There are 64 directions on a lo pan - each of which relates to a specific hexagram in the I Ching. Here are several models of lo pans:
The basic 8 directions and their characteristic energies are described in the bagua - an octagonal diagram, as shown below:
- where North represents the entrance to your house, your work cubicle, office building, or garden.
An informative article on the characteristics of the directions that I've enjoyed can be found at:
http://www.astralaspects.biz/shopscr648.html
I have abstracted some excellent commentary from the above URL for your convenience.
If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to email me at:
MagisterArch@gmail.com
IDENTIFYING THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF YOUR HOME
| SOUTH-EAST CORNER | SOUTH CORNER | SOUTH-WEST CORNER |
| EAST CORNER | CENTRE | WEST CORNER |
| NORTH-EAST CORNER | NORTH CORNER | NORTH-WEST CORNER |
Firstly you need to make a nine square grid of the Pa Kua - known as the Lo Shu square (above). The ninth (additional) square represents the centre of your home. The squares should all be the same size.
Measure the overall size of your house and draw a plan, then from the centre of your home determine North using a good compass.
Finally, overlay the plan of your house with the Lo Shu square, ensuring that the North sector in the Lo Shu corresponds with the North area of your home. You will be able to see in which direction each room falls - some rooms will share compass directions. You will also be able to see if there are any missing or protruding corners. A bay window represents a protruding corner whilst an L-shaped house or room will have a missing corner and therefore direction. A missing corner detracts from the luck of the corner that is missing, while a protruding corner strengthens the luck of that corner.
Elements
There are five elements in Feng Shui - Wood, Water, Fire, Earth and Metal. Each element belongs to a compass direction and can be used to enrich particular areas of your life. An easy way of applying element therapy on your home is by using the correct colours and combinations of colours for the different corners and rooms. Energising the luck of the corner can also be achieved by placing objects that symbolise the correct elements.
Below we discuss the 8 compass points in the Pa Kua so you may learn more about those areas of your life, and how you can enhance and enrich them.
THE SOUTH ~ FAME AND REPUTATION
The South is symbolised by the Red Phoenix and it represents luck, the summer, fame and fortune, happiness, light, joy and hope. The ch'i that comes from the South is known as yang ch'i = vigorous ch'i. Vigorous ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into accelerating sha - which causes you to feel exhausted. The South's colour is red and its element is Fire.
Applying Element Therapy in your South sector
Red is the colour of the South so you should consider this colour in your furnishings in this area. However red is not the only colour - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. Green/Red combination is excellent in the South, yet Red/Blue and Red/Black are very bad combinations in the South.
Energising the luck of the South
Fire is the element of the South - so red candles, a fireplace, the oven/hob are all good energisers. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Wood is good for Fire - so a wooden surround to your fireplace, or wooden candlesticks for your red candles can also be used in the South. In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Earth exhausts Fire so never use anything that represents Earth (such as ceramic pots) in this area.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the South - remember the correct colours!
» Pictures or ornaments of a Phoenix
» Bamboo wind chimes with 7 hollow rods
» Wooden garden furniture
» Wooden or paper lanterns, lights and red candles
» Hang a faceted crystal from the window to refract the light
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
THE SOUTH-WEST ~ MARRIAGE AND ROMANTIC HAPPINESS
The South-West combines the vigorous ch'i of the South with the changeable ch'i of the West, producing soothing ch'i. Soothing ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into disruptive sha - causing you to feel angry. The South-West's colour is pink or green and its element is Wood.
Applying Element Therapy in your South-West sector
Pink is the primary colour of the South-West so you should consider this colour for furnishings in this area. However pink is not the only colour - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. Green/Pink combination is good in the South-West, while Green/Blue are excellent in this direction. Yet Green/metallic colours are very bad in the South-West and Red can lead to arguments with loved ones.
