Whole Feng Shui practice is based on applying the following Feng Shui principles: Qi, Yin & Yang, Five Transformations, 8 Trigrams, 10 Stems and 12 Branches!
Basic Principles
Qi
Known as The Breath of Nature Qi is providing sustaining life. This mysterious concept had inspired many wise men, who were devoting their lives to the exploration of Qi manifestations and qualities.
Three main types of Qi are: Earth Qi, Heaven Qi and Man Qi.
- Earth Qi is the most stable and long lasting; it is known as the Host Qi.
- Heaven Qi is also known as the Guest Qi, its ways are mysterious.
- Man Qi is the most flexible, fluctuating between Earth and Heaven.
In Classical Feng Shui, it is desirable that the Location has an abundance of good-quality Qi and that the landscape provides its further accumulation. Finally, it is important that our building (or grave) can tap into it. For there is no use of abundant Qi in the surroundings – if we can not use it.
Qi is also appearing in the five following states: Prosperous, Growing, Retreating, Dead and Killing.
Prosperous, Wang Qi, is the most important and the most auspicious Qi, bringing most of all improvements and prosperity. Growing Qi is known as Sheng Qi and it also auspicious, while bringing fortune and finally – success.
Retreating or Dui Qi is decreasing and is therefore becoming inauspicious. Dead or Si Qi is stagnant, creating hindrances and problems. Sha or Killing Qi is the opposite of Sheng Qi, being destructive and harmful.
Yin & Yang
Yin is basically a nourishing female principle, complex, deep, steady and wise. Its nature is slow, humid and cold, and it is ruling over night time and winter. Yin is also mysterious, hidden, dark and material. Yang is warm and superficial male principle, quick and vital, impulsive and passionate. It is moving from inside to the outside, ruling over day time, hot and dry weather.
They are complementing and balancing each other, like the sunny side of the hill and the shady one.
| Yang | Yin |
| male | female |
| visible | invisible |
| light | dark |
| warm | cold |
| outside | inside |
| simple | complex |
| white | black |
| superficial | deep |
| outspoken | restrained |
| extrovert | introvert |
| sunny side of the hill | shadowy side of the hill |
Five Transformations
Feng Shui priciples- Five Transformations
Five Elements or Five Transformations are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Each element is appearing both as Yin or Yang.
Wood mù
木
SE, E
Wood creates Fire,controls Earth,is controlled by Metal and produced by Water.
Fire huǒ
火
S
Fire creates Earth, controls Metal, is controlled by Water and produced by Wood.
Earth tǔ
土
NE,SW
Earth creates Metal, controls Water, is controlled by Wood and produced by Fire.
Metal jīn
金
W,NW
Metal creates Water, controls Wood, is controlled by Fire and produced by Earth.
Water shuǐ
水
N
Water creates Wood,controls Fire, iscontrolled by Earthand produced by Metal.
Each element has its own qualities, directions, etc.
Wood represents youthful energy and growth phase; Fire is to passion and initiative; Earth is stable and persistent; Metal is sharp and focus; Water is the source of intellience and wisdom… Basic element qualities and relationship are crucial for accurate Feng Shui practice.
Feng Shui principles – 8 Trigrams
There are 8 Trigrams: Qian, Kun, Kan, Li, Zhen, Dui, Gen and Xun (Heaven, Earth, Water, Fire, Thunder, Lake, Mountain, and Wind). Each trigram rules over one direction and three ’’Mountains’’ of the Compass.
10 Stems, 12 Branches
Ten Stems and 12 Branches represent expanded concepts of Yin, Yang and Five Transformations.
They have application in Ba Zi and all Feng Shui systems.
10 Heavenly Stems
- Jia 甲, Yang Wood
- Yi 乙, Yin Wood
- Bing 丙, Yang Fire
- Ding 丁, Yin Fire
- Wu 戊, Yang Earth
- Ji 己, Yin Earth
- Geng 庚,Yang Metal
- Xin 辛, Yin Metal
- Ren 壬, Yang Water
- Gui 癸, Yin Water
12 Earthly Branches
| Branch | Sign | Chinese | Directions | Hours | Season | |
| 1 | 子 | Rat | zǐ | 0° (North) | 23-01 | Winter |
| 2 | 丑 | Ox | chǒu | 30° | 1-3 | Winter |
| 3 | 寅 | Tiger | yín | 60° | 3-5 | Spring |
| 4 | 卯 | Rabbit | mǎo | 90°(East) | 5-7 | Spring |
| 5 | 辰 | Dragon | chén | 120° | 7-9 | Spring |
| 6 | 巳 | Snake | sì | 150° | 9 – 11 | Summer |
| 7 | 午 | Horse | wǔ | 180°(South) | 11 – 13 | Summer |
| 8 | 未 | Goat | wèi | 210° | 13 – 15 | Summer |
| 9 | 申 | Monkey | shēn | 240° | 15 – 17 | Autumn |
| 10 | 酉 | Rooster | yǒu | 270°(West) | 17 – 19 | Autumn |
| 11 | 戌 | Dog | xū | 300° | 19 – 21 | Autumn |
| 12 | 亥 | Pig | hài | 330° | 21 – 23 | Winter |
