Types of Feng Shui compasses
Feng Shui masters use professional instruments, but measurements can be taken with a military or tourist precision instrument. High-quality measurements can be obtained using models with a liquid dial.
In addition to measuring zones according to the cardinal points, a compass is also needed to determine energies that are constantly moving - Flying stars. To use this technique, you need to know the exact location of the house facade.
Measurements made by an electronic compass on a smartphone or tablet when using satellite navigation may not have the necessary accuracy - such a device does not take into account the numerous magnetic fields around the house.
A more accurate digital compass based on magnetic resistors and Hall elements is a self-contained instrument with a micromechanical system that is sensitive to changes in magnetic fields. It is suitable for measurements by novice amateurs.
With magnetic needle
The magnetic compass type has a 360-degree rotating disk that is manually adjusted. The arrow is divided into a red part (north) and a white part (south). The main directions of a Chinese-made compass may have opposite colors: red for the south, white for the north.
The outer red dot indicates the direction being measured. The rotating disk with the inner arrow is turned until the red part of the arrow aligns with magnetic north.
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The necessary data on the degrees of measurement is shown by the external arrow. For beginners in studying the art of Feng Shui, a liquid model with a rotating dial that combines the compass directions with a magnetic needle is suitable.
Magnetic disk
In this type of compass, the needle is replaced by a magnetic disk with a degree scale. There is no need to ensure alignment of the outer disk and the arrow. The compass is set in the direction being measured, and after the disk stops, the exact degrees are determined.
The rotating magnetic disk is more advanced than pointer models, it allows you to determine the angle of inclination and can be used in non-static places: ships, airplanes and cars.
Measurements with this device are characterized by good accuracy for Feng Shui techniques. By superimposing measurement data on the plan of your apartment, you can apply harmonization techniques to make the necessary changes to the interior.
Lo Pan - standard popular compass
The professional compass is called Lo Pan. It consists of a magnetic needle and an outer circle containing a wealth of special information for practitioners. Two red threads divide the outer circles into four sectors: you can accurately determine the degrees of location of the rear, facade and side planes of the home.
The Lo Pan disk has many concentric information rings, which indicate:
- eight trigrams;
- eight directions;
- 24 mountains;
- heavenly pillars;
- 28 constellations;
- earthly branches and much more.
Lo Pan has three varieties, differing in information on the external field. These types are created for different Feng Shui techniques:
- San He - has three rings in 24 directions;
- San Yuan - has 64 trigrams;
- Zong He is a combination of San He and San Yuan.
Design and activation of zones
Let's consider how to decorate rooms in the house to attract material and intangible benefits.
Health and Family Zone
According to Feng Shui, the family area, like any other, should be decorated in a certain color scheme. You should stop at blue and green colors. You can add a little black and brown. Red color may also be present, but it should not be much.
This sector helps improve relationships not only with relatives, but also with loved ones. Here you can place joint photos. At the same time, in the family and health sector there is no place for photographs of deceased people.
This sector must be activated using living bouquets or flowerpots. Artificial flowers cannot be placed. There is also a taboo on stuffed animals and collections of dead insects, which have no place in the health sector. It is best to locate the family sector in the hall where the whole family gathers in the evenings.
Wealth sector
You can complement the interior with various attributes
This feng shui zone is located in the southeast. Experts recommend decorating it in purple, emerald and lilac tones. This sector can be activated using water. There is an aquarium here, where 9 fish should swim, and if space allows, then small fountains.
You can also activate the sector using flowerpots. Fresh flowers can be replaced with artificial ones. It is advised to choose flowerpots whose leaf plates resemble the image of money. The ideal option is a money tree. This flowerpot is unpretentious and will decorate any interior. You can put up a figurine of a money tree made of coins, which is easy to make yourself.
Toads with three fingers, which can be purchased at any souvenir shop, will also bring good luck. You can also decorate the room with Chinese iron money of any denomination. It is advisable to tie the coins with a red satin ribbon. Curtains or other decorative elements are decorated with products with crystals. A box of paper money wouldn't be out of place here.
There should be a minimum of metal objects, in addition to coins, in the interior. There is no place here for sick plants, which will only repel material wealth.
If this sector is located in the dining room, you can hang a square mirror opposite the table.
Wisdom Sector
This territory is subject to the elements of the Earth. This is where the schoolchildren's workplace is located. It is also suitable for yoga and meditation. Children should learn in a calm environment, so this sector is decorated in yellow colors of any shade, including terracotta and orange. There is a library in the northeast.
The sector of wisdom and knowledge is activated with the help of lit candles and pyramids made of stone. You can also activate the sector using a figurine of a phoenix, Buddha or snake, a globe, or a crystal ball. You should not place flowers, aquariums with fish, turtles or any other marine life here: they will distract children from their studies.
If there is a window in this sector, it is decorated with bells. If the kitchen is located in this sector, there is no need to spare money on a crystal chandelier.
