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Feng Shui and Buying House ......

By: Engr. Sia Mal Kong, Grad. IEM. Lu Lian Chiong

Abstract This article attempts to quantify, using scientific tools, the extent of influence of feng shui principles on prospective purchaser’s decision in buying house. Architectural and environmental principles are compared with feng shui principles. The factors to consider when buying a house are explained, and the uses of feng shui are outlined. Favourable (auspicious) and unfavourable (inauspicious) features of feng shui for houses are identified through literature review. Microsoft EXCEL is used to analyse the data collected and obtain other statistics.

Keywords: Feng shui, auspicious and inauspicious features, buying house

1. INTRODUCTION why education is very important to natural laws. Because nature is perfectly China was the cradle for one of the the Chinese. balanced, a house or other structure can world’s earliest and oldest civilisation [4] The belief in and the practice of feng cause imbalance unless carefully placed. (People’s Daily), which dated back some s h u i among the Chinese permeates Living out of balance with nature few thousand years ago. Chinese make t h rough almost every aspect of their eventually affects mankind [3] (Shen, up about one fifth of the world’s activities. It is very much a part and 2001, pg. 17).” Newtonian mechanics population, which now stands at 6.45 p a rcel of their life. This could be predicts that a building that is statically billion [8] (The World Factbook). It is explained as feng shui, besides Chinese not in equilibrium would be unstable, believed that feng shui started in China medicine, Taoism, Buddhism, and and eventually collapse. some five to six thousand years ago [6,3] Confucianism, is one of the principal According to Shen [3] (2001, pg.11), (Webster, 2005, pg. 1; Shen, 2001, pg. 10). pillars of Chinese culture. Shen [3] (2001, modern Chinese believe that the As such, the belief in and practice of feng pg. 15) put it succinctly, that “feng shui following elements influence good shui is deeply rooted among the Chinese, was not an esoteric discipline practised fortune, namely, fate, opportunity, feng and since it is not a recent phenomenon only by certain tribal members in ancient s h u i, doing good things for next life, or creation, the ever popularity of China, it was an integral part of native studying, timing, location, and people. everything related to feng shui is not a c u l t u re, something that touched The widespread application of feng shui is fad, and it will never come to pass. everyone’s life.” evident from: The belief in chance, feng shui, luck, Feng shui, influenced Chinese a) various advertisements put up in fate and destiny among the Chinese is architecture too [3] (Shen, 2001, pg. 14). newspapers such as Cheng’s Feng Shui pervasive. One ancient Chinese saying Lip [2] (1986, pg. 6) mentioned that “it services (StarMetro, The Star, 27th on good fortune sounds like this: “ Yi has exerted its influence on numerous October 2005) which include: ming, er yun, san feng shui, si de, wu du people and puzzled countless architects, - house, condominium, factory, office, s h u ”, which literally means “the most interior designers and developers.” Lip shop, mall and vacant land. important factors influencing a person’s [2] (1986, pg. 25) advised that it is best to - feng shui of ancestor’s tomb, and life are fate first, luck second, feng shui consider architectural and environmental - feng shui courses. t h i rd, virtue or philanthropy fourth, principles together with feng shui and studying fifth” [2,3,6] (Lip, 1986, principles. This is because good b) numerous courses and seminars on pg. 25; Shen, 2001, pg. 11; We b s t e r, 2005, architecture is synonymous with good feng shui organised by various pg. 3). If one was born to a poor family feng shui, and vice versa. The School of institutions, including reputable (which Chinese considers to be fated Design of one renowned local college institutions of higher learning for and due to luck), he could only count on recently held a special seminar entitled enhancing life and career, as well as the virtue and good deeds accumulated “Applying Feng Shui in Design for Art of doing business. by his forefathers, and look up to Living” by Grand Master Yap Cheng Hai education to improve and succeed in (The Star, 22nd November 2005). Fr om her experience as an architect, Lip life. He could use feng shui to guide him Feng shui is strongly associated with [2] (1986, pg. 5) argued that the practice of to live in harmony with the world and Taoist tenet on nature as the ultimate feng shui, though ancient, can still be used everyone, to improve every aspect of power. Taoists believe that “humans, as to guide us in building and furniture his life, including luck. This explains part of nature, will benefit by following placement. She encouraged her readers to

