Feng Shui

Feng shui, which generally translates to “wind and water,” is an ancient folk art that originated in China. It consists of arranging structures and objects to maximize qi, a movable life force that can be positive or negative. This arrangement is thought to increase the harmony between people and their environments. The slope of a building site, its soil quality, and the climate are all factored into a feng shui assessment.

Qi, pronounced “chee,” is one of the most important concepts within the practice of feng shui. Qi represents the celestial breath of the mythical dragon as well as the life force of every person. Qi is thought to flow everywhere but is more plentiful in some places. As qi brings prosperity, good luck, and happiness, in general the aim of feng shui is to allow for the ready flow of qi. Some ways to make this happen are to reduce sharp edges and remove clutter and debris.

During the early 19th century, the United States was introduced to feng shui by the first Chinese immigrants. The most notable examples of early American feng shui include the Chinese ghetto, the Four Corners section of New York, and the Chinatowns in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Mao Zedong outlawed feng shui in the Peoples Republic of China because he considered it a superstition and believed that many fraudsters promulgated the practice.

As of 2013, feng shui is again practiced in China, as well as many other places in the world. The United States in particular is home to a flourishing cottage industry of feng shui practitioners who consult about landscaping and interior design. One notable feng shui user is Donald Trump, who reportedly does not believe in the practice per se, but desires to retain Asian business by respecting the practice.

In 1991 the American Feng Shui Institute (AFSI) was founded in the Los Angeles area by Chinese American Larry Sang. As of 2013 it is the longest-established school of feng shui in the United States in one, steady location. The school boasts graduates in many countries all over the world.