Myths in feng shui (I)
by Jayashree Bose

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In this article I will try to separate the myths in feng shui from the facts. There are many myths in feng shui that are based on folklores and not in feng shui.

Myth 1
It is good to have an idol or a picture of a dragon on the East or left side of the house walls.
Fact - This seems to have its basis on the form school theory of four celestial animals. According to this theory the Green dragon (name given to natural mountain or building) falls on the left side of the property and if the property faces the South then green dragon will be the mountain/building that falls on the East. To know more click here.

Myth 2
It is good to have an idol or a picture of a phoenix on the South wall of the house.
Fact - This seems to have its basis on the form school theory of the four celestial animals. According to this theory the Phoenix (name given to natural hill/mountain or building) falls in front of the property and helps in retaining qi in a property. To know more click here.

Myth 3
It is the number of rods in the wind chime that decides the location of the wind chime.
Fact - The number of rods in a wind chime does not matter as long as the wind chime produces a metallic sound. However, people preferably use the 6 rod wind chime as the number 6 represents Qian kua which also represents big metal.

Myth 4
The octagonal or the round shape is the luckiest shape in feng shui.
Fact - Feng shui doesnot have any lucky or unlucky shape. Any even shaped object/ building can be counted as good. The quality of a site is judged by applying different formulae.

Myth 5
Keeping three Chinese coins in the wallet will ensure a good cash flow.
Fact - This is a superstition which has its basis in a Chinese festival. During Chinese New Year's it is auspicious to present each other with a red packet that holds three Chinese coins tied together with a red ribbon. This means you are wishing the other person good luck and prosperity. It is the same ritual that other communities have of distributing sweets/candies and gifts during Dushera/Diwali/Christmas.

Myth 6
Keeping a laughing Buddha in the house is a particular area of the house will ensure a good flow of money.
Fact - I am not sure where this one cropped up from. But like Hindus have the Goddess of wealth - Lakshmi, whom they worship and welcome to their home's every year. The same way the Chinese have their God of wealth - whom they worship and welcome to their homes every year. However the Chinese donot relate the laughing Buddha with wealth. Logically thinking - how can a statue of laughing Buddha give you wealth?

To be continued next month.