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place the interior elements in their homes locality (or neighbourhood), availability 2.3.1 Location according to geomantic principles for of facilities/amenities, accessibility, Good architectural or structural design enhancement, even though structurally it is connectivity (or transportation) for advises one to construct a building on impossible to re-orientate their homes. mobility to work, and affo r dability or strong foundation, such as on originally Shen, an architect too, believed that “one price. Internally, there are many details to virgin ground. It is rather risky to buy a can successfully practice feng shui without deliberate too: façade, design, shape, style house constructed on: a practitioner. All that is needed is common and décor, and size. It is rather difficult to a) Backfilled grounds, reclaimed lands, sense. It was created through common mention which one is the deciding factor and ex-mining lands which are sense and still works as common sense [3] and most important. susceptible to foundation failures and (Shen, 2001, pg. 9)”. Since one might be shifting again settlement problems. Use of deep The aims of this article are twofold, to la t e r , and buying a house is a lifetime foundation as a remedy would incur investigate whether: investment for the majority of people [1] higher construction cost. a) prospective buyer uses feng shui to (Diana Chin and Loo Pik Kwan, 2005), it Too [5] (1994, pg. 40) said that the earth help him/her when looking for a is important to always remember that one chi in such places is often unstable, choise house, and buys a house with selling in mind. There and hence these places are inauspicious. b) feng shui influences one’s decision in is a high probability that, the features of a buying or not buying a house. house that make the owner comfortable b) Foothills, sloping places, or places and fit will also attract prospective buyers close to steep slope and precipice 2. LITERATURE REVIEW later on. Theref o r e, when one is buying a which are prone to erosion and land 2.1 Definitions on Feng Shui house, special consideration should be slips/slides. Feng shui, in Mandarin, literally means paid to the following: Too [5] (1994, pg. 97) considered these “wind and water”. Feng shui is also known a) G rowth potential: look for an places as inauspicious because as Chinese geomancy [2] (Lip, 1986, pg. 1). established neighbourhood where its beneficial chi flows downhill and Shen [3] (2001, pg.10) mentioned that value will be enhanced by future disappears, hence could not be tapped. Chinese considered feng shui to be growth. in t e r r elated to the following disciplines: b) Resale value/Price appreciation: seek c) Low lying areas, which are liable to as t r ol o g y , ecology, geology, psychology, a prime neighbourhood where houses flooding problems if drainage is poor as t r on o m y , geography, and meteorol o g y . sell well at any time, and appreciate in or there is no proper/good drainage Shen [3] (2001, pg. 18) defined feng value in a short time. design. shui as the “art and science of life-space c) Location: consider availability of Fr om feng shui viewpoint, Shen [3] (2001, design”. Feng shui, as one of the healing facilities or amenities for convenience, pp. 80 – 81) considered these places as arts in Taoism, is the science of recreation and entertainment, and all inauspicious because feng shui i s maximising natural positive energy by aspects of transportation for mobility concerned with safety. strategic placement to allow people to to work. exist harmoniously with the earth [3] 2.3.2 Exterior of Building (Shen, 2001, pg. 17). Lip [2] (1986, pg.1) With these three considerations in Table 2 is a brief comparison or mentioned that feng shui is the art of mind, the influence of feng shui on ar chitectural and environmental principles placement of things, ranging from the buyer’s decision in selecting a house is with feng shui principles on the exterior of orientation of buildings to the furnishing understandable. SWOT could be used to a building. of interiors, to influence the chi, qi or help one in identifying the deciding cosmic breadth of a site. According to factors, as given in Table 1. 2.3.3 Interior of Buildings Webster [6] (2005, pg. 1), it means living Table 3 is a brief comparison of in harmony with the environment. 2.3 Comparing Architectural and ar chitectural and environmental principles Environmental Principles WITH with feng shui principles on the interior of 2.2 Factors to Consider when FENG SHUI PRINCIPLES a building, with the building fabric acting Buying a House If one has to work for eight hours Table 1: SWOT Analysis to Determine Deciding Factors e v e r y d a y, it is simple mathematics to Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats calculate that about two-third of one’s Availability of Expensive Job opportunities Natural hazards time is spent at home. Buying a house is a amenities/facilities (water and air pollution) major decision, which financially involves Accessibility Traffic jam Good appreciation Social ills a huge sum of money, and ties one down in price for some 15 – 20 years if one was to buy a Resale potential Bad feng shui High resale value Hard to resell. High house by hire purchase. Whether one is holding cost buying a new house or second home, Growth potential High population High rental/ Natural calamities t h e re are many factors/aspects to density Quick to rent out (earthquakes, typhoons, co n s i d e r , among them are location and floods)

