main qi field may destroy the balance of the qi field and have an adverse impact on feng shui.
2.Guidance for orientation layout:
- Correspondence of Bagua orientations: The Bagua diagram divides space into eight orientations, and each orientation has its specific symbolic meaning and attribute. In feng shui, these orientations are closely related to the orientation and layout of houses and buildings. For example, in the acquired Bagua diagram, the Qian position represents the northwest orientation. In residential feng shui, the qi field in the northwest orientation has an important impact on the career and wealth of men in the family. The Kun position represents the southwest orientation and is related to the fortune of women in the family. When feng shui masters plan the layout of a residence, they will determine the positions of various rooms, doors, and windows according to the characteristics of the Bagua orientations to achieve harmony and stability of the qi field.
- Guidance for the circulation of qi field: The layout structure of the Bagua diagram reflects the circulation direction and law of qi field. In feng shui practice, through the design and layout of buildings and spaces, the qi field is guided to flow in the direction implied by the Bagua diagram to enhance the accumulation and circulation of positive energy. For example, setting up a screen or a foyer at the entrance of a building can not only avoid the direct flow of air into the room but also conform to the principle of qi field circulation in the Bagua diagram, so that the qi field entering the room can flow slowly and steadily, creating a good qi field environment for the residents.
- Tools for analysis and judgment:
- Basis for environmental assessment: When surveying the environment, feng shui masters will use the principles and symbolic meanings of the Bagua diagram to analyze and evaluate natural environmental factors such as topography, landforms, and water flow. For example, terrain features such as the trend of mountains and the bends of rivers can be corresponded and interpreted with the corresponding elements in the Bagua diagram to judge the quality of feng shui in that environment. If the shape of a mountain is like a dragon shape in the Bagua diagram (in feng shui, dragon-shaped mountains are regarded as auspicious terrain), and the water flows around it, forming a pattern of "water embracing the dragon", then according to feng shui theory, such an environment has a strong qi field and is conducive to living and development.
- Reference for problem diagnosis: When residents feel uncomfortable or have poor fortune in a certain space, feng shui masters can use the Bagua diagram to diagnose the problem. By analyzing the position of the space in the Bagua diagram and the qi field conditions of related orientations, possible factors of qi field conflict or imbalance can be found. For example, if a corner of a room is located in the Kan position (representing water) in the Bagua diagram, but this corner is in a dark and damp state for a long time, it may lead to an excess of water elements and affect the health and fortune of the residents. Feng shui masters will put forward corresponding adjustment suggestions according to this situation, such as increasing lighting and ventilation measures to improve the qi field of this corner.
What are the specific considerations for home feng shui?
- Living room feng shui:
- Orientation layout: Different orientations of the living room correspond to different feng shui implications and can be arranged according to the principles of the five elements in the Bagua. For example, the east is wood, which is related to the health and career achievements of the residents. Lush green plants or items belonging to water can be placed to enhance fortune. The south is fire, representing fame, prestige and social status. Decorations with red elements can be arranged. The west is metal, related to the fortune and wealth of descendants. It is suitable to place metal products, etc. The north is water, representing career fortune. Aquariums, landscape paintings and other water-related ornaments can be placed.
- Pattern: The living room should be spacious, bright and well-ventilated, and avoid excessive obstacles blocking the air flow. The shape of the living room should be square. It should not have missing corners or irregular shapes. If there is a beam, it can be covered with a ceiling to avoid being pressed by the beam.
- Furniture placement: Sofas are best placed against the wall, implying having a backer, which can increase the career fortune and noble fortune of family members. Sofas should not face the main door directly, otherwise it will form a confrontation pattern, which is not conducive to the stability of the qi field. Electrical appliances such as televisions should not be placed at an oblique angle opposite the sofa to avoid generating evil qi.
- Bedroom feng shui:
- Location selection: The bedroom should be located in an auspicious position of the residence. Generally speaking, the master bedroom should preferably not be located in fierce positions such as the five ghosts and the deadly position. If there are elderly people in the family, the bedroom is better located in the northwest or southeast. Children's bedrooms should avoid being close to the main door or windows.
- Bedhead orientation: The bedhead is best oriented north-south, which is consistent with the direction of the earth's magnetic field and is beneficial to sleep and physical health. The bedhead should not face west, nor should it face the door, window or television directly to avoid forming a confrontation or affecting sleep quality.
- Bedroom environment: The light in the bedroom should not be too strong. Soft lighting should be selected to create a comfortable sleeping atmosphere. Do not place too many electrical appliances in the bedroom to avoid the impact of electromagnetic radiation on health. Mirrors should not face the bed directly to avoid being frightened by the image in the mirror when waking up in the middle of the night.
- Kitchen feng shui:
- Orientation: The kitchen is suitable to be located in the east or southeast. The east has the implication of "purple qi coming from the east", which can introduce wealth qi. In terms of the five elements, wood and fire generate each other, which is beneficial to the family's wealth and health. The southeast also belongs to wood in terms of the five elements. By the same token, it is suitable to set up a kitchen. The kitchen should avoid being located in the northwest and south. The northwest belongs to metal in terms of the five elements and is incompatible with the fire attribute of the kitchen, which will affect the health and wealth of the male homeowner. In the south, fire is added on top of fire, which is unfavorable to the physical health of the residents and food is easy to deteriorate.
- Layout: The stove in the kitchen should be placed against the wall and not be suspended, implying having a foundation and stability. The stove and the sink should not be opposite or adjacent to each other to avoid the conflict between water and fire. The kitchen door should not face the bedroom door or bathroom door directly to avoid the circulation of odors and evil qi.
- Bathroom feng shui:
- Orientation: The bathroom should not be located in the center of the residence, otherwise it will affect the qi field of the entire residence. It is also best that the bathroom is not located above the bedroom to avoid affecting the qi field of the bedroom and the health of the residents.
- Ventilation and cleaning: The bathroom should maintain good ventilation and discharge turbid qi and moisture in time. The bathroom should be cleaned frequently to keep it clean and tidy and avoid the growth of bacteria and odors. The bathroom door should be closed at any time to prevent the overflow of evil qi.
- Door and window feng shui:
- Door orientation: The main door is the air inlet of the residence and should face an auspicious orientation. For example, for a residence facing south from north, the main door should be facing south or east and not north or west. The size of the door should be moderate and match the area and pattern of the residence.
- Window position and size: The positions of windows should be reasonably distributed to ensure sufficient lighting and ventilation indoors. Windows should not be too large or too small. If they are too large, the qi field is easily leaked out. If they are too small, it will affect the yang qi indoors. Windows should not face sharp objects or the corners of buildings directly to avoid forming evil qi.
- Plant feng shui:
- Selection: Choosing suitable plants can increase the vitality and vitality of the home. For example, plants such as Dracaena sanderiana, Pachira macrocarpa, and Epipremnum aureum have the implications of attracting wealth and bringing good fortune. Plants such as Clivia miniata and Asparagus setaceus can relax the nerves and help create a comfortable living environment.
- Placement: Plants should not be placed at the head of the bed or behind the sofa in the bedroom to avoid affecting sleep and fortune. Plants should avoid being placed under beams or in places with relatively heavy yin qi such as bathrooms. Withered plants should be cleaned up in time to avoid affecting the qi field of the home.
By mastering the knowledge related to the Bagua diagram and feng shui, we can find a breakthrough in fate, and then specifically pray for talismans or tokens to achieve the goal of defying fate and changing fortune and become a winner in life!