The Culture of Fengshui in Korea


Book Description

The term Fengshui, which literally means 'wind and water, ' is the ancient Chinese art of selecting an auspicious site to provide the most harmonious relationship between human and earth. The term is generally translated as "geomancy," and has had a deep and extensive impact on Korean, Chinese, and other East Asian cultures. Hong-key Yoon's book explores the nature of geomantic principles and the culture of practicing them in Korean cultural contexts. Yoon first examines the nature and historical background of geomancy, geomantic principles for auspicious sites (houses, graves, and cities) and provides an interpretation of geomantic principles as practiced in Korea. Yoon looks at geomancy's influence on cartography, religion and philosophy, and urban development in both Korea and China. Finally, Yoon debates the role of geomancy in the iconographical warfare between Japanese colonialism and Korean nationalism as it affected the cultural landscape of Kyongbok Palace in Seoul.




Feng Shui in Korea


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P'ungsu


Book Description

This book is a milestone in the history of academic research on the development and role of geomancy (fengshui in Chinese and p'ungsu in Korean) in Korean culture and society. As the first interdisciplinary work of its kind, it investigates many topics in geomancy studies that have never been previously explored, and contains contributions from a number of disciplines including geography, historical studies, environmental science, architecture, landscape architecture, religious studies, and psychoanalysis. While almost all books in English about geomancy are addressed to general readers as practical guides for divining auspicious locations, P'ungsu is a work of rigorous scholarship that documents, analyzes, and explains past and current practices of geomancy. Its readers will better understand the impact of geomancy on the Korean cultural landscape and appreciate the significant ecological principles embedded in the geomantic traditions of Korea; while researchers will discover new insights and inspirations for future research on geomancy not only in Korea, but in China and elsewhere.







Coping with the Future


Book Description

Coping with the Future: Theories and Practices of Divination in East Asia offers insights into various techniques of divination, their evolution, and their assessment. The contributions cover the period from the earliest documents on East Asian mantic arts to their appearance in the present time. The volume reflects the pervasive manifestations of divination in literature, religious and political life, and their relevance for society and individuals. Special emphasis is placed on cross-cultural influences and attempts to find theoretical foundations for divinatory practices. This edited volume is an initiative to study the phenomena of divination across East Asian cultures and beyond. It is also one of the first attempts to theorize divinatory practices through East Asian traditions.




Feng Shui: Seeing Is Believing


Book Description

Explains the fundamentals of feng shui with instructions, diagrams, and photographs, revealing how simple changes to the home can improve romance, health, and prosperity.




Let's Fengshui


Book Description

Nowadays, Fengshui is everywhere. It is recognised, not just in the East, where traditional Fengshui theories were developed, but in the Western World as well, as a practical subject of architecture to harmonize people with the environment. This book aims to provide simple instructions to practice Fengshui, for those without previously acquired knowledge of Fengshui theories. Let's Fengshui aims to help you apply authentic Fengshui skills to your own home, by simply using a smartphone and a free App. Unlike superficial topics so often featured in the mainstream, such as where to place mirrors, what colour walls should be painted, or what kinds of plants should be potted, this book will instead try to simplify more fundamental core concepts of authentic Chinese Fengshui subjects like Structural (形氣), and Directional (理氣) Fengshui analysis, as well as Qi (氣感) analysis, all of which are based on the fundamentals of Chinese Philosophy of Yingyang(陰陽) and the Five Elements (陰陽五行). Most importantly, this book will focus on teaching you how to apply Xuankong(玄空) and Ziweidoushu (紫微斗數) Fengshui, which are often recognised as the most state-of-the-art Fengshui skills by simply using your mobile phone and Google Maps. Through this book, you will come to understand the fundamentals of Authentic Chinese Fengshui, including the utmost important concept that '氣乘風則散, 氣界水則止' (Qi Energy rides the winds and scatters, but is retained when encounters water), and will acquire the knowledge to be able to determine which Fengshui consultant that best fits your needs as a consumer, from the expansive range of Fengshui service providers out in the world today. This journey will enlighten you and unleash your inner Fengshuier. The Author, Seon Ko is renowned as a Fengshui Expert in Korea and Australia. He was born in South Korea, studied in Korea, China, and the UK. He started his Fengshui studies in 1989 and has provided Fengshui & BAZI consulting services for more than 20 years. He has published many books on BAZI, Ziweidoushu and Fengshui.







Hanok: The Korean House


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Hanok: The Korean House


Book Description

Appreciate the understated glamour and traditional comfort in this collection of the most excellent examples of timeless Korean architecture. Hanok: The Korean House provides new insights on the stylish traditional Korean homes that are experiencing a resurgence of popularity in Seoul today. While the exteriors of these houses are indistinguishable from traditional hanok built decades ago, the insides have entirely changed and adapted with the times. Korea is a nation that has radically transformed itself in recent decades, yet amidst the glass-and-steel skyscrapers and luxury apartments, the Korean design of the hanok still survives and plays a surprisingly important role. This book showcases 12 very special hanok that have been selected to reflect the Korea of today. The original hanok design has not changed. Traditional craftsman-made materials of stone, wood, and clay are still the only components used in these houses. They also incorporate natural elements such as wind and sunlight, and baesanimsu (better known in its Chinese form as feng shui) is used to position the hanok in harmony with the natural forces and geographical features of the site. Each hanok has a unique story to tell, and this book studies the personality of each house from the point of view of its owners, many of whom are talented devotees of Korean architecture themselves. Each of the Korean homes in Hanok: The Korean House was thoughtfully researched and photographed with the intention of giving the reader a feel for a culture reconciling its modern tendencies with its traditional roots.