This leads me to speak of “Fung Shuy.” Though the literal meaning of
“Fung Shuy” is “wind and water,” this does not give any idea of the
thing.
The Chinese regard the south as the source of good influence, inasmuch
as vegetable life, with all the genial influences of spring and
summer, are from that region. The north, they perceive, is the source
of death to the vegetable kingdom. As animals partake of the diverse
influences proceeding from these two opposite regions, they infer
that men are susceptible to the same. They suppose, therefore, that
there is a vital influence moving all the time from south to north.
This may be obstructed. To secure its full effect, they prefer to have
their dwellings front south; for they hold that from the north evil
influences are constantly proceeding. Even the dead, they believe, are
susceptible to these adverse influences. If graves are placed so as to
meet good influences, it is called good Fung Shuy. It is a subject of
great study to ascertain the influences which promote good Fung Shuy
and hinder the bad. Anything, as a hill, rock, trees, standing due
north and not very remote, especially if the region toward the south is
unobstructed, and particularly if water is in that direction, is good
Fung Shuy. There are men who may be called professors of Fung Shuy, who
are experts in the science. The woman in Amoy thought that the bowlder
near her house was good Fung Shuy. The term may be defined, the science
of positions favoring good, and shielding from bad, influences. This is
related to the extensive subject of ancestral worship, which would lead
me too far from my narrative.