Feng shui has been around for centuries. Those who believe in its power are usually more in balance with their surrounding and exhibit a positive energy. However, this chinese philosophy is not something that can be understood overnight.

This is a complicated and confusing philosophy. However, if one is truly devoted to its knowledge and historical meaning, then a person can truly achieve harmony within and with their surroundings.

This Chinese philosophy began in ancient China around the third century B.C. with the West Han dynasty. According to feng shui design, a belief exists that the earth is a being with life that has an energy surrounding it.

That energy in Chinese is called "chi". Chi is determined by the placement of an object and the actual physical surroundings placed around that object. The site around an object, usually a building, is believed to have either positive or negative energy.

In ancient China feng shui design was practiced by rich and poor alike. According to the website Indobase who gives a wonderful detailed explanation of the history of this chinese philosophy, "In ancient China a city was planned in concentric rectangles surrounded by walls surrounded by lakes, hills, valley, gardens, courtyards and parks."

The Chinese tried to ensure that both the manmade and the natural environment were planned to promote and enhance positive energy. Then they were landscaped using the Yin and Yang ideas.

Good feng shui was ensured by the ancients when they constructed the buildings to enhance harmonious relationships between members of a family and between the family and country.

According to feng shui design, "the left of the building represented Yang or male force and was connected to the forces of heaven and the right of the building represented Yin or the female force and was connected with the energies of the earth." The Yang forces were represented in sun lit roofs and elevation in the front.

Yin forces were represented in structures that had shadowed eaves and elevations in the back. If a structure was not balanced and leaned more toward either Yin or Yang forces then this would be considered improper and unbalanced.

Ancient emperors built their palaces based on this feng shui guide and this was thought to be very favorable to power.

Feng shui needs to be fully researched in order to be understood. The ancient Chinese were looking for a way to promote a more harmonious environment when they began to use this chinese philosophy. In today's society, lives are becoming more and more hectic.

If a person can find tranquility and peace by using feng shui, then more should try this unique and life altering philosophy.

About the Author

Mike Selvon has some informative feng shui articles for the creative mind. Find out more about the history of feng shui at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our feng shui blog.