Feng Shui History - The Art and Science of 5,000 Years

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.

Autor: Lin Mai

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.

Added: January 30, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/