堪舆

Feng Shui Glossary

A bilingual, annotated reference for the terminology of Chinese Geomancy

壹 · Category I

核心基础

Core Fundamentals

风水学的根基概念——气、阴阳、五行在空间中的运用,以及风水的基本原理与流派源流。

风水 Feng Shui (Wind & Water) fēng shuǐ
堪舆之术的总称。"气乘风则散,界水则止。古人聚之使不散,行之使有止,故谓之风水。"(郭璞《葬书》)核心在于藏风聚气。
The general term for the art of geomancy. "Qi disperses when it meets wind; it stops when it reaches water. The ancients gathered it so it would not scatter, moved it so it would rest — hence 'wind and water.'" (Guo Po, Book of Burial) The core is sheltering wind and gathering qi.
Qi (Vital Energy)
宇宙间流动的生命能量,风水的核心对象。"气"有生气、死气、旺气、衰气之分。一切风水操作的最终目的都是引导、聚集和利用"生气"。
The vital life-force that flows through the cosmos; the core object of Feng Shui. Qi manifests as living qi, dead qi, prosperous qi, and declining qi. All Feng Shui operations ultimately aim to guide, gather, and utilize "living qi."
生气 Living Qi / Sheng Qi shēng qì
能够滋养万物、利于人畜的良性之气。风水选址的最高追求即"得生气"。郭璞:"葬者,乘生气也。"
The wholesome qi that nourishes all things and benefits people and livestock. The highest pursuit of Feng Shui site selection is "obtaining living qi." Guo Po: "To bury is to ride the living qi."
阴阳 Yin and Yang yīn yáng
风水中阴阳为空间属性的基本二分:山为阴、水为阳;背为阴、面为阳;内为阴、外为阳。阴阳调和为吉,偏枯为凶。
In Feng Shui, yin-yang is the fundamental spatial dichotomy: mountain = yin, water = yang; back = yin, front = yang; interior = yin, exterior = yang. Harmony of yin and yang is auspicious; imbalance is inauspicious.
五行 Five Elements (Wu Xing) wǔ xíng
金、木、水、火、土。风水中五行对应方位(东木南火西金北水中土)、颜色、形状、材质等,用于空间布局的生克制化。
Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. In Feng Shui, the Five Elements correspond to directions (E-wood, S-fire, W-metal, N-water, center-earth), colors, shapes, and materials — used for spatial arrangement through generation and conquest cycles.
堪舆 Kan Yu (Geomancy) kān yú
风水的古称。"堪"为天道,"舆"为地道。合指勘察天地之道以选址布局的学问。
Archaic name for Feng Shui. "Kan" = the Way of Heaven; "Yu" = the Way of Earth. Together it denotes the discipline of surveying the ways of Heaven and Earth to select sites and arrange spaces.
形势派 Form School (Xing Shi Pai) xíng shì pài
风水两大流派之一。注重观察山川地形的形态走势,以龙、穴、砂、水为核心分析框架。创始于江西,又称"江西派"。
One of the two major Feng Shui schools. Focuses on observing landform configurations, using Dragon, Acupoint, Sand, and Water as the core analytical framework. Originated in Jiangxi; also called the Jiangxi School.
理气派 Compass School (Li Qi Pai) lǐ qì pài
风水两大流派之一。注重方位、时间与数理推算,以罗盘为工具,运用九星、八卦、二十四山等体系断吉凶。又称"福建派"。
One of the two major Feng Shui schools. Focuses on direction, time, and mathematical calculation, using the Luo Pan compass and systems such as Nine Stars, Eight Trigrams, and Twenty-Four Mountains. Also called the Fujian School.
明堂 Bright Hall (Ming Tang) míng táng
穴场前方的开阔地带,为聚气之所。分小明堂(近穴处)、中明堂(龙虎环抱处)、大明堂(远朝案山处)。明堂宜开阔、平坦、聚水。
The open area in front of an acupoint, where qi gathers. Divided into Small Bright Hall (near the acupoint), Middle Bright Hall (within the embrace of Azure Dragon and White Tiger), and Grand Bright Hall (beyond the facing hills). Should be open, flat, and water-collecting.

