Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi.The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu .The words feng shui literally translate as "wind-water" in English. This is a cultural shorthand taken from the following passage of the Zhangshu (Book of Burial) by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty.Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.
Traditional Feng Shui practice always requires an extremely accurate Chinese compass, or Luo Pan, in order to determine the directions in finding any auspicious sector in a desired location.[citation needed] Traditional Feng Shui also requires the calculation of a locations' life force energy or "Qi Level", as well as the numerical significance of a person including their birth-date, birth-hour, animal sign, and personal Gua number. In addition to this, the individual's destiny is calculated using Ba Zi or Chinese Star Astrology, where good luck stars and bad luck stars are based, and a Feng Shui audit is concluded.
Many western enthusiasts have incorrectly interpreted Feng Shui as a form of geomancy that is only based on furniture arranging and wide display of Buddhist amulets---a practice that is heavily discouraged and resented by professional Asian Feng Shui masters.