Sector of creativity and children
According to Feng Shui, this zone is controlled by the element of Earth. With proper arrangement of the sector, it is easier to make all your desires come true. According to the teachings of Feng Shui, rooms located in the western part of the building should be decorated in silver, white and gold colors. When decorating the interior, stone, metal and ceramics are used.
For couples who are unable to conceive children, fertility symbols can be used. It is also recommended to place lotuses in the room.
When decorating a room located in the western part of the building, oval or square-shaped objects are used. The number 7 will enhance energy, so you can put, for example, 7 elephant figurines. You can also place bells or figurines depicting eggs made of crystal in the room.
This sector is activated with the help of lit scented candles. The ideal option is candles with the scent of geranium, cedar, jasmine or citrus.
Sector of love and marriage
The sector of love and marriage is influenced by 2 elements at once: Fire and Earth. Accordingly, brown and red colors are welcome in the interior. This sector is also decorated with photographs of their significant other. You can store gifts given by close friends in it.
According to Feng Shui, you can activate this zone with the help of figurines made of crystals or paintings depicting poppies. Preference is given to quartz or crystal; crystals are taken in pink or red colors. It is best to decorate the sector with paired figurines. These could be pigeons, swans or dolphins.
If we are not talking about an apartment located in a multi-storey building, in which it is impossible to change the arrangement of rooms, it is best to place a bedroom in this sector. Do not despair if there is a bathroom or corridor in the southwestern part of the room. These rooms can be decorated with figurines. In addition, a pair of scarlet crystal swans will fit perfectly into any interior. To protect the house from evil people, they hang a mirror in the corridor above the front door, and put away things that are no longer in use.
Travel and assistant zones
Beautiful white tones
The sector of travel and assistants is controlled by the element of Earth. It is best to place a hallway in this sector.
According to Feng Shui, this area should be decorated in yellow, gray or white colors. It is not recommended to place things related to water here (aquariums, fountains or paintings depicting water or sea life).
If there are awards received for participation in sports or intellectual competitions, they belong here. Trophies obtained from hunting or fishing, if any, are also located here.
You can activate the zone of helpers and travel with the help of paintings with images of angels or portraits of authoritative people. These can be not only world-famous people, but also acquaintances who command respect and are role models.
It is strictly forbidden to hold any weapons or hang pictures of an erotic nature here.
Career zone
The career area is controlled by the element of Water. Accordingly, the career area should be decorated in a blue color scheme. The presence of black in small quantities is also allowed. For this sector, choose furniture that will not take up much space and will not clutter the room. The lack of free space will have a negative impact on a person’s self-development and career growth. For decoration, choose products made of metal.
The zone is activated using objects with water: waterfalls, fountains, aquariums, etc. If you prefer an aquarium, 9 fish are placed in it. Numerology is of great importance in the teachings of Feng Shui. The number 9 for the career sector is significant.
To enhance the energy of this sector, place Chinese unicorns, coins, turtle figurines, crystal balls, and watches here. It is desirable that the latter be equipped with a pendulum. If possible, a work office is set up in this sector.
Sector of fame and self-realization
This sector is protected by the element of Fire. It is decorated in red and green colors.
Activation occurs with the help of your own awards, photographs, candles, paintings depicting any landscapes. You can enhance the energy in this sector with the help of things made from natural materials. It is worth ordering furniture made of natural wood (bamboo or ash).
You should not place anything related to water (shells and sea pebbles, an aquarium) in this area, or use ceramic products in the decoration of the room. There is no place here for paintings depicting mountains.
Which device is better to buy?
For the initial study of Feng Shui and facade measurements, any accurate compass (tourist, military, liquid, digital with magnetic resistors) will be useful. The main criteria for choosing a device are:
- stability of its arrow;
- scale frequency – 360º;
- high accuracy;
- rectangular base;
- possibility of vertical and horizontal alignment (arrow buoyancy).
To get complete information on Feng Shui techniques, it is better to purchase a professional combined model of Zong He, and then choose a compass whose technique will be used. To determine the favorable and negative energies of the Flying Stars, you will need a San Yuan compass.
Souvenir inexpensive fakes of professional compasses will not only give incorrect measurements, but will also mislead you regarding the fundamentals and laws of the doctrine. To consistently study Chinese age-old wisdom, you need an expensive instrument with many clues on a large number of rings. A good device becomes an assistant and advisor to the owner.
