San He (三合) Feng Shui is one of the oldest and most respected schools of geomancy, with roots stretching back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). Its name refers to the "Three Harmonies" — the triadic groupings of the twelve Earthly Branches that form the Water Frame cycles. But the school's identity encompasses the full spectrum of 龙 (Lóng / Dragon) , 穴 (Xué / Lair) , 砂 (Shā / Sand) , 水 (Shuǐ / Water) , and 向 (Xiàng / Facing) — the five classical factors of Feng Shui assessment.
San He Feng Shui (三合风水 - Sān Hé Fēng Shuǐ)
The Art of the Three Harmonies: Synchronizing Mountain, Water, and Qi
🏛️ Historical Origins & Lineage
San He Pai (三合派) is also called the 江西派 (Jiāngxī Pài / Jiangxi School) or 形势派 (Xíngshì Pài / Form and Configuration School) . Its acknowledged founder is 杨筠松 (Yáng Yúnsōng) , reverently called 杨公 (Yáng Gōng / Master Yang) or 杨救贫 (Yáng Jiùpín / "Yang Who Saves the Poor") . Born c. 834 CE, Yang served as a senior court advisor in Tang Dynasty Chang'an and was custodian of the imperial library's geographical texts.
When the Huang Chao Rebellion (黄巢之乱) sacked Chang'an in 880 CE, Yang fled south carrying secret palace texts on Feng Shui — including works attributed to 郭璞 (Guō Pú, 276–324 CE), author of the Zang Shu (葬书 / Burial Classic). He settled in 三僚村 (Sānliáo Cūn / Three Hut Village) of Xinguo County, Jiangxi Province — which remains the spiritual heartland of San He to this day.
Key Lineage Figures
杨筠松 Yáng Yúnsōng
Tang Dynasty (c. 834 CE) — The founding patriarch. Synthesized court knowledge with direct observation of Jiangxi's dramatic mountain and river terrain. Authored the Han Long Jing (撼龙经) and Yi Long Jing (疑龙经).
曾文迪 Zēng Wéndí
Tang Dynasty — Yang's most prominent direct disciple. Standardized the San He Luopan ring system. His descendants in Sanliao village maintained the tradition for centuries.
赖布衣 Lài Bùyī
Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) — Added the 天盘 (Tiān Pán / Heaven Plate) with its 7.5° offset for water measurement. Authored the Cui Guan Pian (催官篇 / "Hastening Official Advancement").
Core Principle: "形势为体, 理气为用" (Xíngshì wéi tǐ, lǐqì wéi yòng) — "Landform is the substance; compass formulas are the function." If the landform is excellent but compass readings are slightly off, the site can still be good. If the compass readings are perfect but the landform is terrible — no dragon, no sand, no Míng Táng — the site is worthless.
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Module 1: Three Harmonies Theory (三合理论 Sān Hé Lǐ Lùn)
The term 三合 (Sān Hé / Three Harmonies) refers to the triadic groupings of the twelve Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) based on the Five Element affinities created by the 12 Growth Stage cycle. There are four groups of three branches, each forming a 水局 (Shuǐjú / Water Frame) . Each triad represents the life cycle of its element — where the element is born (长生 Cháng Shēng), where it peaks (帝旺 Dì Wàng), and where it is stored (墓库 Mù Kù).
The Four Water Frames (四大水局 Sì Dà Shuǐ Jú)
| Water Frame (水局) | Element | Birth (长生) | Prosperity (帝旺) | Tomb (墓库) | Triangle on Compass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 水局 Water Frame | 水 (Water) | 申 Shēn (SW) | 子 Zǐ (N) | 辰 Chén (SE) | 申–子–辰 △ |
| 木局 Wood Frame | 木 (Wood) | 亥 Hài (NW) | 卯 Mǎo (E) | 未 Wèi (SW) | 亥–卯–未 △ |
| 火局 Fire Frame | 火 (Fire) | 寅 Yín (NE) | 午 Wǔ (S) | 戌 Xū (NW) | 寅–午–戌 △ |
| 金局 Metal Frame | 金 (Metal) | 巳 Sì (SE) | 酉 Yǒu (W) | 丑 Chǒu (NE) | 巳–酉–丑 △ |
Geometric Harmony: When plotted on the 24-Mountain compass, each Shēn–Zǐ–Chén / Hài–Mǎo–Wèi / Yín–Wǔ–Xū / Sì–Yǒu–Chǒu triangle forms a perfect equilateral triangle — the geometric "harmony" that gives the school its name. This is the structural backbone of all San He calculations.
