Definitions

The following list of definitions includes both Chinese and English terminology relevant to feng shui, astrologies, and medicine

The use of Mandarin pinyin is encouraged for the global community as the standarization of Chinese terms in the English language. Where possible it is indicated whether or not the term is pinyin.

It should also be noted that translation of Chinese characters into the English language is often difficult because of the multitude of meanings of certain Chinese characters. The terms in this glossary are defined as they pertain to feng shui, astrologies, and medicine.

If a definition to a term is not listed on this page readers can submit the term to FSI Email and we will attempt to find the definition. If possible, please include the dialect, tones, and/or a scan of the character.


[Numeric] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L]
[M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z]


Numeric

24 Mountains - consist of the 12 Earthly Branches, the 8 Heavenly Stems and the 4 corner Trigrams. There are 6 Water Houses, 6 Fire Houses, 6 Wood Houses and 6 Metal Houses.

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A

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B

Ba Gua -

Ba Zi - (Mandarin) - translates as Four Pillars, but literally means 8 (Chinese) Characters.

Bau-Biologie - also known as Bio-Architecture, it is the study of the influence of the habitat on living creatures. It includes the geography both on and under the surface of the earth, the weather, the materials used to construct and decorate a building, the eletromagnetic fields, and various other factors. Dowsing is one method used to determine which of these elements influence your well being and your health.

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C

Chiang Da Hung - a Master, author of the work "Tien Yuan Wu Ge".

Chinese Animal Zodiac - The Chinese Animal Zodiac is comprised of 12 animal signs. Rat, Ox or Buffalo, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat or Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig or Boar. The animals were assigned to the 12 Earthly Branches as a relationship of attributes. However, these assignments do not reflect the entirety of the nature of the 12 Earthly Branches.

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D

Dao De - dao4 de2, virtue and character, one of the five areas of influence.

Du Shu - du2 shu1, education and effort, one of the five areas of influence.

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E

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F

Fan Yin – also known as Reverse Chant, when the #5-Yellow Star, flying in a yin (backward) direction, occupies the Mountain or Water of the Central Palace.

Fei Xing - translates as Flying Stars.

Feng - feng1, translates as wind.

Feng Shui - feng1 shui3, translates as wind and water; study of the environment; study and manipulation of qi; one of the five areas of influence.

Feng Shui Rulers - it is generally acknowledged that there is no true validity to use of feng shui rulers.

Five Areas of Influence - in order of importance:
1. Ming – (ming4) , fate, destiny, decided at birth and cannot be changed, but can be known.
2. Yun – (yun4), luck, which fluctuates with time, and can be predicted.
3. Feng Shui – (feng1 shui3), environment. We can manipulate this to reach the higher levels of what our fate and our luck allow.
4. Dao De – (dao4 de2), virtue and character. This brings us good karma and good will from others.
5. Du Shu – (du2 shu1), education and effort. Even with the best luck, if we sit at home and wait, we will miss out. We must do the footwork.

Five Aspects of Destiny - Karma, Calculation of Fate, Feng Shui, Luck, and Good Works. These five aspects of destiny are believed, at least by the Chinese, to greatly affect or control the fate or destiny of individuals. It would appear that each aspect accounts for approximately 20% of the factors of life.

Five Elements - Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.

Fu Hsi - also known as Fu Xi,

Fu Yin – also known as Reiterative Chant, when the #5-Yellow Star, flying in a yang (forward) direction, occupies the Mountain or Water of the Central Palace.

Fu Xi - also known as Fu Hsi,

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G

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H

Heaven's Heart -

Ho - Harmony.

Huai Nan Zi -

Huo - Huo3, Fire.

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I

I Ching - “Book of Changes”.

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J

Jiang Da Hong - a Master,

Jin - Jin1, Metal.

Jing - Essence. Jing is considered yin. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, Jing (Yin) is combined by Chi (Yang) with the essence of food and the body's fluid to make blood (refer to San Bao).

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K

Kan - time.

Kan Yu - Time and space, a school of feng shui.

Kong – color, space, form, emptiness.

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L

Li Chun - is the the day the Annual Star changes, the beginning of the Chinese Solar New Year which usually begins approximately February 4th or 5th each year.

Long Hu Tu - Long2 Hu3 Tu2, Dragon and Tiger Map.

Long Mei - is translated as Dragon Veins, also known as ley lines. They are the paths which qi follows through the Earth. Eva Wong covers the subject of Dragon Veins (Long Mai) on pages 65-68 in her book.