Energising the luck of the South-West
Earth is the element of the South-West - so pink ceramic pots and ornaments are particularly good energisers in this direction. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Fire is good for Earth - so a pair of pink candles are especially good in the South-West. In fact, symbolic pairs of anything will enhance your romance! In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Metal exhausts Earth so never keep any appliances, your TV, stereo or computer in this area. You should not have a TV in your bedroom. I know this sounds harsh, but if you insist, please cover it with a throw at night.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the South-West - remember the optimal colours!
» Ceramic wind chimes with 2 hollow rods
» Pairs of statues and ornaments - such as lovebirds, Mandarin Ducks, hearts, couples
» Ceramic candlesticks with pink candles - in pairs!
» Ceramic, stone or terracotta pots, ornaments and statues
» Love & Happiness Healing Crystals
» In the garden: Peonies, Gardenias, Begonias or Hibiscus - pink, not red!
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
THE WEST ~ CREATIVITY AND CHILDREN
The West is symbolised by the White Tiger. The West is an area of unpredictability, even danger. It contains warfare and strength, the autumn, anger, suddenness and potential violence. The ch'i that comes from the West is known as shan ch'i = changeable ch'i. Changeable ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into dangerous sha - causing you to act rashly. The West's colour is white and its element is Metal.
Applying Element Therapy in your West sector
White is the colour of the West so you should consider white in your furnishings in this area. However white is not the only colour - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. Yellow/ Metallic combination is excellent in the West. Yet Red/Metallic combinations are very bad in the West.
Energising the luck of the West
Metal is the element of the West - so metal appliances, televisions, stereos and computers are good in this area. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Earth is good for Metal - so ceramic pots can also be used in the West. In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Water exhausts Metal so never place fountains, bird baths or fish tanks in this area.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the West
» Metal wind chimes with 7 hollow rods
» Bells, windchimes, metal horseshoes, Chinese coins
» Metal or terracotta round or square plant pots and ornaments
» Any type of equipment
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
THE NORTH-WEST ~ NETWORKING AND HELPFUL PEOPLE
The North-West combines the nurturing ch'i of the North with the changeable ch'i of the West, producing expansive ch'i. Expansive ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into unpredictable sha - causing you to feel unsettled. North-West's colour is white and its element is Metal.
Applying Element Therapy in your North-West sector
White is the colour of the North-West so you should consider white in your furnishings in this area. However white is not the only colour - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. Yellow/ Metallic combination is excellent in the North-West. Yet Red/Metallic combinations are very bad in the North-West.
Energising the luck of the North-West
Metal is the element of the North-West - so metal appliances, televisions, stereos and computers are good in this area. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Earth is good for Metal - ceramics and terracotta in the right colours can also be used in the North-West. In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Water exhausts Metal so never place fountains, bird baths or fish tanks in this area.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the North-West - remember the correct colours!
» Metal or ceramic wind chimes with 6 hollow rods
» Bells/wind chimes
» Kuan Yin figurines
» Metal or stone orbs
» Metallic equipment of any kind
» Metal or stone bird tables, statues and ornaments
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
THE NORTH ~ CAREER
The North is symbolised by the Black Tortoise (it can be a turtle) and represents the hidden, the mysterious, winter, sleep, ritual, nurture and caring. The ch'i that comes from the North is known as ts'ang ch'i = nurturing ch'i. Nurturing ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into lingering sha - causing you to feel lethargic. The North's colour is black and its element is Water.
Applying Element Therapy in your North sector
Black is the colour of the North so you should consider furnishings in this colour here. However black is not the only colour - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. A Black/Blue combination is good in the North, while Metallic/Blue is excellent in this direction. Yet Yellow/Blue combinations are very bad in the North and Red/Black and Red/Blue combinations aren't that good either.
Energising the luck of the North
Water is the element of the North - so fountains, ponds and fish tanks are particularly good energisers in this direction. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Metal is good for Water - so a fountains made of metal is very auspicious in the North. In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Wood exhausts Water so never use anything that represents Wood (such as pot plants) in this area.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the North
» Metal wind chimes with 6 hollow rods
» Round metal bowls of the correct colour filled with water or lotus plants - but definitely not if your bedroom is in the North sector
» Round metal plant pots - check the colours!
