When it comes to feng shui, many people seem to have a knee-jerk reaction akin to what they might have regarding politics or religion. Some consider it stupid and full of bull, a New Age scam that preys on the superstitious. Others see it as an easy fix for various sorts of problems, or even as an art or science. Few however would deny that feng shui in relation to real estate is a lucrative business.
Feng shui is said to have played a key role in the growth, success, and wealth of property developers like Donald Trump; of government officials and celebrities; businessmen; homeowners; feng shui consultants themselves; and major corporations, so much so that most people associate the use of feng shui to increase one’s luck and wealth, and to ward off bad luck. While the most familiar forms of feng shui have served as material for movies, the simplicity with which feng shui is represented can be misleading. What exactly is feng shui? And why does it matter in real estate?
Feng Shui 101
The term literally translates as “wind” (feng) and “water” (shui). Many references state that it is a Chinese system of geomancy that dates back to 6,000 B.C., where it was first used to orient tombs and gravesites. Other sources say that in the old days, feng shui was protected knowledge and only the Emperor was allowed to use it.
However, some historians claim that feng shui has its origins in India. According to their claim, Indian mystics practiced the principles of vastu shastra, literally “building science.” These mystics traveled from Tibet to China and taught the principles of vastu shastra which the Chinese adapted to their use, and from which the principles and different schools of feng shui evolved. This claim may account for certain similarities between feng shui and vastu shastra.
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How each feng shui consultant practices his or her own kind of feng shui largely depends on his or her training in any of the three major feng shui schools: the traditional or classical feng shui schools (Form/Landscape feng shui, Compass feng shui), the Black Hat Sect Tantric Buddhist (BTB) feng shui, and the Intuitive/Modern feng shui.
While the forms of its practice vary, the core principles of feng shui remain the same. Feng shui works on the key principle that nature is permeated by the flow of vital life force or energy known as qi or ch’i. Qi can be read in its tangible (location, landscape, water formation, form, and configuration) and intangible forms (direction, time and space, birth data).
The goal of classical feng shui is to align with the qi, harness its flow, and bring balance and harmony among different elements. Good feng shui reflects a good use of space. BTB feng shui founder Thomas Lin Yun expressed this simply: feng shui is the study of the knowledge of building, creating, or selecting one’s living and working environments which provide the most suitable conditions for one’s survival, comfort, and happiness.
Feng Shui and Real Estate
Feng shui penetrates every aspect of property development. It is used in site selection, landscape planning, architecture, and interior design. In real estate marketing, feng shui is used as a selling point for both residential and commercial developments.
For developers who are serious in incorporating feng shui in their projects, consultation with a feng shui expert or master happens right from the beginning – during site selection. Location and topography of the surrounding area, quality of the soil, land and water formation (the presence of mountains or rivers), even climate – in short, all the features of the site and surrounding area – are considered and “read” if they have a positive or negative qi. At this early stage, the feng shui consultant informs the developer if the land is ideal or suitable for the type of project the developer is planning it for.
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In landscape planning, good feng shui ensures that the flow of qi leads to the property, not away from it. Road configuration, the shape of the lot and pathways, and the orientation of the building influence the quality of qi that enters a property. For instance, there is positive qi when roads go straight by the property and bring energy from both directions, while the flow of qi is “stagnant” for properties on a dead-end street. A curved or flowing pathway is better than a straight one to avoid the full-force rush of qi to the door.
Site selection and landscape planning are crucial factors that determine if a property is going to have a positive energy. In feng shui, these exterior forms serve as the source from which the property draws nature’s qi. The truism in real estate about “location, location, location” holds true with feng shui’s emphasis on site selection and land planning.
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Architectural and design elements such as materials, lighting, sound, colors, shapes, art and decorative objects, and water features also have a bearing on a property’s qi. However, feng shui is not about using a particular architectural style or about adding Asian decór and good luck charms. Most design elements are a matter of personal preference. What is important is that the internal forms of a property are designed to allow, collect, and benefit from the qi of the immediate environment.
These internal forms refer to the key features of the property. For houses, the main door, kitchen, bedroom, and work or study area are the most important. For offices, the main entrance and the placement of management and staff offices are the key features. The main entrance, flow of traffic, key shops, information desks, and management offices are crucial for shopping malls and other commercial buildings.
Feng Shui in Philippine Real Estate
In the Philippines, feng shui is used in up to 90% of Philippine businesses. According to National Real Estate Association Chairman Alejandro Mañalac, Philippine property developers take feng shui seriously since buyers in the high-end market are predominantly Chinese.
However, belief in feng shui is not limited to the Chinese. Many Filipinos subscribe to it. This can be seen from the clientele, amount of speaking engagements, and background of feng shui consultants such as Aldric Dalumpines, Maritess Allen, Andy Tan, Charlie Chao, Joseph Chau, and other local feng shui practitioners. Their clients range from celebrities and government officials to professionals and corporations. The influence of feng shui consultants doesn’t just stop in property development. They are also consulted for economic outlook and investment advice, and are invited to business forums.
Not a few developers hire feng shui consultants or incorporate feng shui principles in their developments. The following are just a few of such properties:
- One Roxas Triangle
- Celadon Park
- Green Residences
- Acqua Residences
- The Residences at Commonwealth
- Ylang Lane
- Y2 Residence Hotel
- Solaire Resort and Casino
Professional consultation and DIY Feng Shui
With the proliferation of books on feng shui fundamentals and practical tips, enthusiasts will soon find themselves having to choose between consulting with a professional feng shui expert or taking the DIY route.
There are advantages and downsides to both. A feng shui audit or consultation with an expert can be expensive as their rates may depend on the size of the project or property. But one can rest assured that the audit and recommendations given are done by someone who actually knows how feng shui is supposed to work.
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Armed with books, an enthusiast could have a basic understanding of feng shui and can do simple improvements without having to pay a high fee. There is the danger, however, of misinterpreting and oversimplifying feng shui theories, and consequently getting wrong results. Thus, while DIY feng shui can be applied to simple projects, it is not a substitute for consulting with a professional feng shui expert.
Cover image courtesy of interiordesignforhouses.com.
Author Bio:
Theresa Padillo is currently the Lead Content Writer for HousingInteractive Inc. You can reach her at theresa@housinginteractive.com. You can also add her in Google+: +Theresa Padillo.