贰 · Category II

形势派

Form School (Xing Shi)

以山川形态为依据,从龙、穴、砂、水四个维度分析地理吉凶,为风水学最古老的传统。

Dragon (Long) lóng
山脉的走势与起伏如龙行,故称"龙脉"。分祖山、少祖山、父母山、入首等段落。龙要真、活、有变化。
The undulating course of mountain ranges, likened to a dragon's movement — hence "dragon vein." Segments include Ancestor Mountain, Lesser Ancestor, Parent Mountain, and Entry Point. A true dragon must be genuine, alive, and varied.
龙脉 Dragon Vein (Long Mai) lóng mài
连绵起伏的山脉走向,为生气运行的通道。大干龙为天下大势,小枝龙为地方格局。觅龙为形势派首要功夫。
The continuous, undulating alignment of mountain ranges — the channel through which living qi travels. Major trunk dragons determine continental trends; minor branch dragons shape local patterns. Seeking the dragon is the Form School's primary task.
Acupoint (Xue) xué
龙脉结聚生气之处,为风水选址的最终落点。穴如人体穴位,为生气凝结最旺盛之点。有窝穴、钳穴、乳穴、突穴四种基本形态。
The point where a dragon vein condenses living qi — the ultimate site for Feng Shui placement. Like an acupoint on the human body, it is where living qi most powerfully coalesces. Four basic forms: Nest, Pincer, Nipple, and Protrusion.
Sand (Sha) shā
穴场四周的山丘、土阜。左为青龙、右为白虎、前为朱雀(朝案)、后为玄武(靠山)。砂要环抱有情、高低适宜。
The hills and mounds surrounding the acupoint. Left = Azure Dragon, Right = White Tiger, Front = Vermilion Bird (Facing Hill), Back = Black Tortoise (Backing Mountain). Sand should embrace lovingly with appropriate height.
Water (Shui) shuǐ
水为龙之血脉,水聚则气聚。"山管人丁水管财"。水要曲折有情、环抱穴场、清澈不污。
Water is the dragon's bloodline; where water gathers, qi gathers. "Mountains govern people; water governs wealth." Water should flow with gentle curves, embrace the acupoint, and be clear and unpolluted.
口诀 Formula 山管人丁水管财 (Mountains govern population; water governs wealth)
青龙 / 白虎 Azure Dragon / White Tiger qīng lóng / bái hǔ
穴场左侧(坐山面朝时的左手方)为青龙砂,右侧为白虎砂。青龙宜略高、白虎宜略低。"宁可青龙高万丈,不可白虎抬头望。"
The left side of the acupoint = Azure Dragon sand; the right = White Tiger sand. The Dragon should be slightly higher; the Tiger slightly lower. "Better the Dragon rises ten thousand zhang than the Tiger lifts its head."
朝山 / 案山 Facing Mountain / Table Mountain cháo shān / àn shān
穴前近处之山为案山(如书案),远处之山为朝山(朝拜之意)。案山宜低矮端庄,朝山宜高远秀美。
The near hill in front of the acupoint = Table Mountain (like a writing desk); the distant hill = Facing Mountain (paying homage). The table should be low and dignified; the facing hill should be high, distant, and elegant.
靠山 Backing Mountain kào shān
穴后之山,又称"玄武"。为依靠、庇护之象征。靠山要端正、厚重、不逼压。
The mountain behind the acupoint, also called the Black Tortoise. Symbolizes support and shelter. Should be upright, substantial, and not oppressive.
水口 Water Mouth shuǐ kǒu
水流离开明堂之处。水口宜关锁紧密(有山石、洲岛收束),使生气不外泄。"水口不通舟,富贵永无忧。"
Where water exits the Bright Hall. The water mouth should be tightly "locked" (constrained by rocks or islets) so that living qi does not leak out. "If the water mouth admits no boat, wealth and honor are forever secure."

