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| 风水 [2025/08/04 01:37] – created xiaoer | 风水 [2025/08/04 01:38] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== fēngshuǐ: 风水 - Feng Shui, Geomancy ====== | ====== fēngshuǐ: 风水 - Feng Shui, Geomancy ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** fengshui, feng shui, 风水, feng shui meaning, Chinese geomancy, what is feng shui, feng shui principles, feng shui for home, fengshui master, 风水师, Chinese metaphysics, qi energy, Bagua map | * **Keywords:** Feng Shui, fengshui, fēngshuǐ, Chinese geomancy, what is feng shui, Chinese architecture, spatial arrangement, qi energy, harmony with nature, wind and water, good fortune, Chinese philosophy. |
| * **Summary:** Feng Shui (风水) is the ancient Chinese art of arranging spaces to achieve harmony and balance with the natural world's energy flow, known as "qi" (气). Literally meaning "wind and water," this practice is used to design homes, businesses, and even cities to optimize health, wealth, and good fortune. By understanding the principles of Feng Shui, you can learn how Chinese culture views the profound connection between our environment and our destiny. | * **Summary:** Feng Shui (风水) is the ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space to achieve harmony and balance with the natural world. Literally translating to "wind-water," it is a complex philosophical system for optimizing the flow of life energy, or "qi" (气), to improve one's fortune, health, and well-being. Far more than just interior design, Feng Shui is a deeply ingrained cultural practice that influences everything from home layouts to the design of entire cities. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** fēngshuǐ | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** fēngshuǐ |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | * **Part of Speech:** Noun |
| * **HSK Level:** N/A | * **HSK Level:** N/A |
| * **Concise Definition:** A traditional Chinese practice of arranging physical spaces to align with the flow of energy (qi), believed to influence luck, health, and fortune. | * **Concise Definition:** An ancient Chinese system of aesthetics and quasi-science believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive "qi". |
| * **In a Nutshell:** "Feng Shui" literally translates to "wind-water." Wind is the unseen energy that flows, and water is the tangible substance that holds it. The core idea is to orient yourself, your home, or your office to receive positive energy (good qi) and deflect negative energy (bad qi). It's a system for living in harmony with the invisible forces of the universe to improve your well-being. | * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine that the world is filled with invisible rivers of energy. Feng Shui is the practice of positioning yourself, your home, and your workplace to best ride these currents. By arranging your surroundings in a specific way—like placing your bed against a solid wall or ensuring your front door doesn't face a staircase—you can attract positive energy for wealth and health, and deflect negative energy that causes trouble. It's about creating a harmonious flow between you and your environment. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **风 (fēng):** This character means "wind." In the context of Feng Shui, it represents the unseen, flowing energy—the breath or spirit of the environment that you can't see but can feel. It's the active, moving component of cosmic energy. | * **风 (fēng):** Wind. In this context, it represents the unseen, the ethereal, and the flow of energy (qi) that cannot be easily contained. It is the breath of the world. |
| * **水 (shuǐ):** This character means "water." Water represents the physical landforms and bodies of water that hold and collect energy. It's the passive, tangible component that gathers the qi carried by the wind. | * **水 (shuǐ):** Water. This represents the tangible, the flowing, and the visible forces of the earth. Water is essential for life and has long been a symbol of wealth and abundance in Chinese culture. |