Lo Pan - anglicized version of Luo Pan.

Luck - is considered to be comprised of three components known as Heaven Luck, Earth Luck and Man Luck.

Luo Jing - (Mandarin) - Luo Jing is the proper name of the instument we use to measure directions. It is the Chinese compass used in Feng Shui, also termed as Luo Pan or Lo Pan.

Luo Jing Jie - a book about the Luo Jing.

Luo Pan - (Mandarin) - is the Chinese compass used in Feng Shui, also spelled as Luo Jing or Lo Pan.

Lo Shu - anglicized version of Luo Shu.

Luo Shu - the magic square containing the 9 stars.

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M

Ming - ming4, life; fate, destiny; the ordinances of Heaven; order, command; assign, i.e., a name, title, etc.; one of the five areas of influence.

Ming Dynasty -

Ming Gua - Life Gua.

Ming Shu - ming4 shu4, fate calculation; astrology.

MTF - Mountain-Time-Facing order of stars.

Mu - Mu4, Wood.

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N

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O

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P

Period - The primary requisite for construction of a Flying Star chart is to know the "Period" of the house. This is the beginning of application of the time factor to determine the allocation of qi throughout the structure. There are several variants for determination of Period for use in construction of a star chart. Some schools prefer to utilize the the move-in date as the essential time factor. However, the most prominent recognized method is to use the time of construction as the determining factor of Period. In essence, construction of a structure is organized into aspects of foundaton, framework and roof. The foundation determines the compass directions of the structure. The framework determines how qi will flow within the internal barriers. But the roof determines what energy is actually sealed within the structure. We do not really need to consider the move in date as any major aspect of feng shui.

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Q

Qi - (Mandarin) - also known as chi; vital energy; primordial breath; air; breath, energy. Qi, in reference to the human body, is considered yang. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [qi is] a Yang counterpart to Blood(Yin), it forms and circulates blood (refer to San Bao).

Qing Dynasty -

Quo - According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [quo is] Kingdom. Literally "Kingdom", this term is often used with Tsong (Tsong quo) as central kingdom, a term referring to China.

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R

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S

Sam Sart - (Cantonese) - San Sha.

San Ban Gua - all palaces of the flying star chart contain the Mountain-Time-Facing combinations of 147, 258, and 369. Reputedly, this structure is auspicious under all circumstances.

San Bao - Three Treasures. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [the Three Treasures are] Jing (essence), Chi (vitality), Shen (spirit), the Asian anatomical "substances" with no Western Counterpart.

San He - Three Combinations or Three Unities, refers to a major traditional school of feng shui and also concepts of Four Pillars. The entire theory of the San He School is based on the four sets of triangular combinations known as Frames.

San Pao - See San Bao. San Sha - (Mandarin) - Three Evils or Three Killings, annual sha directions determined by calculation of the San He and Elemental relationships.

San Yuan - Three Cycles, refers to a major traditional school of feng shui.

San Yuan Bu Bai - Invincible in Three Cycles, fortunate chart structure, overrides evil features. San Yuan Jiu Yun - the three subcycles and nine periods.

Seam Needle - one of the directional needles on a San He luo pan. The seam needle reads 7.5 degrees behind the correct needle. The seam needle was originally used in yin house feng shui as the guideline to locate the "sands" and "water".

Sha – death, killing, detrimental.

Sha Qi - detrimental energy.

Shan - (Mandarin) - shan1, translates as mountain.

Shang - shang4, to ascend, up, above.

Shang Shan - above mountain, Double-Facing House.

Shang Shan Xia Shui – above mountain and below water, reversed house or out of place mountain and water, prominent star occupies mountain in the facing and water in the sitting.

Shao - Blood. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Shao is] the substance which transports oxygen to parts of the body. Blood (Yin) regulates the creation and distribution of Chi (Yang). Shen - Spirit. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Shen is] the governing force that informs the flesh to respond. All higher faculties like consciousness are examples of Shen. See San Bao(Chinese). Shen Shi Xuan Kong Xue - is translated as Master Shen's Xuan Kong Book.

Shen Zhu Reng - a Master, author of the work "Shen Shi Xuan Kong Xue".

Sheng - life, growth, beneficial.

Sheng Qi - beneficial energy.

Shui - (Mandarin) - shui3, translates as water; general term for river, etc.

Sui Po - is the Branch known as the Year Clash, diametrically opposite the Branch of the Year.

Sui Wey - Sui Xing - the star (planet) Jupiter.

