Chapter 9
Turtles, Tigers, and Dragons, Oh My: Evaluating Your Environment
In This Chapter
The Four Celestial Palaces: totems worshipped by the ancient Chinese
The four terrestrial animals: landform and building shapes that affect your well-being
River and road patterns
The importance of where your home is placed
Feng shui’s all about living in harmony with your environment. It’s about harnessing sheng, or positive qi, to promote better health, wealth, and relations with others. It’s about avoiding or correcting sha, or negative qi, a detriment to your well-being. In this chapter, you’ll learn about ancient Chinese cosmology—how four celestial deities (the crimson bird, azure dragon, white tiger, and black turtle) worshipped by the Chinese transformed into terrestrial landforms. You’ll discover how to recognize these landforms and how they offer protection and security. Also, we’ll show you how neighboring buildings, river courses, and roadways play a role in your life and livelihood.
We guarantee you’ll see your neighborhood, city—heck, even the world—with new vision. Can a film editor watch a film without critiquing its edits and pace? Can a fitness professional look at a body without assessing the person’s physique? Certainly not.
Here a Totem, There a Totem
All ancient societies worshipped the heavens, envisioning their gods, guardians, and clan ancestors as configurations of celestial bodies. For the most part, these star-patterned deities were represented in animal form. Called totems, the animals were worshipped in exchange for protection. Originating from the Algonquin tribe of North America, the word “totem” describes a clan’s emblem—an animal or natural object with which a group feels a special affection or attachment.
Why the affinity with a particular animal? This is a mystery. Although we’ll probably never know why a tribe chose a particular animal as its emblem, the geographic region of the culture in question might provide important clues. Also, it’s reasonable to assume the animal embodied positive attributes (like courage, strength, or loyalty) with which the tribe wanted to associate itself. But, before we get into these aspects, let’s first define the totems worshipped by the ancient Chinese. Then we can learn how these totems relate to the art and science of feng shui.
Wise Words
Totem is an Algonquin word describing an animal or natural object with which a clan feels a special attachment. Symbolizing group membership, the totem is worshipped by the members of the clan bearing its name.
Circus of the Stars
In China, four celestial deities revered by ancient tribes combined to help form the culture we know today. What would come to be known as the Four Celestial Palaces—the crimson bird, azure dragon, mysterious black turtle, and white tiger—are actually macroconstellations, or an enormous stellar division, composed of seven independent constellations each. Together, the 4 macroconstellations make up the 28 constellations of the Chinese Zodiac.
Signaling the arrival of the solstices and equinoxes, each macroconstellation represents a quarter of the night sky, each visible in its entirety only in the season with which it’s associated (you’ll learn more about this later in this chapter). As an aside, it’s important to understand that the Chinese use the celestial equator to track stellar positions. In China’s mountainous regions, it makes more sense to base observations on the times when the heavenly bodies come into view overhead. In the Western world, emphasis is placed on the rising and setting of celestial bodies on the terrestrial horizon. Called the ecliptic system, it originated in subtropic regions where the land is flat and the view unobstructed.
Wise Words
The celestial equator is the circular path the constellations traverse perpendicular to an imaginary line joining the celestial north pole to Earth’s North Pole. The ancient Chinese called the celestial equator the Red Path. Westerners developed an ecliptic system. It traces the path of the sun through the sky. The ancient Chinese called this system the Yellow Path.
Read All About It: Heaven Falls to Earth!
You might be wondering how ancient cosmology relates to feng shui, how celestial deities are associated with harnessing positive qi. Unfortunately, like many ancient traditions, the answers are swathed in myth. Sometime between the 6000 B.C.E. Neolithic tomb (described in Chapter 3) and the writing of the fourth century C.E. Book of Burial, the bird, dragon, turtle, and tiger deities came down to earth to represent four unique types of landforms associated with Form School feng shui—the practice of locating the most auspicious sites on which to construct a building or bury the dead.
As the story goes, the circular (or domed) heaven and square (or flat) earth were once perfectly balanced, eight majestic mountains (corresponding to each of the eight directions) separating the two realms. However, this ideal and perfect world came to an end when the water demon Gong Gong battled the fire god Zhu Rong. During the battle, Mount Buzhou, the northwest pillar, collapsed. As a consequence, heaven came crashing down, causing the earth plane to rise in the southeast and fall in the northwest. Somehow, the four macroconstellations transformed into terrestrial shapes, each associated with one of the four cardinal directions: the crimson bird to the south, the white tiger to the west, the black turtle to the north, and the azure dragon to the east.
Although an exciting tale, we all know this primeval battle didn’t really occur. How the star-patterned deities entered the earth plane is anyone’s guess. Nevertheless, their shape and proximity to one another help to describe the disposition of qi, ultimately providing the foundation of Form School (Xingfa) feng shui. It was the task of the master to find the place, nestled between the creatures that represented heaven on earth. He did this using a shipan (described in Chapter 6). Over time, this divine instrument was replaced by the luopan, the compass used by feng shui masters today.