| * **Combined Meaning:** Together, **风水 (fēngshuǐ)** represents the interplay between the invisible forces (wind) and the visible landscape (water). The practice is about mastering this relationship to create a supportive and auspicious environment. | Together, **风水 (fēngshuǐ)** literally means "wind and water." The name captures the two primary elements of the natural environment that shape the landscape and, according to the philosophy, direct the flow of universal energy. The goal is to find a location where the gentle wind and clear water will nurture positive qi. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| * **Core Philosophy:** Feng Shui is deeply rooted in Daoist philosophy, particularly the concepts of **`qi` (气)**, the vital life force that permeates everything; **`yīnyáng` (阴阳)**, the balance of opposing but complementary forces; and the **`wǔxíng` (五行)**, the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) that interact with each other. The goal is to achieve **`héxié` (和谐)**, or harmony, between humans and nature. | Feng Shui is deeply rooted in Taoist philosophy, particularly the concepts of **Qi (气)**, the vital life force that flows through everything, and **Yin and Yang (阴阳)**, the balance of opposing forces. The ultimate goal is to achieve harmony between humanity and nature, a concept known as **天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī)**. |
| * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** You could compare Feng Shui to a combination of **architecture, urban planning, and interior design.** However, this comparison is incomplete. While Western design focuses primarily on aesthetics, ergonomics, and function, Feng Shui adds a metaphysical layer. A building isn't just a structure; it's a vessel for energy. A beautiful house with "bad Feng Shui" (e.g., a front door aligned directly with a back door, allowing qi to rush out) is considered inauspicious, regardless of its aesthetic appeal. | A common Western comparison is to **interior design or architecture**, but this comparison is superficial. |
| * **Cultural Impact:** Feng Shui is not just a historical curiosity; it's a living practice. It influences major architectural projects across Asia (like the HSBC Building in Hong Kong), real estate decisions for millions of people, and even personal choices like the placement of a desk or bed. It reflects a worldview where the environment is not a passive backdrop but an active participant in one's life. | * **Interior Design:** Focuses on aesthetics, functionality, and personal taste. Its goal is to make a space look good and work well for its inhabitants. |
| | * **Feng Shui:** Focuses on the flow of invisible energy (qi) to influence fortune, health, and relationships. Its goal is to align a space with cosmic principles. A home can be beautifully designed from a Western perspective but have terrible Feng Shui (e.g., a front door perfectly aligned with a back door, causing money to "flow" right out). |
| | Feng Shui reflects the cultural value of seeking harmony over control. Rather than imposing a structure on the environment, the ideal is to understand the natural forces at play and position oneself advantageously within them. It is a proactive way to improve one's **命运 (mìngyùn)**, or destiny. |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| * **Real Estate and Business:** Feng Shui is a major consideration in real estate. Buyers will often consult a **`风水师` (fēngshuǐ shī)**, or Feng Shui master, before purchasing a property. A home with good Feng Shui can command a higher price. Similarly, businesses will use Feng Shui to design their offices and storefronts to attract customers and ensure prosperity. The direction of the main entrance and the placement of the cash register are critical considerations. | Despite its ancient origins, Feng Shui is very much alive in modern Chinese society, as well as in other parts of East Asia like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. |
| * **Personal Life:** On a personal level, people use Feng Shui to arrange their homes for better health, relationships, and career success. This can involve anything from repositioning a bed so it doesn't face a door ("coffin position") to adding a water feature in a specific corner of the house to activate wealth. | * **Real Estate and Architecture:** When buying a home or designing a building, many people will consult a **风水大师 (fēngshuǐ dàshī)**, or Feng Shui master. The orientation of the front door, the layout of the rooms, and even the shape of the building are all subject to Feng Shui principles. Major corporations have famously spent millions on architectural changes to improve their Feng Shui. |
