Feng shui 風水 [HISTORY OF FENG-SHUI]

HISTORY OF FENG-SHUI

 The origins of feng-shui may well go further back then six thousand yeas ago, the mid-neolithic period in chinese history. it is said that when the communities were established there it used to be in valleys next riverside people had begun to farm, domesticate animals and grow food crop. the term for feng-shui in ancient chinese texts was originally Kan Yn, which means 'observe the ways of heaven and investigate the ways of earth'. feng-shui literally translates as 'wind' [movement] and 'water' [harnessing, replenishing, protecting] ; the two natural elements that are vital for the support of life.

china had to face flooding right from the very beginning. this is the reason why farms and villages there were always auspiciously placed within the protective fold of mountains, shielded from harmful wind and nurtured by the gentle, winding streams. those who planned this way prospered in agriculture and developed their trading skills. this advantage of location that they had wasn't there with their neighboring countries and hence they produced social, cultural and military leader unlike their neighbors who were exposed to harsh winds and inhospitable terrains. 

Even death cotributed in their planning. it was important to build the graves of ancestors in good place that would be unaffected by floods [water] and typhoons [wind]. So the first usage of feng-shui was done in finding the best location of graves according to feng-shui principles. 

Traditionally, feng-shui was considered a highly guarded secret of the chinese imperial court all feng-shui masters were forbidden to release their potentially powerful knowledge to outsider, consequently, knowledge was handed down from father.