Feng Shui
Feng Shui is a Chinese system of aesthetics. It is believed that it incorporates aspects of Heaven and Earth to improve ones life by directing positive chi/qi in the proper fashion.
Since ancient times feng shui has been used to determine the direction a building would be faced in order insure that the structure was constructed in an auspicious manner. A site could be selected based upon a number of factors. Using the stars, any nearby water or even a compass to achieve the proper orientation and location, practitioners would determine the right placement.
Feng shui enjoyed resurgence in popularity in the 1960s and its principles are still being used today to design buildings, office spaces and even homes. The goal of employing a feng shui practitioner is to maximize the positive chi/qi affecting a particular location. Feng shui may be used to determine where and when to build, how to decorate a space or how to balance the traditional ‘elements’ of Chinese lore.
There are several different schools of thought which practice feng shui. Modern schools are not always well perceived by traditional Chinese practitioners who feel that much of the original art has been lost in its translation to English. That hasn’t done a thing to reduce the popularity of the art.
The continued importance of trained feng shui practitioners was well demonstrated when Disney agreed to shift the gate to the new Disneyland Hong Kong by 12 degrees just to be in line with favorable conditions.