| * **Spectrum of Belief:** In modern China, attitudes toward Feng Shui range from devout belief to pragmatic acceptance ("it can't hurt") to outright skepticism, where it's dismissed as **`迷信` (míxìn)**, or superstition. However, even among the more skeptical, many will still avoid obviously "bad" Feng Shui layouts out of cultural habit or respect for tradition. | * **Home and Office Layout:** On a smaller scale, individuals arrange furniture to optimize Feng Shui. Common "rules" you might hear include: |
| | * Not sleeping with your feet pointing toward the door (the "coffin position"). |
| | * Placing a screen to block a door that faces a long hallway. |
| | * Avoiding mirrors that face the bed. |
| | * **Connotation and Belief:** Attitudes vary widely. |
| | * **Believers:** See it as an essential and practical science for living a good life. |
| | * **Skeptics:** Dismiss it as **迷信 (míxìn)**, or superstition. |
| | * **The In-Between:** Many people may not be devout believers but will follow basic principles "just in case." It's often a case of "better safe than sorry." |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 我们买新房以前，请了一位**风水**师来看看。 | * 他买房子前，一定会请人看**风水**。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen mǎi xīnfáng yǐqián, qǐngle yí wèi **fēngshuǐ** shī lái kànkan. | * Pinyin: Tā mǎi fángzi qián, yīdìng huì qǐng rén kàn **fēngshuǐ**. |
| * English: Before we bought our new house, we invited a Feng Shui master to take a look. | * English: Before he buys a house, he always hires someone to check the Feng Shui. |
| * Analysis: This is a very common and practical use of the term. It shows how Feng Shui is integrated into major life decisions like buying a home. | * Analysis: This shows a common, practical application of Feng Shui in a major life decision. "看风水" (kàn fēngshuǐ) literally means "to look at the Feng Shui" and is the standard phrase for having a consultation. |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 这个办公室的**风水**很好，对着一个公园，视野很开阔。 | * 我不相信**风水**，我觉得那都是迷信。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhège bàngōngshì de **fēngshuǐ** hěn hǎo, duìzhe yí ge gōngyuán, shìyě hěn kāikuò. | * Pinyin: Wǒ bù xiāngxìn **fēngshuǐ**, wǒ juéde nà dōu shì míxìn. |
| * English: This office's Feng Shui is very good; it faces a park and has a wide, open view. | * English: I don't believe in Feng Shui; I think it's all superstition. |
| * Analysis: This highlights a core principle of good Feng Shui: having an open, pleasant view (known as a "bright hall" or `míng táng`) is believed to attract positive energy and opportunity. | * Analysis: This sentence represents the skeptical viewpoint, directly contrasting Feng Shui with "迷信" (míxìn), superstition. |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 他觉得最近运气不好，都是因为家里的**风水**出了问题。 | * 这间办公室的**风水**很好，难怪他们生意这么成功。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā juéde zuìjìn yùnqì bù hǎo, dōu shì yīnwèi jiā lǐ de **fēngshuǐ** chūle wèntí. | * Pinyin: Zhè jiān bàngōngshì de **fēngshuǐ** hěn hǎo, nánguài tāmen shēngyì zhème chénggōng. |
| * English: He feels his luck has been bad recently, all because there's a problem with his home's Feng Shui. | * English: This office's Feng Shui is very good; no wonder their business is so successful. |
| * Analysis: This sentence links Feng Shui directly to personal fortune (`yùnqì`). It shows the belief that one's environment can directly cause shifts in luck. | * Analysis: This links good Feng Shui directly to a positive outcome (business success). It's a common way people explain success or failure. |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 很多人不相信**风水**，觉得那只是迷信。 | * **风水**大师说，我的床不能对着门。 |
| * Pinyin: Hěn duō rén bù xiāngxìn **fēngshuǐ**, juéde nà zhǐshì míxìn. | * Pinyin: **Fēngshuǐ** dàshī shuō, wǒ de chuáng bùnéng duìzhe mén. |
| * English: Many people don't believe in Feng Shui, thinking it's just superstition. | * English: The Feng Shui master said my bed cannot face the door. |
| * Analysis: This sentence provides the counterpoint, acknowledging that not everyone in modern society is a believer. `迷信 (míxìn)` is the key word for "superstition." | * Analysis: This provides a concrete example of a common piece of Feng Shui advice. "大师" (dàshī) means master. |
| * **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 按照**风水**的说法，床头不应该对着镜子。 | * 你懂**风水**吗？帮我看看这个房间的布局怎么样。 |
| * Pinyin: Ànzhào **fēngshuǐ** de shuōfǎ, chuángtóu bù yīnggāi duìzhe jìngzi. | * Pinyin: Nǐ dǒng **fēngshuǐ** ma? Bāng wǒ kànkan zhège fángjiān de bùjú zěnmeyàng. |