Magic number table
Year | Number | Year | Number | Year | Number |
1920 | 8 | 1948 | 7 | 1976 | 6 |
1921 | 7 | 1949 | 6 | 1977 | 5 |
1922 | 6 | 1950 | 5 | 1978 | 4 |
1923 | 5 | 1951 | 4 | 1979 | 3 |
1924 | 4 | 1952 | 3 | 1980 | 2 |
1925 | 3 | 1953 | 2 | 1981 | 1 |
1926 | 2 | 1954 | 1 | 1982 | 9 |
1927 | 1 | 1955 | 9 | 1983 | 8 |
1928 | 9 | 1956 | 8 | 1984 | 7 |
1929 | 8 | 1957 | 7 | 1985 | 6 |
1930 | 7 | 1958 | 6 | 1986 | 5 |
1931 | 6 | 1959 | 5 | 1987 | 4 |
1932 | 5 | 1960 | 4 | 1988 | 3 |
1933 | 4 | 1961 | 3 | 1989 | 2 |
1934 | 3 | 1962 | 2 | 1990 | 1 |
1935 | 2 | 1963 | 1 | 1991 | 9 |
1936 | 1 | 1964 | 9 | 1992 | 8 |
1937 | 9 | 1965 | 8 | 1993 | 7 |
1938 | 8 | 1966 | 7 | 1994 | 6 |
1939 | 7 | 1967 | 6 | 1995 | 5 |
1940 | 6 | 1968 | 5 | 1996 | 4 |
1941 | 5 | 1969 | 4 | 1997 | 3 |
1942 | 4 | 1970 | 3 | 1998 | 2 |
1943 | 3 | 1971 | 2 | 1999 | 1 |
1944 | 2 | 1972 | 1 | 2000 | 9 |
1945 | 1 | 1973 | 9 | 2001 | 8 |
1946 | 9 | 1974 | 8 | ||
1947 | 8 | 1975 | 7 |
Determining the cardinal directions in your home using a compass
A Feng Shui compass measures the basic data of the cardinal directions, which have eight directions and trigrams:
- north – from 337.5 to 22.5° (Kan);
- northeast – from 22.5 to 67.5° (Gen);
- east – from 67.5 to 112.5° (Zhen);
- southeast – from 112.5 to 157.5° (Xun);
- south – from 157.5 to 202.5° (Li);
- southwest – from 202.5 to 247.5° (Kun);
- west – from 247.5 to 292.5° (Dui);
- northwest ∑ from 292.5 to 337.5° (Qian).
The starting point for measurements is the entrance door to the apartment - measurements are taken outside the home in the direction of the entrance to the apartment (in an apartment building, measurements begin from the entrance door).
Basic recommendations for making accurate calculations:
- fix the device on a horizontal base (a board or book will do);
- When measuring, hold the device at waist level;
- attach the base with the compass to the door (facing it);
- adjust the scale dial until the north on the scale coincides with the north on the compass needle;
- write down the degree angle from zero to the perpendicular line to the door;
- find the value of this angle in the table and determine the direction of the apartment relative to the cardinal points.
To find the cardinal directions in the apartment, you need to draw up an exact diagram of the home to scale (where 1 m is equal to 1 cm). Then mark the center of the apartment: if the rectangle is correct - at the intersection of the diagonals, if the shape is irregular - the drawing must be completed to a rectangular shape. In an irregularly shaped apartment, some sectors of the cardinal directions may not exist.
The apartment plan needs to be divided into nine zones - Palaces (3x3 square). Then you need to find the centers in all the rooms. By marking the cardinal directions on the drawing (based on the measurement of the starting point - the entrance), you can study the favorable and unfavorable zones of all rooms.
Calculation process
Once we have defined the facade, we must take the correct position to measure it.
Let's imagine that the facade of the building that we will study is directed towards the sea (beautiful landscape, large windows, movement). To take measurements, we need to stand with our backs parallel to the facade and facing the sea.
In the photograph you can easily see our physical position, for taking measurements, using the Lo Pan compass, for reading the information of the facade.
Be sure to take the necessary precautions to ensure accurate data; the following paragraph covers some of this process.
Precautions during measurements
To obtain correct measurement data, you need to follow the established rules that are contained in the instructions for using a professional compass:
- remove metal objects (keys, buckles, coins, jewelry, phones);
- check that there are no magnetic interference nearby (large metal pipes, beams, cables);
- move a few meters away from a metal door or large obstacles;
- Do not place the device on the ground (magnetic fields change);
- measure the direction of the facade several times in different places;
- take measurements of the rear and sides of the house to verify the accuracy of the measurements.
The technique of determining Bagua zones in Feng Shui is the simplest method of harmonizing the sectors of the elements in a room, but it will become false if the location of the facade is incorrectly measured. Measurements with a compass should be made without fuss, following all the recommendations of the experts.
Interior color
For interior design, it is important to consider the influence of different colors. Red, bright yellow, orange, the colors of fire activate physical and mental activity. It is better to use them in an office, a sports room, but not preferably in a bedroom.
Green and blue calm and help restore strength. It is ideal to use them in the bedroom and nursery. White is a color symbolizing purity and harmony. Suitable for any room.
Energy of numbers
Each number characterizes a certain type of energy, which is tied to a certain time of year. When you know your “magic” number, you can easily determine which energy is inherent in you.
1 | Water | Winter | Independence Intuition |
2 | Earth | Late summer | Methodical |
3 | Storm | Spring | Focus on the future |
4 | Wind | Late spring | Amenability |
5 | Earth | Center Forces | Perseverance |
6 | Sky | Late fall | Inflexibility |
7 | Lake | Autumn | Mobility |
8 | Mountain | Late winter | Energy |
9 | Fire | Summer | Impulsiveness |