叁 · Category III

理气派

Compass School (Li Qi)

以罗盘为工具,运用时间与方位的数理关系推算吉凶,含玄空飞星、八宅、三合等重要流派。

玄空风水 Xuan Kong Feng Shui xuán kōng fēng shuǐ
理气派中最重要的流派之一。以三元九运为时间框架,配合洛书九宫飞星推算各方位吉凶。"玄"为天、"空"为地。
One of the most important Compass School branches. Uses the Three Eras / Nine Periods framework with Lo Shu Nine-Palace Flying Stars to calculate directional fortune. "Xuan" = Heaven; "Kong" = Earth.
飞星 Flying Stars fēi xīng
将九颗星(一白至九紫)按洛书轨迹飞布于九宫之中,随元运变化而移动。各星有吉凶属性:一白、六白、八白为吉星。
Nine stars (1 White to 9 Purple) distributed across nine palaces following the Lo Shu trajectory, shifting with each period. Auspicious stars: 1 White, 6 White, 8 White.
三元九运 Three Eras, Nine Periods sān yuán jiǔ yùn
180年为一大元,分上元、中元、下元各60年,每元三运各20年。当前为下元八运(2004-2023)→ 九运(2024-2043)。
One Grand Era = 180 years, divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Eras of 60 years each, with each Era containing three Periods of 20 years. Currently in Lower Era Period 9 (2024–2043).
八宅风水 Eight Mansions Feng Shui bā zhái fēng shuǐ
以人之"命卦"配宅之"宅卦",将八方分为四吉方(生气、延年、天医、伏位)和四凶方(绝命、五鬼、六煞、祸害)。
Matching a person's "Ming Gua" (birth trigram) with a dwelling's "Zhai Gua" (house trigram), dividing eight directions into four auspicious (Vital Qi, Longevity, Heavenly Doctor, Stability) and four inauspicious (Absolute Fate, Five Ghosts, Six Sha, Calamity).
命卦 Ming Gua (Birth Trigram) mìng guà
由出生年份计算所得的八卦之一。东四命(震巽离坎)宜居东四宅,西四命(乾坤艮兑)宜居西四宅。
One of the eight trigrams calculated from the birth year. East Four Life (Zhen, Xun, Li, Kan) should live in East Four houses; West Four Life (Qian, Kun, Gen, Dui) should live in West Four houses.
三合风水 Three Harmony Feng Shui sān hé fēng shuǐ
以地支三合局(申子辰合水等)为核心理论,配合双山五行和四大水口断吉凶。主要用于阴宅。
Centers on Earthly Branch Three Harmony Combinations (e.g., Shen-Zi-Chen = Water) paired with Double Mountain Five Elements and Four Major Water Mouths for fortune analysis. Primarily used for Yin dwellings.
旺山旺向 Prosperous Mountain & Direction wàng shān wàng xiàng
玄空风水中的最佳格局:坐山之星当旺且到山,朝向之星当旺且到向。旺运之中,丁财两旺。
The optimal pattern in Xuan Kong: the Mountain star is timely and arrives at the mountain; the Direction star is timely and arrives at the direction. During prosperous periods, both population and wealth flourish.
上山下水 Star Flies Up/Down shàng shān xià shuǐ
玄空中的凶格:旺星飞到坐山(到山不到向)或飞到向方(到向不到山),导致丁旺财衰或财旺丁衰。
An inauspicious pattern in Xuan Kong: the prosperous star flies to the mountain but not the direction, or vice versa — leading to population-rich/wealth-poor or wealth-rich/population-poor situations.

肆 · Category IV

方位与罗盘

Directions & Luo Pan (Compass)