| * English: According to Feng Shui principles, the head of the bed should not face a mirror. | * English: Do you understand Feng Shui? Help me take a look at the layout of this room. |
| * Analysis: This provides a specific, well-known Feng Shui rule. It's believed that a mirror facing the bed can disrupt sleep and drain energy. | * Analysis: A casual, conversational way to ask for an opinion on Feng Shui. "布局" (bùjú) means layout or arrangement. |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 这家餐厅的生意这么好，老板肯定懂**风水**。 | * 虽然是老思想，但很多香港商人还是很看重**风水**的。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de shēngyi zhème hǎo, lǎobǎn kěndìng dǒng **fēngshuǐ**. | * Pinyin: Suīrán shì lǎo sīxiǎng, dàn hěnduō Xiānggǎng shāngrén háishì hěn kànzhòng **fēngshuǐ** de. |
| * English: This restaurant's business is so good, the owner must understand Feng Shui. | * English: Although it's an old way of thinking, many Hong Kong businessmen still place great importance on Feng Shui. |
| * Analysis: A common assumption in Chinese culture. Success, especially in business, is often attributed to good Feng Shui, whether or not it's actually the cause. | * Analysis: Highlights the continued relevance of Feng Shui in modern business culture, particularly in certain regions. "看重" (kànzhòng) means "to regard as important." |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 我只是对中国**风水**文化感兴趣，不是真的什么都信。 | * 他觉得最近运气不好，想改变一下家里的**风水**。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐshì duì Zhōngguó **fēngshuǐ** wénhuà gǎn xìngqù, búshì zhēn de shénme dōu xìn. | * Pinyin: Tā juéde zuìjìn yùnqì bù hǎo, xiǎng gǎibiàn yīxià jiā lǐ de **fēngshuǐ**. |
| * English: I'm just interested in Chinese Feng Shui culture, it's not like I truly believe everything. | * English: He feels his luck has been bad recently and wants to change his home's Feng Shui a bit. |
| * Analysis: This reflects a modern, nuanced perspective—appreciating Feng Shui as a cultural phenomenon without being a devout follower. | * Analysis: This illustrates the belief that Feng Shui can be actively changed to influence one's "运气" (yùnqì), or luck. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 他在办公室里放了一个小鱼缸来改善**风水**。 | * 有些西方人也开始对**风水**学感兴趣了。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā zài bàngōngshì lǐ fàngle yí ge xiǎo yúgāng lái gǎishàn **fēngshuǐ**. | * Pinyin: Yǒuxiē xīfāng rén yě kāishǐ duì **fēngshuǐ** xué gǎn xìngqù le. |
| * English: He placed a small fish tank in his office to improve the Feng Shui. | * English: Some Westerners have also started to become interested in the study of Feng Shui. |
| * Analysis: This illustrates a common "cure" or method for enhancing Feng Shui. Water features (like fish tanks) are associated with wealth and flow. | * Analysis: Note the use of "风水学" (fēngshuǐ xué), which means "Feng Shui-ology" or the academic study of Feng Shui, treating it as a field of knowledge. |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 这栋大楼的设计完全考虑了**风水**因素。 | * 按照**风水**理论，水代表财富。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè dòng dàlóu de shèjì wánquán kǎolǜle **fēngshuǐ** yīnsù. | * Pinyin: Ànzhào **fēngshuǐ** lǐlùn, shuǐ dàibiǎo cáifù. |
| * English: The design of this building fully considered Feng Shui factors. | * English: According to Feng Shui theory, water represents wealth. |
| * Analysis: This is used in the context of large-scale architecture, showing the term's professional application beyond personal home arrangement. | * Analysis: This sentence explains a core tenet of Feng Shui philosophy, linking an element (water) to a life aspect (wealth). |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| * 别把垃圾桶放在门口，**风水**不好！ | * 这个房子的**风水**不好，据说对健康有影响。 |
| * Pinyin: Bié bǎ lājītǒng fàng zài ménkǒu, **fēngshuǐ** bù hǎo! | * Pinyin: Zhège fángzi de **fēngshuǐ** bù hǎo, jùshuō duì jiànkāng yǒu yǐngxiǎng. |
| * English: Don't put the trash can by the door, that's bad Feng Shui! | * English: This house has bad Feng Shui; it's said to have an impact on one's health. |
| * Analysis: An example of Feng Shui in everyday, casual conversation. The entrance is seen as the "mouth of qi," and placing something negative like a trash can there is believed to attract bad energy. | * Analysis: This shows that Feng Shui's influence is believed to extend beyond wealth to other areas like "健康" (jiànkāng), health. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **It's Not Just Tidying Up:** A common Western misconception is that Feng Shui is simply the Chinese version of Marie Kondo's decluttering. While a clean and organized space is a prerequisite for good Feng Shui, the practice itself is a complex system involving compass directions, the `Bagua` (八卦) map, astrology, and the Five Elements. Simply tidying your room is not "doing Feng Shui." | * **Mistake: Treating Feng Shui as "just interior design."** |
