Feng Shui History of Xingshi Pai & Liqi Pai

Before we can get into the history of Xingshi Pai (Form School) and Liqi Pai (Compass School) of Feng Shui I think we need to answer the question of when the use of these principles actually began. The exact origin of Feng Shui has been debated by scholars for centuries. It will depend on what criteria you want to establish as the first recognition of the principles of Feng Shui. I have seen it dated from the earliest dates of 6000 (B.C.) to as late as 1000 (B.C.).

I personally believe that the BanPo, JiangZhai and PuYang sites of Ancient China's YangShao Culture (5000-3000 B.C.) provides us with the answer. In the excavation of these sites it was found the first evidence that astrology was used in determining the placement of dwellings and graves. The PuYang grave site (Radio Carbon Test showed it was 5000 years old) revealed drawings of the Dragon and Tiger and the use of the stars for alignment.

Although it could be argued that the art of Feng Shui, originally known as Kan Yu, was practiced earlier than this, I feel this is conclusive evidence that the theories used in the Feng Shui History of Xingshi Pai & Liqi Pai Schools began as early as 5000 years ago.

In its infancy the study of this philosophy was in the land formations and environment and how they affected us. For thousands of years the shapes and placements of geological formations and their alignment with the stars were studied to help us achieve good Chi.

It wasn't until the Tang Dynasty that organized bodies of study were developed. Imperial exams even required knowledge of Feng Shui texts and their teachings (Court of Emperor Hi Tsang, 888 A.D.).

It was during the Tang Dynasty that Master Yang Yun Sang began his writings and studies of the science and formally established the Landscape School (Form School). He emphasized the identification of areas that had land formation shapes providing good Chi.

Up until this time no one had formally organized in written text the principles of Land Formation. The Ruling Class was the only group who had access to the early studies that did exist. It was through the prolific writings of Master Yang Yun Sang that the lower classes of China began to gain access to these formal studies. This is the reason that many feel Master Yun Sang should be considered the most significant figure in the history of Feng Shui.

His three most noted publications were:

* The Art of Rousing the Dragon (Han Lung Ching)
* Methods of Locating the Dragon's Lair (Ching Hang Ao Chih)
* Canons Approximating Dragons (I Lung Ching)

It was not until over a century later that the second traditional school evolved, the Compass School (Liqi Pai). It came into existence at about the time of the discovery of the compass (invented in China around 1044).

The Compass School of Feng Shui was initially developed primarily through the works and teachings of Master Wang Chih. The Compass School did not discredit the Form School's teaching but instead further defined them and expanded them through the use of the compass and other philosophies that evolved over time. The principles and theories that were developed in the Compass School are still practiced today.

Some of the principles and theories developed by the Compass School are:

*The Theory of Five Elements
*Octagonal BaGua utilizing compass directions and I-Ching Trigrams
*The Yin Yang Theory
*The Lo-Shu Square
*The Time Dimension
*The Kua Number

These two traditional schools remained separate until the late nineteenth century when they merged and formed the Traditional Eastern School of Feng Shui that we know today.

That concludes the Feng Shui History of Xingshi Pai & Liqi Pai. I have another article published on this site describing the Western School of Feng Shui (Black Hat Tantric Buddhism or BTB). There are many schools of thought opening up but you will find many of the basic principles and certainly the goals of each primarily the same.

Until later, please have good health, prosperity, and experience Sheng Chi!

For a brief history of the Schools of Kan Yu check out my article Feng Shui Ancient History

For details on the principles of developing good Chi check out my article Chinese Art of Feng Shui

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History of Feng Shui

Create a New and Better Life With Feng Shui

Feng Shui has improved all areas of my life. It is an ancient Chinese philosophy that is over 3,000 years old. It seems to me that a teaching that is that old and has been used all of these years must have some value in it or it would have died out long ago. It is about bringing balance into our homes and our lives.

I became a believer in Feng Shui as I read about and tested the idea that Chi (life energy) flows in, through and around all things constantly and can become stagnant by accumulated clutter we may have in our home and garage. The idea is to encourage the Chi to flow through your home-not too fast and not too slow but smoothly and gently. Piles of paper and magazines on a desk top or table are traps for good energy.