罗盘(罗经)是理气派的核心工具,二十四山、八卦方位、九星等层层叠加于盘面之上。

罗盘 / 罗经 Luo Pan (Geomantic Compass) luó pán / luó jīng
风水专用的精密磁盘,由多层同心圆盘组成,每层标注不同的风水信息(天干、地支、八卦、九星等)。层数从几层到三十余层不等。
A precision geomagnetic compass consisting of multiple concentric rings, each inscribed with different Feng Shui data (Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, Eight Trigrams, Nine Stars, etc.). Ranges from a few to over thirty layers.
二十四山 Twenty-Four Mountains èr shí sì shān
将360°分为24份,每份15°。由八天干(去戊己)、十二地支、四维卦(乾坤艮巽)组成。为罗盘定向的基本单位。
360° divided into 24 sectors of 15° each, composed of eight Heavenly Stems (minus Wu and Ji), twelve Earthly Branches, and four Trigrams (Qian, Kun, Gen, Xun). The basic unit of Luo Pan orientation.
排列 Sequence 壬子癸 · 丑艮寅 · 甲卯乙 · 辰巽巳 · 丙午丁 · 未坤申 · 庚酉辛 · 戌乾亥
坐山 / 朝向 Sitting / Facing zuò shān / cháo xiàng
建筑的背靠方向为"坐",面朝方向为"向"。如"坐北朝南"即坐子向午。坐向为理气分析的起点。
The direction a building backs onto = "Sitting"; the direction it faces = "Facing." E.g., "Sitting North Facing South" = Sitting Zi, Facing Wu. Sitting/Facing is the starting point of Compass School analysis.
兼向 Combining Directions jiān xiàng
坐向线落在两山之间(即超过某山中线3°以上),称"兼"。如坐子兼壬,或坐子兼癸。兼向有兼左兼右之分,吉凶不同。
When the sitting/facing line falls between two Mountains (more than 3° past a Mountain's center), it is "combined." E.g., Sitting Zi combining Ren. Left-combining and right-combining have different fortunes.
中针 / 缝针 Center Needle / Seam Needle zhōng zhēn / féng zhēn
罗盘上的三层针法:地盘正针(格龙定向)、人盘中针(消砂)、天盘缝针(纳水)。各有不同用途。
Three needle layers on the Luo Pan: Earth Plate Center Needle (measuring dragon and orientation), Human Plate Center Needle (evaluating sand), Heaven Plate Seam Needle (receiving water). Each serves a distinct purpose.
九星 Nine Stars jiǔ xīng
贪狼、巨门、禄存、文曲、廉贞、武曲、破军、左辅、右弼。对应北斗七星加辅弼二星,为形势派和理气派共用的星曜体系。
Tan Lang, Ju Men, Lu Cun, Wen Qu, Lian Zhen, Wu Qu, Po Jun, Zuo Fu, You Bi. Corresponding to the Big Dipper plus two auxiliary stars. Used by both Form and Compass schools.

伍 · Category V

阳宅

Yang Dwelling (Residential)

活人居所的风水布局——门、主、灶、卧、厅各有讲究,内外六事与宅体关系密切。

阳宅 Yang Dwelling (Yang Zhai) yáng zhái
活人居住的房屋、建筑。阳宅风水关注居住环境对人运势的影响,与"阴宅"(墓地)相对。
Residential buildings for the living. Yang dwelling Feng Shui concerns how the living environment affects human fortune, contrasted with Yin dwelling (grave sites).
大门 / 门向 Main Door / Door Direction dà mén / mén xiàng
阳宅之"气口",为宅内外气场交流之通道。"千斤门楼四两屋"。门的方位、大小、开法至关重要。
The "Qi Mouth" of a dwelling — the channel for qi exchange between interior and exterior. "A thousand-jin gate tower, a four-liang house." The door's direction, size, and opening method are of utmost importance.
灶位 Stove Position zào wèi
厨房灶台的位置与朝向。灶为"食禄"之所,关系一家饮食健康与财运。灶宜压凶方、朝吉方。
The position and orientation of the kitchen stove. The stove governs "food fortune," affecting family health and wealth. The stove should press upon inauspicious directions and face auspicious ones.
床位 Bed Position chuáng wèi
卧室床铺的位置与朝向。人一生三分之一在睡眠中度过,床位对健康与精神影响深远。床头宜靠实墙、朝吉方。
The position and orientation of the bedroom bed. Since humans spend a third of life sleeping, bed placement deeply affects health and spirit. The headboard should rest against a solid wall and face an auspicious direction.
宅体 House Body (Zhai Ti) zhái tǐ
房屋本身的格局形态——坐向、形状、高低、大小、开间等。宅体端正为吉,歪斜破碎为凶。
The physical form of the house itself — sitting/facing, shape, height, size, room layout, etc. An upright house body is auspicious; a skewed or fragmented one is inauspicious.
内六事 / 外六事 Inner Six / Outer Six Affairs nèi liù shì / wài liù shì
内六事:门、厅、房、灶、厕、井(现代为厨卫水电等)。外六事:道路、桥梁、庙宇、山峰、水塘、邻屋。内外六事影响宅运。
Inner Six: door, hall, room, stove, toilet, well (modern: kitchen, bathroom, plumbing, etc.). Outer Six: roads, bridges, temples, mountains, ponds, neighboring buildings. Both influence dwelling fortune.
动线 Circulation Path dòng xiàn
室内人流活动的路线。动线宜通畅而不直冲,曲折有情。"曲则有情,直则无情。"
The pathways of human movement within a dwelling. Circulation should be unobstructed yet not straight-rushing, with gentle curves. "Curves bring affection; straight lines bring indifference."
煞气 Sha Qi (Killing Breath) shā qì
对人不利的负面能量形态。常见形煞:路冲(枪煞)、壁刀煞、天斩煞、反弓煞、穿心煞等。需以屏风、植物、镜面等化解。
Negative energy forms harmful to people. Common shape-shas: Road Rush (Gun Sha), Wall Blade, Sky Cleaver, Reverse Bow, Heart Piercing, etc. Resolved with screens, plants, mirrors, etc.
路冲 / 枪煞 Road Rush (Gun Sha) lù chōng / qiāng shā
道路或走廊正对大门或窗户,如枪直射。为最典型的形煞之一,主意外、血光、破财。宜以围墙、屏风或植物遮挡化解。
A road or corridor pointing directly at a door or window, like a spear. One of the most classic shape-shas, indicating accidents, bloodshed, and financial loss. Remedied by walls, screens, or plants.