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Table 2: Exterior of a Building suited for one’s needs and also contains Exterior of a Building plenty of beneficial chi. The importance of Environmental Principles - If a building is designed without proper protection, rain will feng shui is clearly explained by Shen (Lip, 1986, pg. 18) penetrate the interior and dampness will spoil the internal (2 0 0 1 ) : finishes. - If the roof is not designed at the appropriate angle, rain water “The purpose behind feng shui is to will seep in. balance the energy or chi. Design of our surroundings affects the flow of Environmental Principles - It is important to orientate a home to take advantage of pleasant weather while simultaneously protecting humans chi, and has a tremendous impact on from more severe elements. our subconscious over time. For good (Shen, 2001, pg. 155) - Environmentally comfortable conditions to humans are: health, seren i t y , peace of mind and a) Temperature: 17 – 27 0C, even wealth, conception, and luck, this b) Humidity: 30 % – 70 %, e n e rgy must circulate unimpeded c) Wind speed: 0.1 – 5 miles per hour, th r oughout a person’s environ m e n t . ” d) Sunlight: appropriate amount to keep a home healthy and fresh, e) Rain: appropriate amount to maintain plant growth and In his fore w o rd, Stephen Skinner water supplies for human use. (Shen, 2001) equated luck to opportunity, Feng Shui Principles - Severe weather conditions can disrupt the constant, steady and wrote that “feng shui stirs up the (Shen, 2001, pg. 154) flow of chi within the body. subtle environment in such a way that - Severe weather conditions affect the earth’s magnetic and more opportunities are attracted to the energy fields, which, in turn disrupts the constant, steady flow person who has improved his or her feng of health-supportive chi within the body. shui”. Webster (2005) mentioned that “in Table 3: Interior of a Building feng shui, one always looks for places Interior of a Building where chi accumulates or forms as this is the perfect place to live happy, Environmental Principles - The building should be well protected from weather, and (Lip, 1986, pg. 60) radiation from the sun should be minimised. prosperous, successful lives.” - Good ventilation is also important. On the contrary, inauspicious feng shui features such as severe angles, Environmental Principles - Using space, light, and colour to create an atmosphere (Lip, 1986, pg. 60) appropriate for dining, sleeping and working. aw k w a r dly placed doors and windows, - A house should have good functional plan with good and other factors are to be avoided circulation and an interesting spatial concept. It should be because they can disrupt the constant, aesthetically pleasing, with a good sense of proportion and an steady flow of this important energy or appropriate colour scheme. chi (Shen, 2001). Feng Shui Principles - Placement of furniture and the location of chi can enhance the Shen (2001) suggested the following (Lip, 1986, pg. 60) potential of the occupants. - Good feng shui is synonymous with good ventilation, uses for feng shui: appropriate lighting, good proportion, and a sense of balance. a) To help in determining a comfortable Chi should flow through the body the way fresh air flows location that benefits one’s health, through the house. ca r ee r , wealth, luck and family. Table 4: Feng Shui viewpoint on location of houses Table 4 gives a list of inauspicious locations to be avoided when looking Re f e r en c e s for a house to buy. Note that diffe r en t Feng shui Li p Shen Web s t e r L. T oo authors give the same feng shui Lo c a t i o n vi e w p o i n t (1 9 8 6 ) (2 0 0 1 ) (2 0 0 5 ) (1 9 9 4 ) in t e r p r etation for the same feature. a. At a T-j u n c t i o n . Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 1 4 Pg . 9 0 Pg . 2 8 - 2 9 Pg.27, Pg.42 b. At an interch a n g e . Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 3 0 c. At a dead-end or cul-de-sac. Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg. 14 Pg . 9 0 Pg . 3 1 Pg . 2 7 b) To determine a building’s rel a t i o n s h i p d. Near to transmission lines. Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 1 5 9 Pg . 3 4 Pg . 2 7 - 2 8 with the environment thro u g h e. Besides an area for heavy industry Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 1 6 1 geomantic theory of the outside f. On top of a hill or elevated grou n d Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 9 7 en v i r onment, to help one to locate and g. Facing the gap between two tall buildings Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 3 3 Pg . 5 1 adjust the orientation, shape, entrance, h. With power substation nearby Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 4 0 road, and exterior factors of a house to i. With large water tank nearby Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 4 0 make it more auspicious. j. With sewage treatment plant nearby Un f a v o u r a b l e No ref e r en c e as an environmental envelope to create a in the market for a new house to think Lip (1986) argued that the layout of built environment that is comfortable to about its orientation. Webster (2005, pg. the buildings should be in harmony live and work in. 37) commented that buying a home is the with the surrounding environment and most expensive purchase one will ever in balance with the neighbouring blocks. 2.4 Feng Shui in Buying House make. As such, it is vitally important that She opined that buildings in the tro p i c s Shen (2001, pg. 84) advised those who are one chooses a home that will be well should be oriented in such a way that