Chi flows in a rush down the street in front of your home and up the driveway and into the front door when it is opened. A way to slow down the rapid flow of Chi is by placing a beautiful rug in your entry way.

Chi can be trapped in corners and can flow into bathrooms and down open drains and toilets when the lids are left up and by so doing, can take our prosperity with it down the drain. Have you ever noticed that your money just disappears and your wallet and bank account seem to empty out very fast? An open bathroom door and toilet lid can be the cause.

Another way to prevent the good Chi energy from exiting your home and bounce the Chi back the other way is to put a full size mirror on the outside of the bathroom door, thus redirecting the Chi back into your home.

By keeping your toilet lids down and your bathroom doors closed a subtle change will occur. Clear that clutter. Move and / or remove a few items in your home. Tables and other items should have rounded and not pointed edges. Some of the remedies for sharp edges could be a soft scarf, a live plant, or a beautiful throw draped over the corner of a table.

Before you do start moving furniture, the first step in Feng Shui is to clear your clutter. Okay, I know this can be a daunting task. But it must be done. Don't try to do the whole house at once, take one room at a time. Chi, the life force, stagnates in clutter. Clutter is depressing and can make us physically sick. Most of us have so much stuff that we don't need and never use. You can give it away, sell it, or throw it away. Keep what you love and treasure. Discard what you don't. But clear your clutter you must.

Peace, happiness, prosperity, and relationships can be improved by using Feng Shui. Try it. Have fun with it. Your life may change for the better. Mine did.

Gail Manishor is the author of From Here to Serenity, A Spiritual Guide to Transform Your Life, Gail's mission is to help people come to the realization of the Truth of who they really are and guide them through her counseling and writing to a place of peace and serenity. Visit Gail's website at: http://gmanishor.com

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Feng Shui History

Some say that Feng shui history can be traced back to 3,000 years ago, while others say there are records that show it was in practice even up to 5,000 years ago in China. Whether 3,000 or 5,000, it is astonishing to see how the strength of this powerful body of knowledge has spread around the world and how widely used it is to this very day.

Feng Shui (pronounced fung-shway) means wind water but in ancient China, this art was once known as Hum Yue which translates to heavenly path and earthly path respectively. Both these terms describe the power of harnessing energy or chi in the environment.

The Early Years

Feng Shui history books such as The Book of Songs or Shih Ching, first introduced this ancient wisdom and spoke of how it should be practiced. They were documented over many years beginning in the ninth century BC. During the Han dynasty in China, around 206 BC to 224 AD, the Record of Rites or Li Chi, compiled by Kuo Po, talked about how it could be applied to graves. It was not until the Sung dynasty, around 960 AD to 1279 that Wang Chi documented on how it could be applied to house building.

Feng Shui Today

Feng shui history credits one particular man for it's development over the years to what we know it to be today, Kuen Chok. Kuen Chok mastered the art during the Tang dynasty and published many books on its practice, sharing the knowledge that we use to this day.

If we were to visit Hong Kong, we can see how popular and practiced this study is today as it was many years ago. From millionaire tycoons to family homes, everyone has jumped on the bandwagon and reaped the benefits of this ancient science. In fact, it is fascinating to see how the landscape and geography of the island of Hong Kong itself has been molded with these principles in such a way as to contribute to the wealth and prosperity of the city with the mountains behind and the harbor in front along its financial strip.

In Hong Kong today, experts in the field are often consulted in the preliminary stages of buildings and houses to ensure that they are built on and with the most auspicious placements and spaces. Some indications of this can be seen in eight sided rooms in offices and even a building with a large hole through the middle in which to permit any negative energies to flow through its frame so as not to affect its inhabitants. Using what they've learnt from feng shui history and applying it in the early stages of planning, they eliminate the need to later correct any negative energy captured in the framework of the building or house which can be quite costly when you consider the construction of a large building.

Feng shui history has taught us a lot about using the energies of the environments we live in to live more happier, profitable and satisfying lives in this modern world. It is through the natural energy of the universe that we ultimately attain this balance of power and harmony to give ourselves the best opportunities for love, prosperity, success, health and happiness.

Lin Mai is a feng shui enthusiast and author. Visit Way to Feng Shui for more insight into feng shui history and how you can successfully apply it to your modern day life.

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