| * **It's Not a Religion:** Feng Shui is a metaphysical practice or a philosophy, not a religion. It does not involve the worship of deities. However, it is often practiced alongside traditional Chinese folk religions or Daoism, so the lines can sometimes appear blurred to an outsider. | * This is the most common pitfall for learners. Feng Shui is a spiritual and philosophical system concerned with energy flow (qi). Aesthetics are secondary. A room can be stylish but have terrible Feng Shui. |
| * **"False Friend": Interior Design.** While both disciplines arrange space, their goals differ. | * **Mistake: Confusing Feng Shui with tidiness.** |
| * **Interior Design:** Focuses on aesthetics, human comfort (ergonomics), and functionality. The "client" is the human user's conscious preference. | * While a cluttered space is generally considered bad Feng Shui because it blocks the flow of qi, Feng Shui is not simply the act of tidying up (like the KonMari method). It is about the specific **placement** and **orientation** of objects, not just their absence. You can have a very tidy room with a bed positioned in an unlucky spot. |
| * **Feng Shui:** Focuses on the flow of universal energy (`qi`) to improve the fortune of the inhabitants. The "client" is both the human and the energy of the space itself. A room could be aesthetically gorgeous by Western standards but be a Feng Shui disaster. | * **Mistake: Assuming everyone in China believes in it.** |
| | * Belief in Feng Shui varies greatly by age, education level, and region. While it is a significant cultural force, many modern, educated Chinese people view it as a superstition. It's incorrect to assume it's a universal belief. |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * [[气]] (qì) - The fundamental concept of vital life force or energy that Feng Shui seeks to harmonize. | * [[气]] (qì) - The vital life force or energy. Feng Shui is essentially the management of qi in one's environment. |
| * [[阴阳]] (yīnyáng) - The Daoist principle of dualistic, complementary forces (e.g., light/dark, active/passive) that must be balanced for good Feng Shui. | * [[阴阳]] (yīnyáng) - The Taoist concept of cosmic dualism and balance (e.g., light/dark, male/female). Achieving this balance is a core goal of Feng Shui. |
| * [[五行]] (wǔxíng) - The Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Feng Shui uses their cycles of creation and destruction to analyze and balance a space. | * [[五行]] (wǔxíng) - The Five Elements or Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). This system of interactions is a foundational tool used in Feng Shui analysis. |
| * [[风水师]] (fēngshuǐ shī) - A Feng Shui master, practitioner, or consultant who is hired to analyze and correct the Feng Shui of a space. | * [[八卦]] (bāguà) - The eight trigrams used in Taoist cosmology. The Bagua map is often used to divide a space into different life areas (wealth, health, love, etc.) for Feng Shui purposes. |
| * [[八卦]] (bāguà) - The "Eight Trigrams," a foundational tool in Feng Shui used to map a space and associate different areas with aspects of life like wealth, health, and relationships. | * [[迷信]] (míxìn) - Superstition. This is the term often used by skeptics to describe Feng Shui. |
| * [[运]] (yùn) - Luck, destiny, or fortune. The primary goal of applying Feng Shui is to improve one's `yùn`. | * [[命运]] (mìngyùn) - Fate or Destiny. Feng Shui is often seen as a way to actively improve one's destiny. |
| * [[迷信]] (míxìn) - Superstition. This is the term often used by skeptics to describe Feng Shui. | * [[大师]] (dàshī) - Grandmaster. This title is used for respected experts in a field, including a **风水大师 (fēngshuǐ dàshī)**. |
| * [[和谐]] (héxié) - Harmony. The ultimate aim of good Feng Shui is to create `héxié` between people, their environment, and the universe. | * [[天人合一]] (tiān rén hé yī) - "Heaven and humanity are one." A core philosophical goal in Chinese thought of living in harmony with the natural universe, which Feng Shui aims to facilitate. |
| | * [[运气]] (yùnqì) - Luck; fortune. People often turn to Feng Shui to improve their运气. |