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Table 5: Feng Shui viewpoint on exterior features of buildings Based on the three uses of feng shui as Re f e r en c e s suggested by Shen (2001, pg. 10), a Orientation with Environ m e n t / Feng shui Li p Shen Web s t e r Wong Seng survey questionnaire with the following Exterior of Buildings vi e w p o i n t (1 9 8 6 ) (2 0 0 1 ) (2 0 0 5 ) Tian (1995) framework is designed. In Section 1, the a. Di r ectly facing a transmission tower Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 1 5 9 name, age and occupation of each b. Di r ectly facing a lamp post Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg.57, Pg.60 respondent are requested to ensure that c. Di r ectly facing an electric pole Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg57, Pg.60 the data elicited came from prospective d. Di r ectly facing the chimney of a factory Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 3 2 Pg.42, Pg.57 e. Di r ectly facing a tall building Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 3 2 adults with potential to buy a house in f. With a river at the back Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg.40, Pg.46 the near future for personal residence or g. Facing a cemetery Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 3 2 Pg.40, Pg.45 investment. h. Facing a funeral parlour Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg.40, Pg.45 Section 2, with five parts, uses a i. Facing a hospital Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 3 2 Pg.40, Pg.44 dichotomous nominal scale of yes or no. j. Facing a transmission tower Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 2 8 The respondents are requested to answer k. Facing a T-j u n c t i o n Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 2 8 Pg.40, Pg.57 questions on locations and surrounding l. With main door facing gate Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 5 7 f e a t u res, geometrical shape of house, m. Di r ectly facing a tree Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 1 0 4 Pg.42, Pg.57 façade and direction, interior features of Table 6: Feng Shui viewpoint on interior features of buildings the house, and other related factors. The scoring is deemed sufficient as Re f e r en c e s favourable (suitable) or unfavourable Feng shui Li p Shen Web s t e r Wong Seng (unsuitable) is a fairly determinate Interior of Buildings vi e w p o i n t (1 9 8 6 ) (2 0 0 1 ) (2 0 0 5 ) Tian (1995) question. Question 26 in Part E of Section a. With a spiral stairca s e Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 1 0 6 Pg . 4 2 2 is an open-ended question. b. Has an inauspicious house number Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 7 1 The questionnaires were administered such as 4, 14, 34, 44,54, etc. to prospective buyers who came to the c. With staircase facing main door of the Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 4 8 Pg57, Pg.60 show office of a housing developer in ho u s e Se r emban who recently launched a new d. With toilet directly above the main door Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 5 6 Pg . 6 9 phase. One of the authors waited for the of the house respondents during office hours (from 9 e. With main door and back door of the Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 4 3 Pg . 5 2 Pg . 4 0 Pg.57, Pg.64 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for a continuous period of house in a straight line th r ee days. f. It is an L-shaped house Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 9 8 Pg . 3 8 4. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS g. It is an U-shaped house Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 9 8 Pg . 3 8 A total of 50 completed questionnaires h. Split levels, with living room and dining Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 6 9 were collected. The average age is 36 room at diffe r ent levels years old, a potential age for most people i. Ba t h r oom door facing bedroom door Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 6 9 to buy a house for personal residence or j. Kitchen door facing bedroom door Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 6 2 lifetime investment. The results are presented in Tables 7 to 9. k. Main door on the left-hand side of the fr ont of the house Un f a v o u r a b l e Pg . 1 19 All the respondents considere d g r a v e y a rd and funeral parlour as they benefit from cross breezes, so that The interior design of a house has grea t unfavourable surrounding features for the interiors are cool and comfortable. influence on one’s health and luck. Factors houses. Vincent Ng, Chief Executive She advised that, in Singapore, it is best which can help or hinder the flow of chi Of ficer of Kim Realty, could only admit to orient a building north/south include furniture placement, decorating defeat in salvaging such unwise choices because of the path of the sun. This materials and colour schemes. when the problem lies with an principle is applicable to buildings in Table 6 gives a list of unfavourable unbearable hindrance which is an eyesore Malaysia too as both countries are interior features of buildings to be avoided (Diana Chin & Loo Pik Kwan, 2005). located near the equator. when looking for a house. Again, diffe r en t Another totally unfavourable feature is Table 5 gives a list of unfavourable authors give the same feng shui houses located near to the LRT lines. exterior features to be avoided when in t e r p r etation for the same feature. For all the features considered as looking for a house. Note that, again, inauspicious for houses by the feng shui different authors give the same feng shui 3. METHODOLOGY practitioners, majority of re s p o n d e n t s interpretation for the same feature. Q u e s t i o n n a i re survey is employed to c o n s i d e red them as unfavourable too. collect the data for this research, which is This is clearly reflected in the c) To determine a building’s relationship needed to quantify the extent of influence p e rcentages (about 70% and above) with humans. of feng shui principles on prospective collected for features mentioned in purchaser’s decision in buying house. Questions 1 – 25.

