Addition to orienting houses for the dead (yin houses), early fung shiu was used to situate houses for the living (yang houses). Indeed, it is the planning of individual residences that feng shui is most strongly rooted in the practice. The ancient Chinese notice that a house was warmer and more protected when facing the sunny south and surrounded by rolling hills to dissipate any harsh winds. Such a site become known as the "Dragon protecting the Pearl" in ancient texts and it was said that here Qi could gather ad grow instead of being swept away by wind. Conversely, an area with strong winds was not a good feng shui site as the Qi would dissipate, carrying away the good luck and wealth with it.

In ancient china feng shui was not an esoteric discipline practiced only by certain tribal members- it was an integral part of native culture, something that touched everyone’s life. As proof of this, feng shui scholars point to archeological evidence showing that neolithic Chinese routinely build encampments and villages inside bows of rivers. This lucky position was – and still is – thought to provide a healthy flow of Qi

Indeed, the development of Chinese culture is reflected in feng shui. Throughout the development of the human civilization, new philosophies were combined with lifespace placement, beginning with astrology, astronomy and mathematics which supplied intricate star chats designed to help ruler, farmer and even peasants build palaces, public buildings, graveyards, farms and residences. The I Ching contributed detailed trigrams and maps to feng shui practice. The three primary religions of China – Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism – also added their imprint to feng shui.

The various I Ching disciplines such as Feng Shui, Taoism, Qigong and Astrology, Feng Shui has shown resilience and continuously evolved through Chinese history. From its beginning 6000 years ago to the present, feng shui theories have been set up, tested, either abandoned or accepted and developed. Much of feng shui’s “fine tuning” has occurred in the last few centuries as technology presented such advances as mirrors, electricity, indoor plumbing, telephones, elevators, and computers, and ore was learned about the environment and science. In fact, in China, feng shui is considered interrelated to the following disciplines: Astrology, Ecology, Geology, Psychology, Astronomy, Geography, and Meteorology. 

The above list may grow longer in the near future. After all, Feng Shui theory will continue to change as humankind’s knowledge expands and our world changes.

Feng Shui and Human Life 

An ancient Chinese saying about good fortune says: “First comes destiny, then comes luck. Third comes feng shui, followed by philanthropy and education.” Indeed, both the ancient and modern Chinese believe there are several things one can do to increase one’s luck. The following list contains a number of elements believed to influence good fortune:

 Fate

Many Chinese people believe that the year you were born is the most accurate determiner of your fate: The birth month plays a slightly diminished role, the day a slightly more diminished role, and the hour an even more diminished role.

 Opportunity

Every time you make choices you influence your luck. In fact, the Chinese believe that each subsequent opportunity that arises in your life is determined by the one before it.

Feng Shui

Your home’s interior and exterior environment can bring positive or negative Qi

Doing good things for next life

Performing good deeds for the people around you is believed to ensure good things in your next life. Plus, when you are kind to others, they are kind in return – an easy way to increase your luck!

Studying

Accumulating knowledge opens a person’s inner senses, which in turn will direct an individual to his or her life’s correct direction.

Another Chinese theory developed by Taoist to help people understand how to manage their life advises that “Timing is from heaven, location is on earth and harmony is of people.”

Timing

The Chinese believe that human fate is controlled by the universe. Because the universe is constantly evolving, each person’s fate is always changing. Thus, a person born lucky may become unlucky in the middle or old age, while a person born unlucky may become lucky later in life. In other words, your luck depends on the time, or the position of the universe.

Location

In the West, we have the saying “Location, Location, Location.” While this refers to business real estate, it is just as relevant to other areas of life. For instance, being in an area where there is a fault line is an unlucky location when an earthquake occurs.

People

The Chinese believe the people you allow into your life bring their good or bad luck with them, making it important to select your friends carefully. In general, individuals with high morals are seen as more beneficial as friends than those with poor morals.