Ba Zhai Feng Shui (八宅法) — Eight Mansions
Ba Zhai (Eight Mansions) is the most accessible and widely used Feng Shui system. It is a person-centered approach that divides any property into eight sectors based on the property's sitting direction and assigns auspicious/inauspicious zones based on the occupant's personal Gua number (卦數).
Personal Gua Number Calculation
The Gua Number is derived from the birth year:
- For males: Sum the last two digits of the birth year, reduce to a single digit, then subtract from 11 (for 2000+ births, subtract from 9).
- For females: Sum the last two digits of the birth year, reduce to a single digit, then add 4 (for 2000+ births, add 9).
East Group and West Group
All eight Gua numbers fall into one of two groups:
- East Group (東四命): Gua 1 (Kan), Gua 3 (Zhen), Gua 4 (Xun), Gua 9 (Li). Favorable directions: North, South, East, Southeast.
- West Group (西四命): Gua 2 (Kun), Gua 6 (Qian), Gua 7 (Dui), Gua 8 (Gen). Favorable directions: West, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast.
The Eight Life Aspirations (八宅方位)
- Sheng Qi (生氣) — Vitality: Best position. Wealth, vitality, new opportunities.
- Yan Nian (延年) — Longevity: Health, relationships, harmony, marriage.
- Tian Yi (天醫) — Heavenly Doctor: Health recovery, helpful people, mentors.
- Fu Wei (伏位) — Stability: Peace, consistency, conservative stability.
- Huo Hai (禍害) — Mishaps: Minor misfortunes, accidents, arguments.
- Jue Ming (絕命) — Life Endings: Most inauspicious. Health disasters, major losses.
- Liu Sha (六煞) — Six Killings: Legal problems, sexual misconduct, financial scandals.
- Wu Gui (五鬼) — Five Ghosts: Betrayal, theft, fire hazards, mental issues.
Application
Ideally, the bedroom, home office desk, and stove should align with the occupant's three auspicious directions (Sheng Qi, Yan Nian, Tian Yi). The main entrance should face one of the auspicious directions. Bathrooms and storage should be placed in inauspicious sectors to suppress negative energy.