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Table 7: Results of questionnaire survey

Question Number Question Percentages Yes No

Part A: Location and surrounding features 1. A house located ext to an industrial area. 98% 2% Questions 1 – 5: 2. Located alone on top of a hill. 74% 26% Imagine you are a prospective purchaser who wishes to own 3. Located beside LRT rails. 100% 0% a house, which of the following locations you consider are 4. Located at dead-end street or cul-de-sac. 98% 2% unfavourable in feng shui and unsuitable for residential houses 5. Located at cross-roads. 96% 4%

Part A: Location and surrounding features 6. Electrical sub-station 86% 14% Questions 6 – 10: 7. High voltage tower 92% 8% Which of the following surrounding features mentioned are 8. Graveyard 100% 0% considered bad feng shui for a house? 9. Funeral parlour 100% 0% 10. A house will enjoy excellent feng shui if larger 96% 4% buildings are located at the back and empty field is located is located in front.

Part B: Geometrical Shape of the house 11. Rectangular shaped 92% 8% Questions 1 – 5: 12. Cutting blade shaped 14% 86% Of the follow-ing geometrical shape, which one is considered 13. Too angular shaped 24% 76% favourable and relatively suitable for the design of residential houses?

Table 8: Results of questionnaire survey (continue)

Question Number Question Percentages Yes No

Part C: Facade and direction 14. Facade of a house with elegant design is 90% 10% considered good feng shui because it would attract good chi flowing into the house 15. Direction in which the main door is facing is 92% 8% one of the factors purchasers would consider because it would effect the feng shui of the house.

Part D: Interior of the house 16. A series of doors placed in a straight line 78% 22% Feng shui of a house would be affected if the features mentioned 17. Too many corners in the living room 84% 16% below are found inside the house. As a purchaser, would these 18. Bedroom door facing the main door 90% 10% features affect your decision making? 19. Bedroom is facing a long and dark hallway 88% 12% 20. Ceiling of dining room designed with openings 66% 34% or windows 21. Dining room facing the toilet door 80% 20% 22. Toilet on 2nd floor located on top of main door 74% 26% 23. Staircase with voids between two steps. 64% 36%

Part E: Other related factors 24. Colour scheme used for the house 80% 20% Other than the features mentioned above, would you consider 25. House or lot number of the house 90% 10% also the: 26. Other features (please state) This is an open- ended question. The responses are summarised in Table 9.