In Search of the Dragon’s Lair
The earliest textual documentation underlying the theories of Form School feng shui surface in the fifth century B.C.E. in Guanzi, purportedly written by Guan Zhong, the prime minister of the state of Qi. However, a fully developed theory discussing the relationship of the terrestrial plane and qi isn’t seen for another six centuries. As we already mentioned, the fourth century C.E. Book of Burial (Zhangshu) was the bible of landforms, the text describing in detail how to locate the dragon’s lair (long xue). This is the place where qi converges, the common point of intersection between the southern landform of the crimson bird, the eastern landform of the azure dragon, the northern black turtle, and the western white tiger. The dragon’s lair is considered the most auspicious site on which to build a home or to bury the dead.
Many scholars believe Guo Pu’s (276–324 C.E.) Book of Burial clarifies the Classic of Burial, a text purportedly dating to the Han dynasty. It states: “Qi flows according to the shape of the earth. With qi’s nourishment, all living things come into existence. Qi flows within the ground. Its motion follows the shape of the terrain, accumulating where the terrain stops.”
Locating the cave of the lair, a metaphor for the place where sheng qi pools, is what Form School feng shui is about. When the deceased are buried in this spot, the yin (dead) bones are activated by or charged with yang (living) qi. When a home is built on this auspicious site, the occupants are blessed with good health and wealth.
Climb Every Mountain
Besides being associated with a direction, the bird, dragon, turtle, and tiger landforms correspond to a season, a five-phase color, and a yin and yang polarity, as shown in the following illustration.
Beginning with the crimson bird and traveling clockwise, the bird represents the south, summer, the color red, and yang qi. Because birds are more abundant in warmer climates, it makes sense why the bird deity was placed in the southern sky. Terrestrially, the bird’s features must be lower than the others. The bird doesn’t have to be a landform; it can also represent a body of water.
The white tiger represents the west, autumn, the color white, and yin qi. The tiger is indigenous and plentiful the farther west toward India you travel. Terrestrially, the tiger’s peak is traditionally longer and lower than its eastern counterpart, the dragon.
Master Class
What type of feathered friend is the crimson bird? In its earliest version, it was a sparrow. However, later on, the sparrow was replaced by an antlered phoenix.
The black turtle represents the north, winter, the color black, and yin qi. Not to be confused with the amphibious tortoise, the land creature boasts the highest terrestrial landform feature. Why a turtle? Why the north? Well, all we know is that turtle shell divination was a northern tradition. In fact, divination using the plastrons or bottom shells of turtles (plastomancy) led to a type of divination called sortilege, in which a person drew lots (stone, sticks, or straws, for example) to determine his or her fate. The ancient Chinese used stalks from the yarrow plant, a method directly tied to the development of the Yijing, considered the oldest system of divination still in use today.
Finally, the azure dragon represents the east, spring, the color green, and yang qi. Traditionally, the dragon’s terrestrial features are higher than the western tiger. Meteorologically, the azure dragon is equivalent to the Greco-Roman constellation Scorpious.
Wise Words
The lowest of the landforms, the southern crimson bird can also represent a body of water. This is balanced by the highest northern landform, the black turtle. To the east, the high azure dragon is balanced by the long and low white tiger of the west.
Together, the crimson bird, white tiger, black turtle, and azure dragon form the dragon’s lair. Regardless of their stature, each component plays a vital role in nourishing the land of the living and the realm of the dead. Let’s find out what role each plays.
(Image © 1998 PhotoDisc, Inc.)
Have a Seat
Imagine the lair as an armchair. The tiger and dragon represent the arms; the turtle is the back; and the bird is the foot stool. The fortunate site for a grave, building, or settlement rests in the middle, the seat of the chair. Now, imagine sitting in the chair. How would you feel if the left (azure dragon) or right (white tiger) arm was missing? Would you feel uncomfortable? Exposed? Unbalanced, perhaps? In feng shui, the dragon and the tiger protect the lair just as the arms of the chair protect your body.
The black turtle provides support and protection. In China, the turtle blocked bitter Arctic winds and helped to battle against barbaric attacks. Continuing with our chair analogy, don’t you feel safer and more secure with your back supported? Of course you do! This idea also gives rise to the phrase “Watch your back.”
Master Class
Traditionally, the Chinese believe the left is more important than the right. For this reason, the highest-ranking prime minister always appeared on the left side of the emperor. In part, this has to do with how our brain functions. For people who are right-handed, the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. The ancient Chinese understood this, honoring the brain’s importance by ranking its officials accordingly.
What about the crimson bird? Although not offering protection, this low-lying landform or body of water buffers you from incoming forces. Also, this area provides an unobstructed view of the site in question.
Although traditionally the four terrestrial creatures correspond to one of the four directions, we mustn’t be so strict when we judge our home’s location. Regardless of magnetic orientation, just know it’s most favorable to have the landforms of the turtle supporting your back, the dragon on your left, the white tiger on your right, and the crimson bird in front.
City Slickers
Let’s say you live on flat terrain with no dragon, turtle, or tiger landform in sight. Does this mean your home brings you misfortune? Absolutely not! Symbolically, the four terrestrial creatures can represent buildings. For example, most of us have neighboring structures on the left and right sides of our home. Looking outside from within our dwelling, these structures represent the dragon (left side) and tiger (right side). To determine which side bears the greatest strength you must consider …
The size of the buildings: the bigger and more imposing, the stronger.