陆 · Category VI

阴宅

Yin Dwelling (Ancestral Burial)

墓地选址与安葬的风水学问,阴宅风水认为祖先安葬之地影响后代运势,是风水学最古老的应用。

阴宅 Yin Dwelling (Yin Zhai) yīn zhái
安葬亡者的墓地。阴宅风水认为祖先墓穴的"生气"通过血脉感应后代,"葬乘生气"可使子孙兴旺。
Burial sites for the deceased. Yin dwelling Feng Shui holds that the "living qi" of an ancestral grave resonates through bloodline to descendants — "burying to ride living qi" brings prosperity to future generations.
葬法 Burial Method zàng fǎ
安葬的具体方法,有深葬、浅葬、浮葬之分。杨公(杨筠松)创立"十二倒杖"法,依龙穴形态选择不同的安葬方式。
Specific burial techniques: deep burial, shallow burial, and floating burial. Yang Gong (Yang Yunsong) established the "Twelve Inverted Staff" methods, selecting different burial approaches based on dragon-acupoint configurations.
金井 Golden Well (Jin Jing) jīn jǐng
墓穴中放置棺椁的中心坑穴。金井的深浅、大小、位置直接关系到是否"得穴"、是否乘到生气。
The central pit within the tomb where the coffin is placed. The depth, size, and position of the Golden Well directly determine whether the acupoint is properly attained and whether living qi is successfully harnessed.
墓碑 Tombstone (Mu Bei) mù bēi
墓前立碑,碑向即为墓穴朝向。碑文刻有先人名讳与立碑年月。墓碑材质、尺寸、朝向均有风水讲究。
The stone tablet erected before the grave; its facing direction determines the tomb's orientation. Inscriptions record the ancestor's name and the date of erection. Material, dimensions, and direction all carry Feng Shui significance.
拜堂 Worship Platform (Bai Tang) bài táng
墓前供祭祀行礼用的平台,相当于阳宅的明堂。宜平整开阔,能容人行礼。
The platform before the grave used for worship ceremonies — equivalent to the Bright Hall of a Yang dwelling. Should be flat, open, and able to accommodate worshippers.
分金 Gold Division (Fen Jin) fēn jīn
在二十四山基础上进一步细分坐向的精度(每山再分五份),以达到更精确的吉凶判断。阴宅定向尤为注重分金。
Further subdividing the Twenty-Four Mountains (each Mountain into five parts) for more precise fortune analysis. Yin dwelling orientation particularly emphasizes Gold Division.
扦穴 Pinning the Acupoint qiān xué
在龙脉结穴之处,精确确定穴位和坐向的功夫。需综合龙、砂、水、向四者关系,是形势派最高深的技术。
The skill of precisely determining the acupoint and orientation where the dragon vein coalesces. Requires synthesizing dragon, sand, water, and direction — the most advanced technique of the Form School.
催官 / 催财 Promoting Rank / Promoting Wealth cuī guān / cuī cái
通过调整或选择风水格局,催旺特定方面运势。如选旺官星到坐之穴以催官,选旺财星到向之地以催财。
Adjusting or selecting Feng Shui configurations to boost specific aspects of fortune. E.g., choosing a site where the Prosperous Officer Star arrives at the sitting to promote career rank, or the Prosperous Wealth Star arrives at the facing to boost wealth.