What Is the Chinese Importance of Feng Shui?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
Bibliography

Introduction

Feng Shui style has become an extremely popular one in recent decades, but before we start discussing the peculiarities of this style, it is of utmost importance to define the very essence of Feng Shui culture. The next point we are going to discuss is the way this culture or perhaps it would be better to say the system of aesthetics influenced Chinese art and architecture in particular especially within the period from 800 BC to 1200 AD.

Main body

First, we should say that Feng Shui could be defined as a system of aesthetics, originating from ancient China, according to which a person must make use of the laws of astronomy or in other words heaven and geography (that implies earth). By doing that, he can receive positive Q, which will improve his life. It must be mentioned that positive Q means the unity of material and energy.

Early Feng Shui attached great importance to astronomy in order to find an optimal correlation between human beings and the universe. Moreover, we should mention the theory of polarity or the so-called Yin Yan theory according to which one part must create exertion and the other must receive it. It is believed that there are five elements of Feng Shui; they are fire, water, wood, earth, and metal. Each of them is made of Yin and Yang. The main task is to find the perfect equilibrium between the two basic elements.

Judging by the principles of Feng Shui, creating a positive flow of energy and establishing balance is of utmost importance. Artistic or architectural elements can either weaken or strengthen the effects of auspicious (positive) or (inauspicious) energies.

It is considered that Feng Shui culture dates back to 4000 BC. Hongshan and Yangshao cultures give the earliest evidence of this aesthetic system. The main peculiarity is the presence of square and round shapes. It proves that there exited the so-called Haitian cosmography. According to it, round forms symbolized heaven, while square forms symbolized earth.

Speaking about the impact of Feng Shui on Chinese architecture, we must first say that it is next to impossible to cover this entire phenomenon in a four-page essay because Chinese architecture is as old as civilization.

Nevertheless, it is quite possible for us to determine the key features of Chinese architecture especially within the context of Feng Shui. First of all, we must mention bilateral symmetry, horizontal emphasis, and hierarchical structure.

As far as bilateral symmetry is concerned, first, we should say, that it symbolizes balance and equilibrium. It has always been a characteristic feature of Chinese architecture and it can be found practically everywhere. Naturally, it can be explained by the strong influence of Feng Shui culture. Speaking about the examples, we should first mention the province of Shanxi and its architecture.

Another characteristic feature of then Chinese architecture is the horizontal emphasis or the horizontal axis. Perhaps it would be prudent to give further explanation. In the overwhelming majority of cases, Chinese architects placed emphasis on the width of the building (Moffett, 22).

Speaking about the influence of Feng Shui on Chinese architecture, we must also mention such characteristic features as the enclosure. For instance, according to Western (not only Western but European in general) architectural tradition, a building tends to be surrounded by open space, but in Chinese architecture tends to construct building complexes in such a way that these buildings would enclose open space within themselves.

From the point of geomancy, it is also of crucial importance to say that the principles of Feng Shui are the most prevailing. First of all, the structure must be oriented with its back to the elevated landscape, and the water must be in front of the structure. It is also worth mentioning that as a rule, the back part of the building is windowless, and in the majority of cases, it faces the north. Surely, there is a practical reason for it, because there the wind is the coldest in winter (Moffett, 38).

Speaking about the structural principles of Feng Shui architecture, it is worth mentioning that there was a strong reliance on timber. We must take into consideration that timber is one of the five elements according to the Feng Shui philosophy. There was a sharp differentiation between the brick and timber, and the functions, which they had to fulfill. As a rule, the solid construction of the building was restricted to walls of the enclosure, screen walls, and defensive walls, while the frame was usually made of timber. However, even taking into account the Feng Shui theory, Western architects still find it very difficult why Chinese architects of the period that we are discussing did not use masonry. Nevertheless, probably this phenomenon can be ascribed to the frequent earthquakes and timber is more resilient to them (Moffett, 41).

The overwhelming majority of ancient cities were constructed following the principle of the Feng Shui theory, according to which the locations must be selected depending on their environmental surroundings. Especially it goes for the period from 800 BC to 1200 AD. As a rule, the central axis of any ancient Chinese city must face the peak of the mountain. It was believed that it would make the city look magnificent and solemn. The brightest example of this style in Chinese architecture is the imperial palace in Beijing, which is located at the center of the city, and the central axis of this building points at Jingshan Mountain.

Conclusion

Thus, we may arrive at the conclusion that such an aesthetic system as Feng Shui had a very strong influence on Chinese architecture and the effects of this influence are still noticeable.

Bibliography

Marian Moffett, Michael Fazio.” Buildings Across Time: An Introduction to World Architecture.” McGraw-Hill, 2004.

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What Is the Chinese Importance of Feng Shui?

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