The proximity of each to your home: the closer, the more powerful.
The density on each side: the side with a greater number of buildings has more influence.
If the neighboring buildings on the left side are more prominent than on the right side, your home favors the male occupants. This is because the left side, the dragon side, corresponds to yang (male) qi. If the neighboring buildings on the right side are more prominent, your home favors the yin female occupants.
The back side of your home can also be supported by a building. While offering security and protection, the structure in question must not overwhelm your home. Also, it must not block sunlight.
Suitably placed and appropriately sized trees, hedges, bushes, or even fences are a valid substitute for landforms and buildings. If your home backs onto a park, for example, you could plant a grove of trees or a hedge to protect your back side. A fence will also do.
Rolling on the River or Easing on Down the Road
In feng shui, river courses and roadways are evaluated in the same way. A meandering river is similar to a winding road. A sharp current is like heavy rushing traffic. Depending on their patterns, rivers and roads can bring you benevolent sheng qi, inspiring good fortune, or malicious sha qi, causing misfortune and illness.
So, if you’re in the market to buy a new home or would just like to assess your current situation, what we offer here should be considered. In some measure, our health and livelihood depend on the very paths we take for granted.
Notable Quotables
Qi rides the wind and disperses until it encounters water.
—Guo (276–324 C.E.), Book of Burial
Consider the following illustrations. Before reading our analysis, try to form your own conclusion. Staying oblivious to all other factors, consider only how the road’s contour makes you feel.
Let’s consider each illustration separately:
1. A straight road. Generally, most homes are positioned along this type of road pattern. Is this a bad thing? Only if the road is a main thoroughfare, where you’re subjected to extra noise, dirt, and other things possibly causing fatigue and illness. Is it more peaceful listening to sirens or song birds? If you live along a straight roadway, the most auspicious house is in the middle supported by the tiger and dragon. In the same vein, if you live alongside an aqueduct or river rapids, you might feel out of control, as if you’re being buffeted downstream. Now, if the straight road in question is not frequented by traffic, it resembles a lazy stream—quiet, peaceful, balanced.
2. A dead-end street. Here, this dwelling is a recipient of poison arrow qi rushing up the street into the occupant’s front door. Most inauspicious, indeed. It’s also unfavorable to live in an apartment or work in an office at the end of a long hall.
3. A T-junction. Once again, poison arrow qi intrudes. Like a runaway locomotive, it will stop only on impact, enveloping your home in its destructive forces. If you live at a T- or Y-junction (see #5), can anything be done to protect you from the affects of poison arrow qi? Install a high fence or plant a wall of shrubbery to block qi’s destructive path. However, it’s best to avoid choosing locations requiring such action.
4. A corner lot. You may feel unbalanced living on a corner lot. This is because one side of your dwelling’s protection is separated by the street. Also, traffic, noise, and glaring headlights are a consideration. In feng shui, the corner dwelling (or the one at the end of the lane) is considered unfavorable because the qi has dispersed. Also the house’s support is unbalanced with the street coming between the protection of the tiger/dragon.
5. A Y-junction. Similar to a dead-end and T-junction pattern, a home residing in a Y-junction is subjected to two torrents of unfavorable qi. Further, this configuration is cause for accidents due to cars careening off the path into your home.
6. A cul-de-sac. Unlike the dead-end street depicted in illustration 2, a house situated on a cul-de-sac containing an island is fortunate. Why? If you imagine the street as a water course, the island (in this situation) is the crimson bird—the buffer dispersing sha qi’s ill effects. What about a cul-de-sac that doesn’t have a protective island? This, too, is favorable because qi can flow, moving in a circular motion, dispersing its benevolent energy.
7. A U-shape. It stands to reason you may feel suffocated living in a house positioned inside a noose! Although atypical to city streetscape, avoid purchasing a country or mountain home where this type of pattern is more common.
8. A sharp bend. Maneuvering a car around sharp bends is tricky business. The screech of brakes and the glare of headlights add extra anxiety. Would you want to live on such a danger-prone street?
9. A meandering path. Cradled inside an open U-junction, you are protected from the threat of accidents, glaring lights, and poison arrow qi. A house situated here is considered lucky—the benevolent, winding qi bringing prosperity, good health, and promotion.
Some final points: Although not illustrated here, living on the same level or below a freeway is inauspicious. So is living between parallel roads. So, what then are the most favorable locations? Simply, a meandering path (9), followed by a cul-de-sac (6), and a straight road (1) not frequented by traffic. Remember, when evaluating your situation, roadways and water courses are equivalent.
The Least You Need to Know
The foundation of Form School feng shui stems from ancient cosmology.
In feng shui, landforms are referred to as the bird, dragon, turtle, and tiger shapes.
Buildings, trees, and fences can represent the four terrestrial creatures.
Rivers and roads are evaluated in the same way.
The patterns of river courses and roadways can bring either fortune or misfortune to your dwelling.