1 Direction/Position: The Core Language of Feng Shui
In Feng Shui, “Direction/Position” (方位, Fāngwèi) is far more than simple geographical orientation; it is a complex symbolic system used to understand and optimize the flow of energy (Qi) in an environment . This system originated from the ancient Chinese people’s observation of natural laws.
The importance of direction/position in Feng Shui stems from the ancient Chinese philosophical belief that “Whenever the direction/position differs, the earth energy (地气, Dìqì) differs accordingly; local products and resources also differ, and thus the influence on a person’s fortune and physical health differs” . This concept reflects a profound Chinese understanding of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
For foreigners, understanding the concept of direction/position in Feng Shui is a key to opening the door to traditional Chinese culture.
2 The Basic Framework of Feng Shui Directions
2.1 Natural Directions and the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) & Five Elements
The most fundamental directional system in Feng Shui is the eight-direction system, where each direction corresponds to a trigram from the Bagua (八卦, Bāguà, the eight fundamental symbols) and one of the Five Elements (五行, Wǔxíng) .
- Due East (正东): Corresponds to the Zhen (震) Trigram. Five Elements: Wood. Symbolizes growth and development.
- Southeast (东南): Corresponds to the Xun (巽) Trigram. Five Elements: Wood. Governs wisdom and interpersonal relationships.
- Due South (正南): Corresponds to the Li (离) Trigram. Five Elements: Fire. Represents fame and vitality.
- Southwest (西南): Corresponds to the Kun (坤) Trigram. Five Elements: Earth. Associated with femininity and family.
- Due West (正西): Corresponds to the Dui (兑) Trigram. Five Elements: Metal. Involves joy and eloquence.
- Northwest (西北): Corresponds to the Qian (乾) Trigram. Five Elements: Metal. Symbolizes the male host and career.
- Due North (正北): Corresponds to the Kan (坎) Trigram. Five Elements: Water. Associated with wisdom and wealth.
- Northeast (东北): Corresponds to the Gen (艮) Trigram. Five Elements: Earth. Represents stability and academic studies.
This system links direction, natural elements, and life domains together, forming a complete diagnostic tool .
2.2 Sitting (坐, Zuò) and Facing (向, Xiàng): Core Concepts in Directional Analysis
In Feng Shui practice, “Sitting Mountain” (坐山, Zuòshān) and “Facing Direction” (朝向, Cháoxiàng) are two core concepts :
- Sitting Mountain (坐山): Refers to the direction upon which the back of a house or building relies (usually the direction pointed to by the rear end of the building’s central axis). It represents support and stability.
- Facing Direction (朝向): Refers to the direction that the front of the house or building faces (usually the direction pointed to by the front end of the building’s central axis). It represents outlook and engagement.
Common descriptions include “sitting north facing south” (坐北朝南, Zuǒběi Cháonán) or “sitting east facing west” (坐东朝西, Zuǒdōng Cháoxī). The traditional Chinese architectural concept holds that “the living face south, the deceased head north” (生者南向，死者北首, Shēngzhě nán xiàng, sǐzhě běi shǒu), meaning dwellings for the living are best oriented facing south . This is partly because a south-facing orientation receives more sunlight, and it also aligns with the traditional Chinese concept of “governing facing the light” (向明而治, Xiàngmíng ér zhì).
3 The Precise System of Directional Measurement
3.1 The 24 Mountains (二十四山向, Èrshísì Shānxiàng): The Feng Shui Practitioner’s Precise Tool
For more precise directional measurement, Feng Shui developed the 24 Mountains (or 24 Directions) system, which divides the 360-degree circle into 24 equal segments (15 degrees each) . This system is composed of the Eight Heavenly Stems (天干, Tiāngān), the Four Corner Trigrams (四维卦, Sìwéi Guà), and the Twelve Earthly Branches (地支, Dìzhī).
Through the 24 Mountains system, practitioners can precisely determine the sitting and facing of a house, the positions of doors and windows (considered “mouths of Qi” 气口, Qìkǒu), and the influence of the external environment .
3.2 Direction-Finding Principles for Modern Buildings
For modern buildings, determining the facing direction follows several basic principles :
- Facing the Yang (以阳为向): The direction with the largest sunlight-exposed area is considered the facing direction.
- Facing Movement (以动为向): The direction facing roads, flowing water, or other dynamic elements is the facing direction.
- Facing Openness (以宽广为向): The open, low-lying side is the facing direction, while the high, narrow side is the sitting mountain.
These principles demonstrate the practical adaptation of Feng Shui to modern environments.
4 The Four Celestial Animals (四灵兽, Sì Língshòu): The Spatial Model of an Ideal Environment
4.1 The Directional Meaning of the Four Animals
The configuration of Left Green Dragon (左青龙, Zuǒ Qīnglóng), Right White Tiger (右白虎, Yòu Báihǔ), Front Red Bird (前朱雀, Qián Zhūquè), and Rear Black Tortoise (后玄武, Hòu Xuánwǔ) is a classic term in Chinese Feng Shui describing the ideal environmental model . This concept can be traced back to shell dragon and tiger images found at the Yangshao Cultural Site in Henan, dating back 6500 years, considered an origin of Feng Shui.
- Green Dragon (Left/East): Represents auspiciousness, power, and career. Should be tall,蜿蜒 (wānyán, winding). Corresponds to Wood element.
