| Title |
A Basic Study on the Chi of Place |
| Authors |
Lee Kyu-Mok ; Lee Dong-Hwa |
| Keywords |
Chi ; Personal Chi ; Cosmic Chi ; Earthly Chi ; Chi of Place ; Feng Shui |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the Chi in our environment as a main concept of Feng Shui and to suggest an appropriate design principles based upon it. Chi, which first appeared in the area of Chinese philosophy and society, refers to the essence of whole world. It can be both spiritual and substantial, and thus is very diverse and multimodal in its meaning. This paper is interested in substantial Chi existing in our everyday life. Chi presents everywhere and is perceivable to anyone. In English it can be translated into breath, air, vapor, energy, ether, force and so on, but none of them conveys its true meaning.
Just like human body the Chi of place has its breath, blood and vein which connects the different parts and maintains its site functional. The Chi of place consists of earthly Chi and cosmic Chi and they flow around us at all times. If the Chi flows well our lives are filled with happiness and prosperity, but if it flows poorly our circumstances go awry. The purpose of Feng Shui is to harness and enhance the Chi of place to improve the flow of Chi within our bodies, and thus pursuit a more comfortable and harmonious environment to live and work. So the study of influence of earthly Chi and cosmic Chi on personal Chi is important part of Feng Shui.
In comparison with Western Feng Shui which is modernized from Chinese traditional one, Korean Feng Shui, mainly interested in burial sites for the dead, defends too much on the traditional theory such as Yin and Yang principle or Five Elements relationship. Western Feng Shui, on the other hand, lists the Chi on the top of its theory. All efforts in Feng Shui design would be boiled down to the goal of promoting and conquering Chi energy in a site, building or interior. To develop new Feng Shui design method, we should reinterpret the flow of Chi in our living environment combining with modern architectural planning and design theory, so that good Chi could bring about physical and mental health. |