5. CONCLUSION development, clearly showed that knowledge of feng shui to guide them in The results of the questionnaire survey, pr ospective buyers use feng shui to help deciding the best house to buy. This is which were distributed to pros p e c t i v e one in looking for a choice house. The perfectly practicable as good feng shui is buyers who visited the show office during or dinary Chinese folks, though devoid of synonymous with good arch i t e c t u r e, as the launching of a new housing ar chitectural knowledge, have apprec i a b l e exerted by Lip (1986, pg. 25). ■

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Table 9: Results of questionnaire survey (continue)

Question Number Total No. of Responses 26. Main door is facing poison arrow. 2 Road level is higher than the floor level of house. 5 Drive way at 45-degree slope. 1 Main door is facing lamp post (a poison arrow). 5 House is facing spiritual structures (Church, temple, etc). 5 House is facing oxidation pond/sewage treatment plant. 6 House is located near to river bank. 1 Fence wall is higher than the house. 2 Stove location. 2 Swimming pool with too many corners. 1 Exposed ceiling beams. 2 House is located at T-junction. 5 House is located at Y-junction. 3 House is facing factory chimney (a poison arrow). 1 House at sloping site. 2 Design. 1 House is facing hospital/healthcare centre. 2 House is surrounded by tall buildings. 2 Spiral staircase in the house. 1 Brightness of the house. 2 House with two main doors. 2 Isolated column inside the house. 1 Appropriately big car porch is considered good feng shui 4 “Spirit” of the house (First impression). 1 House with too many openings (windows and doors). 1 House is too big for few occupants. 1 House with too elegant design. 1

REFERENCES [1] Diana Chin and Loo Pik Kwan (2005). "Salvaging [6] R. Webster (2005). "Feng Shui for Beginners – Successful Unwise Choices", The Sun, 11 November 2005. Living by Design", Golden Books, Malaysia. [2] E. Lip (1986). "Feng Shui for the Home", Times Books [7] WongSengTian (1995). "Authentic Feng Shui – Practical International, Singapore. Geomantic Analyses for Modern Living", SYNERGY Books International, Malaysia. [3] Z. S. Shen (2001). "Feng Shui – Harmonizing Your Inner and Outer Space", Dorling Kindersley, London. [8] The World Factbook, at www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/ [4] People’s Daily (2005). "Decoding the origins of Chinese 2119rank.html. Accessed date: 8 November 2005. Civilisation", The Star, 29 November, 2005. [5] Lilian Too (1994). "Practical Applications of Feng Shui", Konsep Books, Malaysia.

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