- White Tiger (Right/West): Symbolizes potential danger and minor adversaries. Should be low,伏 (fú, crouching/submissive). Corresponds to Metal element.
- Red Bird (Front/South): Associated with future prospects and reputation. Should be open, bright, and flat. Corresponds to Fire element.
- Black Tortoise (Rear/North): Represents backing and support. Should be tall, solid, and stable. Corresponds to Water element (sometimes also associated with Earth).
The ideal Feng Shui layout requires “the Black Tortoise hangs its head [slopes gently], the Red Bird dances [is open], the Green Dragon蜿蜒 (winds gracefully), and the White Tiger驯俯 (is tame and crouching)” .
4.2 Modern Application of the Four Animals
In the modern urban environment, the Four Animals can be analogized: the Green Dragon side could be a taller building; the White Tiger side might be a lower park; the Red Bird area corresponds to an open square or road in front; and the Black Tortoise is a higher building or hill behind .
Feng Shui emphasizes balance among the four directions. As Ming Dynasty Feng Shui master Li Mo Zhai stated in his “Pi Jing Ji”: “The left (Green Dragon) and right (White Tiger) and the front (Red Bird) and back (Black Tortoise) of a piece of land are like a person having two hands and two feet” .
5 The Dynamic Relationship Between Directions and Occupants
5.1 The Eight Mansions (八宅, Bāzhái) School and Directional Auspiciousness/Auspiciousness
The Eight Mansions school of Feng Shui divides the eight directions into four auspicious directions and four inauspicious directions for a specific dwelling, determined based on the house’s sitting/facing and the occupant’s Life Trigram (命卦, Mìngguà) .
The four auspicious directions are: Shengqi (生气, Vitality), Yannian (延年, Longevity), Tianyi (天医, Heaven’s Doctor), and Fuwèi (伏位, Resting Position). The four inauspicious directions are: Jueming (绝命, Total Loss), Wugui (五鬼, Five Ghosts), Huohai (祸害, Calamity), and Liusha (六煞, Six Killings) .
5.2 Flying Stars (飞星, Fēixīng): The Temporal Dimension of Directions
Auspiciousness and inauspiciousness in Feng Shui are not fixed but change over time . The Flying Star (玄空飞星, Xuánkōng Fēixīng) school combines time (Three Cycles Nine Periods, 三元九运, Sānyuán Jiǔyùn) and space (directions), positing that different Flying Stars (represented by numbers 1-9) fly to different sectors of a house each year, influencing the energy of that sector.
For example, the annual Wuhuang (五黄煞, Five Yellow) star, considered the most malevolent, should not be disturbed by renovations, as it can trigger accidents. Conversely, the sector where the Bābái (八白, Eight White) wealth star resides can be activated to enhance financial luck .
6 Application of Directions in Practical Life
6.1 Residential Direction Selection
According to Feng Shui principles, the following should be noted when choosing a residence :
- Northwest (Qian): Represents the male host and career. Should be tall, solid, and “full”. Not suitable for being low, sunken, or having kitchens or toilets.
- Southwest (Kun): Relates to the female host and family fortune. Should be spacious and bright.
- East (Zhen): Affects the eldest son and career development. Should be slightly elevated but not excessively high.
- Southeast (Xun): Governs wisdom and academic studies. Should be level and open.
Chinese traditional culture emphasizes the principle of balance: “If the north is high, the south should be low; if the east is high, the west should be low; if the northwest is low, the southeast should be high” .
6.2 Layout of Interior Functional Areas
Feng Shui directions also guide the layout of interior spaces :
- Study: Suitable in the Southeast (文昌位, Wénchāng wèi, Scholar/Arts star sector) or North (Wisdom sector).
- Bedroom: The master bedroom is suitable in the Northwest or Southwest. Children’s bedrooms are suitable in the East or Southeast.
- Kitchen: Should not be in the Northwest (can harm the male host) or Southwest (unfavorable for the female host).
- Living Room: Should be near the front of the house, kept bright and open.
7 Adjusting Directions in the Modern Urban Environment
In modern urban settings, achieving perfectly ideal Feng Shui directions is often difficult. Therefore, Feng Shui has developed various adjustment methods :
For unfavorable directions, balance can be achieved through the generation and restriction cycles of the Five Elements. For example, if the West (Metal) is overly strong, it can be balanced by adding Water elements (Metal generates Water) or Fire elements (Fire restricts Metal).
For houses with missing corners or unfavorable directional sectors, symbolic items can be used to remedy the situation. For example, a missing Northeast corner can be remedied by placing an object related to the Ox (Earthly Branch 丑, Chǒu); issues in the East can be remedied with Rabbit (Earthly Branch 卯, Mǎo) objects .
8 Directions as the Art of Harmony Between Humans and Environment
The concept of direction/position in Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese exploration of the ideal living environment, embodying the philosophical thought of “the unity of heaven and humanity” (天人合一, Tiānrén Héyī) . It is both a complex symbolic system and a practical guide for environmental planning.
For modern people, especially foreign readers, understanding Feng Shui directions is not about blind superstition, but about appreciating the ecological wisdom and spatial aesthetics contained within it. As a Feng Shui classic says: “A dwelling takes form as its body, springs as its blood vessels, land as its skin and flesh, and grass and trees as its hair” . The concept of direction is a concrete manifestation of this holistic thinking.
By reasonably applying the principles of Feng Shui directions, we can create more harmonious and healthy living environments, achieving a balanced coexistence between humans and nature.