The Feng Shui Considerations Of A Good Resting Place
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese metaphysical practice focused on harmonizing individuals with their surrounding environment. The term translates to “wind” (feng) and “water” (shui), symbolizing natural elements that influence life and energy flow. These metaphysical principles are applied in interior design, architecture, and landscaping to improve the energy and functionality of spaces.
Yin Zhai Feng Shui (陰宅凤水) refers to the branch of Feng Shui specifically applied to burial sites and ancestral tombs. It is based on the belief that the energy or qi of the deceased, influenced by their burial location, has a direct impact on the prosperity, health, and well-being of their living descendants. The term “Yin Zhai” translates to “Yin Dwelling,” symbolizing the resting place of ancestors in contrast to “Yang Zhai,” which refers to Feng Shui for the living (homes and workplaces).
Key Principles of Yin Zhai Feng Shui:
5 elements (五行)
The Five Elements in Feng Shui—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—represent natural energies that influence balance and harmony and are intricately linked in cycles of suppression and reinforcement. Each element is associated with specific attributes, colors, shapes, and seasons: Wood symbolizes growth and vitality, Fire embodies passion and transformation, Earth offers stability and nourishment, Metal signifies precision and clarity, and Water represents flow and abundance. These elements interact in cycles of creation (e.g., Wood fuels Fire) and destruction (e.g., Water extinguishes Fire), shaping the energy flow in a space. By understanding and applying the Five Elements, Feng Shui practitioners create balanced environments that enhance well-being and support various life aspects, from health to prosperity.
Site Selection:
The location of the burial site is of utmost importance. Ideal sites are chosen based on the natural landforms, ensuring a harmonious flow of chi. Features like hills, mountains, rivers, and valleys are analyzed to identify a location that has optimal positive energy
Dragon Veins (龙脉):
This refers to the energy pathways in the land, often linked to mountain ranges or natural formations. A burial site located on a favorable “dragon vein” is thought to bring good fortune to descendants.
Direction and Orientation:
The alignment of the tomb with cardinal directions is carefully calculated, often by a feng shui master using a Feng Shui compass (Luo Pan). This ensures that the tomb aligns with auspicious energies while avoiding unfavorable ones.
Protection and Support:
Ideal sites are “embraced” by surrounding hills or mountains (symbolizing protection) and face open spaces or water bodies (symbolizing opportunities and wealth). These features reflect the Feng Shui concept of four auspicious directions namely “Black Tortoise” in the north “Green Dragon” in the east, “White Tiger” in the west, and “Vermillion Phoenix” in the south. For example, the presence of mountains in the northern area of the site is desirable as it confers to the “black tortoise” in the north.
Ancestral Energy:
The well-being of ancestors’ spirits is believed to influence the luck and prosperity of their descendants. Proper Yin Zhai Feng Shui ensures that ancestral spirits are at peace, fostering a harmonious connection between generations.
Timing:
The timing of burial ceremonies and site selection is often determined by the Chinese calendar, astrological charts, and the personal “Bazi” (Eight Characters) of the deceased and their family members.
Why Choose Goldhill Memorial?
At Goldhill Memorial, our niches have been examined by fengshui masters to satisfy the conditions of positive Yin Zhai Feng Shui, namely:
1. Backed with Ancestor’s Hill (背靠组山）
Goldhill Memorial Centre is constructed in front of a hill, which acts as the “ancestor’s hill” serving to anchor the positive qi energy and fortune of the location.
2. The gates of heaven must be open (天门要开）
The immediate surrounding areas of Goldhill Memorial are large open spaces free of obstructions this corresponds to positive energy relating to career or education, being free of obstructions -smooth and untroubled.
3. Surrounded by hills and water (山环水绕）
In Feng Shui, the presence of both mountains (yang) and water (Yin) features are desirable as they represent security and wealth respectively. Goldhill Memorial is located on a major dragon vein (龙脉) that runs through Southeast Asia. Furthermore being located on the island state of Singapore, Goldhill Memorial’s location is naturally surrounded by the sea, fulfilling both the conditions of mountains and water features, balancing yin and yang for prosperity and good luck.
4. The vault of the earth must be closed (地户要闭）
Our niches are all located underground, not only does this fulfill the traditional Chinese aspect of 入土为安， but also strengthens the ‘earth’ and ‘metal’ elements in the 5 elements, which are usually difficult to build up as buildings in Singapore tend to lack underground spaces. This brings the 5 elements in harmony, which grants positive energy to health and fortune.
5. Sitting on the north and facing south (坐北朝南）
unlike traditional Columbarium which tend to arrange niches in a pagoda or cubic formation, all our niches face the north, usually viewed in Feng Shui as the most auspicious direction as emperors of the old would face their thrones north.
Yin Zhai Feng Shui is steeped in traditional Chinese beliefs, and thus continues to be practiced by families who value ancestral veneration, and the preservation of their legacies.