The Lo Pan – Feng Shui Compass

The first reference to the compass in the West was 1834.  In ancient China a fish-shaped devise floated in water pointing south from as early as 1088.  Not for use in navigation or science, but for imperial divination of the ancient art of feng shui.

“Feng Shui” means wind and water.  The study of invisible magnetic lines and a balance of yin and yang, rather than the forces themselves.   An ancient Chinese concept that Heaven and Earth should be in harmony if ones fortunes are to prosper.   The relationship between people, objects, and space - means that when chi flows easily through a dwelling, the occupants will be positive with an easy passage through life.

To protect a dwelling from harmful influences and to maximize the flow of ch’i, a feng shui practitioner calculates its position in relation to these energies and the surroundings.  Like mountains, rivers, and other buildings.  These forms and everyday forces are considered the most inflectional - but astrological elements and yin and yang as suggested in the almost-three-thousand-year-old “Book of Changes” are also taken into account

The usual method of doing this is with the “Lo P’an”, a feng shui compass.  Traditionally this instrument has a red square base representing earth and allowing it to be aligned against buildings.  From length and breath are two red threads acting as cursors exactly crossing the center.   Representing heaven are at least twenty inner dials surrounding a center compass.  Each dial is segregated into divisions.  These complex partitions all represent something.  From earthly elements - to traditional and mythological Chinese mountains, dragons, seasons, lunar and astrological positions.

However, full understanding of the Lo P’an remains with a geomancer, the professional feng shui expert. Today these skilled practitioners command the highest fees from top Western companies, keen to maximize profit for their shareholders.  The layman wishing to maximize his fortune is best to possess the Lo P’an for good luck and use it simply to position the furniture in relation to north and south.  A list of helpful websites on interpreting feng shui can be found at http://www.onlineoriental.com/fengshui.htm

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