» Dragon Headed Turtle ornament (Lo Shu) - but not in a bedroom
» Turtles, tortoises - real or ornaments; fountains and bird-baths
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
THE NORTH-EAST ~ EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE
The North-East combines the nurturing ch'i of the North with the growing ch'i of the East to produce flourishing ch'i. Flourishing ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into stagnating cha - causing you to feel ill. The North-East's colour Beige/Ochre and its element is Earth.
Applying Element Therapy in your North-East sector
Beige and ochre are the colours of the North-East so you should consider these for furnishings in this area. However these are not the only colours - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. Red/Yellow combination is excellent in the North-East, while Green/Yellow combinations are very bad in the North-East.
Energising the luck of the North-East
Earth is the element of the North-East - so ceramic pots and ornaments are particularly good energisers in this direction. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Fire is good for Earth - so table lamps and candles are also beneficial in the North-East. In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Metal exhausts Earth so never keep any appliances, your TV, stereo or computer in this area.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the North-East - remember the best colours though!
» Ceramic wind chimes with 8 hollow rods
» Pieces or ornaments in Quartz or Amethyst
» Ceramic or terracotta plant pots, ornaments, candlesticks and lampshades
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
THE EAST ~ HEALTH AND FAMILY
The East is symbolised by the Dragon and is protective, cultured, spring, kindness and learning. The ch'i that comes from the East is known as sheng ch'i = growing ch'i. Growing ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into overpowering sha - causing you to feel egotistical and vain. The East's colour is green and its element is Wood.
Applying Element Therapy in your East sector
Green is the colour of the East so you should consider green furnishings in this area. However green is not the only colour - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. A Green/Red combination is good in the East, while Green/Blue are excellent in this direction. Yet Green/metallic colours are very bad in the East and Green/ Yellow aren't that good either.
Energising the luck of the East
Wood is the element of the East - so green-leaved pot plants are particularly good energisers in this direction. Pots of herbs are particularly useful in energising the health and well-being of you and your loved ones. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Water is good for Wood - so fountains can also be used in the East. In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Fire exhausts Wood so never use anything that represents Fire (such as candles, table lamps) in this area.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the East
» Bamboo wind chimes with 3 hollow rods
» Herbs; bamboo plants
» Dragon ornaments
» Good Health & Well-Being Healing Crystals
» Round-leaved plants - especially if your living room is in the East
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
THE SOUTH-EAST ~ WEALTH AND PROSPERITY
The South-East combines the vigorous ch'i of the South with the growing ch'i of the East, producing its own unique creativ ch'i. Creative ch'i, if allowed to stagnate, degenerates into provoking sha - causing you to feel irritable and headachey. The South-East's colour is Green and its element is Wood.
Applying Element Therapy in your South-East sector
Green is the colour of the South-East so you should consider green furnishings in this area. However green is not the only colour - as there are both auspicious and inauspicious colour combinations. A Green/Red combination is good in the South-East, while Green/Blue are excellent in this direction. Yet Green/metallic colours are very bad in the South-East and Green/Yellow aren't that good either.
Energising the luck of the South-East
Wood is the element of the South-East - so green-leaved pot plants are particularly good energisers in this direction. In the Productive Cycle of elements, Water is good for Wood - so fountains can also be used in the South-East. In the Destructive Cycle of elements, Fire exhausts Wood so never use anything that represents Fire (such as candles, table lamps) in this area.
Additional ways to energise the luck of the South-East - remember the correct colours!
» Bamboo wind chimes with 4 hollow rods, wooden 'Wind Spirals'
» Bamboo and round-leaved plants
» Hang faceted crystals in the windows
» Wealth & Prosperity Healing Crystals
» Pieces or ornaments in Citrine
» Dragon Headed Turtle ornament (Lo Shu) - but not in a bedroom
» Money Frog/Toad ornament (Chan Chu) - but not in a bedroom
» Wooden bowls filled with water, birds baths and fountains - but not in a bedroom
» Metal horseshoes, Chinese coins
Take a look at our Feng Shui Cures & Enhancements
- Curtis B Wayne, Architect
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