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T

Tai Ji - Grand Ultimate. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Tai Chi is] 1: (martial), several Taoist martial arts based on Taoist theory. Generally these arts are practised very slowly; 2: (metaphysical), the first division of Wu Chi, it represents the primal separation into Yin and Yang. Tai Sui - is translated as Grand Duke Jupiter. It is the direction related to the year, i.e., Tiger direction in a Tiger year, part of the NE. It is generally acknowledged that it causes harm to disturb the earth or perform construction in these directions.

Tao - see Dao. Three Sha - are three annual stars which bring a bad influence to that direction. Advice pertaining to their locations are disclosed in the Tung Shu.

Tien Yuan Wu Ge - a work by Master Chiang Da Hung.

Time - is the perception of the linear conception of the distance traveled by consciousness. Several of the methods of time calculation include Local Apparent Time, Local Mean Time, Standard Time, and Daylight-Saving Time. When determining the "double-hour" of birth in Chinese astrology, for the hour and day pillar use standard time.

Tsong - Central Tu - Tu3, Earth.

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U

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V

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W

Wang - (Mandarin) - wang4, translates as prosperous, vigorous.

Wang Shan - (Mandarin) - translates as prosperous mountain.

Wang Shan Wang Shui - prosperous mountain and prosperous water, "Good for People and Good for Money". In ancient China, Feng Shui was more about selecting an auspicious Facing Direction in which to build a new home or about selecting an auspicious Facing Direction in which to bury a family member. In modern times (in the West), Feng Shui is more about "fixing" that which is inauspicious and "enhancing" that which has the potential for "auspiciousness". Wang Shan, Wang Shui is a fortuitous situation whereby the Prominent Facing/Water Star is at the front-center of a Flying Star (Xuan Kong) Chart, and the Prominent Sitting/ Mountain Star is at the rear-center of a Flying Star Chart. In very general terms, there are only four "types" of houses that can be constructed during this period. According to Master Larry Sang there are four "types" of houses: Good for People, Good for Money (Wang Shan, Wang Shui) Bad for People, Good for Money (Double-Facing) Good for People, Bad for Money (Double-Sitting) Bad for People, Bad for Money (Reversed House. No house is all bad, and no house is all good.

Wang Shui - (Mandarin) - translates as prosperous water.

Water Dragon Classic -

Wu Chi - see Wu Ji. Wu Dynasty -

Wu Ji - According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Wu Chi is] No Extremity. A boundless, homogeneous state. According to Taoist scripture, after the creation, the universe condensed into this state.

Wu Xing -

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X

Xia - xia4, to descend; down, below, low

Xia Shui – below water, Double-Sitting House.

Xuan – dark, obscure, profound, secret, time;progressing time; Xuan is a concept that describes an unknown or deep sense of meaning and is often used in a philosophical contest. In Feng Shui practice, Xuan relates more to the physical context as "Time."

Xuan Ji Fu -

Xuan Kong - a method of geomancy; a concept of Form and Space or Time and Space.

Xuan Kong Mi Zhi - Secret Decrees, a book of major importance in Xuan Kong.

Xuan Zhi Fu - is a book of major importance in Xuan Kong.

Xue - translates as book.

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Y

Yang - the active principle. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Yang is] the complimentary opposite of Yin (Chinese), Yang is used to characterize qualities such as light, outside, positive, male and rising.

Yang House - The siting of living spaces.

Yin - the passive principle. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Yin is] The complimentary opposite of Yang (Chinese), Yin is used to characterize qualities such as dark, inside, negative, female and falling.

Yin Du - ancient term for India (Hindu).

Yin House - the siting of graves.

Yu - space, geographical space.

Yuan - 60 years.

Yuan Kong - means the change of luck in the same space for different 20 year periods.

Yun - 20 year construction periods (pertaining to feng shui) related to the nine flying stars which repeat in 180-year cycles (9 stars times 20 years each); a period of time pertinent to feng shui and Chinese astrology; the yun are related to the stems and branches (which belong to a cycle of sixty)in four pillars and zi wei dou shu(the ten-year periods of time are called da yun, the big luck, the annual cycles are called xiao yun, the small luck) ; yun4 means luck (in general, not specifying if it is good luck or bad luck); carry, transport; to move, to revolve; use, wield, utilize; one's luck or fortune; yun or luck is post-heaven; one of the five areas of influence.

Yi Jing - (Mandarin) - “Book of Changes”.

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Z

Zhang Zhung Pu -

Zhou Dynasty -

Zi Bai - Purple-White Method.

Zi Pin

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