In the study of Feng Shui,”Qi”is an extremely crucial and mysterious concept that permeates the entire theoretical system of Feng Shui.It is one of the core elements for understanding Feng Shui.However,many people are often confused about what”Qi”actually is,even dismissing it as nonsense.In fact,from the perspective of traditional culture,”Qi”has its unique connotations and significance.
The Philosophical Origins of Qi
In ancient Chinese philosophy,”Qi”is an extremely important concept.Taoism believes that all things in the universe are composed of”Qi,”which is the fundamental substance constituting the world.TheTao Te Chingmentions,”The Tao gives birth to One;One gives birth to Two;Two gives birth to Three;Three gives birth to all things.All things carry Yin and embrace Yang,and through the blending of Qi,harmony is achieved.”Here,”Qi”is regarded as an intangible and flowing energy that possesses both material attributes and energetic characteristics.This concept has profoundly influenced the understanding of”Qi”in Feng Shui,which regards”Qi”as a mysterious force that can affect the fortune and misfortune of both the environment and people.
The Manifestations of Qi in Feng Shui
In Feng Shui,”Qi”has multiple forms of manifestation.Firstly,it is closely related to topography and landforms.Mountains are considered”dragon veins,”and their trends and shapes determine the direction and strength of the flow of”Qi.”When mountains are continuous and undulating,the Qi flows smoothly and can gather and transport energy.For example,the”Qi”of a winding and meandering mountain range will flow along its contours.If the mountain range is interrupted or damaged,the”Qi”will dissipate.In contrast,in plain areas,where the terrain is flat,”Qi”tends to be more scattered and difficult to gather.Secondly,”Qi”is also closely related to water.Water can both gather and disperse”Qi.”Rivers,lakes,and other bodies of water can accumulate”Qi”and create a favorable energy field in their surroundings.Therefore,in Feng Shui,people often choose to live or build structures near water sources to take advantage of water’s ability to gather”Qi.”For example,many ancient cities were located at the confluence of rivers,such as Chang’an(present-day Xi’an)and Luoyang.These cities were not only strategically placed for transportation but also thrived due to the prosperous atmosphere created by the gathering of”Qi”from water.
The Distinction Between Auspicious and Inauspicious Qi
Feng Shui believes that there is a distinction between auspicious and inauspicious”Qi.”Auspicious Qi brings good fortune,health,and prosperity,while inauspicious Qi leads to disasters,diseases,and decline.Auspicious Qi is usually characterized by a gentle,soothing,and smooth energy field that brings comfort and peace to people.For example,in an environment with beautiful scenery and mountains and waters surrounding it,the”Qi”is often auspicious.In contrast,inauspicious Qi is characterized by a hurried,chaotic,and gloomy energy field that causes people to feel oppressed and uneasy.For example,in places with harsh terrain and poor environments,such as graveyards or desolate mountains,the”Qi”is often inauspicious.In architectural layouts,people use various methods to regulate”Qi”to achieve the goal of avoiding misfortune and inviting good fortune.For example,they may use screens or plant trees to block inauspicious Qi,or open windows and doors to introduce auspicious Qi.
The Relationship Between Qi and People
Feng Shui emphasizes the close relationship between”Qi”and people.People living in an environment are affected by the”Qi.”If the”Qi”field of the environment is good,people will be healthy,mentally well,and successful in their careers.Conversely,if the”Qi”field is poor,people are more likely to fall ill and have low fortune.Therefore,ancient people paid great attention to choosing their living environments to ensure they lived in places surrounded by auspicious Qi.For example,when selecting a residence,they would consider factors such as the orientation of the house and the surrounding topography to ensure that auspicious Qi could be introduced and inauspicious Qi blocked.Moreover,Feng Shui also believes that human activities can affect the flow and change of”Qi.”For example,if a person is kind-hearted and behaves properly,the”Qi”field of his environment will become better and better.On the contrary,if a person has evil intentions and behaves poorly,the”Qi”field of his environment will be negatively affected.
In Feng Shui,”Qi”is a core concept.It is both the foundation of the theory and the key factor in determining fortune and misfortune.The purpose of Feng Shui is to balance the energy field of Qi to achieve harmony between humans and nature,using the power of nature to change one’s fortune,and realizing the goals of turning danger into safety,transforming difficulties into good fortune,and achieving one’s wishes.
