The Origins of Feng Shui

During the Zhou Dynasty (from 11th century BC to 256 BC), the fortune of a dwelling was determined by "Zhai Bu" divination. "Zhai Bu used to determine the auspiciousness of a grave site, if there is an underground spring below burial site detected by Zhai Bu, then the said site is not a suitable site. This practice has became the embryonic form of Feng Shui.

I Ching has became very popular during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC), Chinese cosmology and philosophy like Confucianism, Daoism, the theories of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements (Wu Xing) and the Ba Gua etc. There appared written records of Feng Shui consultations during the time of Han dynasty (206-220 AD), the study of Feng Shui during this time was initially linked with the study of I Ching. Feng Shui and I Ching has reached its popularity and peak during the Han dynasty.

The word "Feng Shui" has first seen during the Jin dynasty. Guo Pu, who lived from 276-324 AD, wrote a book "Zhang Shu" or the book of Burial, according to the book, "the dead should take advantage of the Sheng Qi, the wind will disperse the qi and the water will contain it. The ancients said that one should try to gather the qi so that it will not disperse. The aim is to keep it flowing but contained. Hence it is called "Feng Shui".