The Water Mouth (水口 Shuǐkǒu): The Single Most Critical Measurement
The Water Mouth (水口 Shuǐkǒu) is the point where water visibly exits the site — either flowing away over the landscape or disappearing around a bend. It is measured from the center of the site using the Tian Pan (天盘) . The Water Mouth direction determines which Water Frame governs the entire site.
| Water Mouth Direction (天盘) | Governing Water Frame | Element | Logic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 辰 Chén, 巽 Xùn, or 巳 Sì | 木局 Wood Frame | 木 Wood | Wood's Tomb is at 未 Wèi; exits through SE |
| 未 Wèi, 坤 Kūn, or 申 Shēn | 火局 Fire Frame | 火 Fire | Fire's Tomb is at 戌 Xū; exits through SW |
| 戌 Xū, 乾 Qián, or 亥 Hài | 金局 Metal Frame | 金 Metal | Metal's Tomb is at 丑 Chǒu; exits through NW |
| 丑 Chǒu, 艮 Gèn, or 寅 Yín | 水局 Water Frame | 水 Water | Water's Tomb is at 辰 Chén; exits through NE |
The logic: Water exits at the 墓 (Mù / Tomb) position of its Water Frame — where the element's Qi is stored and contained. The tomb acts as a natural collection point. Once the Water Frame is established, the practitioner knows the entire life-cycle map of Qi around the compass — which directions bring vitality and which bring decline.
Module 2: The 12 Growth Stages (十二长生 Shí'èr Cháng Shēng)
The Twelve Growth Stages describe the complete life cycle of Qi — from conception through birth, maturity, decline, death, and rebirth. They are the engine that drives all San He water and dragon analysis. Starting from the Chang Sheng (长生) position of a given Water Frame, these 12 stages are plotted consecutively around the 24 mountains (each stage occupying two mountains, since 24 ÷ 12 = 2 mountains per stage).
Complete Twelve Growth Stages Reference Table
| # | Stage | Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Qi Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 长生 | 長生 | Cháng Shēng | Long Life / Birth | 🟢 Qi is born — vitality, growth begins |
| 2 | 沐浴 | 沐浴 | Mù Yù | Bathing | 🟡 Vulnerable infancy — unstable, "Peach Blossom" |
| 3 | 冠带 | 冠帶 | Guān Dài | Capping & Girding | 🟢 Coming of age — scholarly advancement |
| 4 | 临官 | 臨官 | Lín Guān | Approaching Office | 🟢 Career rise — vigorous, approaching fullness |
| 5 | 帝旺 | 帝旺 | Dì Wàng | Emperor's Prosperity | 🟢🟢 Peak power — maximum wealth and influence |
| 6 | 衰 | 衰 | Shuāi | Decline | 🟡 Beginning decline — still functional |
| 7 | 病 | 病 | Bìng | Illness | 🔴 Weakening — sickness, medical expenses |
| 8 | 死 | 死 | Sǐ | Death | 🔴 Qi dies — premature death, ending of lines |
| 9 | 墓 | 墓 | Mù | Tomb / Burial | ⚪ Qi enters storage — collection point (Water Mouth) |
| 10 | 绝 | 絕 | Jué | Extinction / Severance | 🔴🔴 Qi cut off — family line severed, total ruin |
| 11 | 胎 | 胎 | Tāi | Embryo / Conception | ⚪ New embryo forming — Qi regenerating |
| 12 | 养 | 養 | Yǎng | Nourishment / Gestation | ⚪ Nourishing for rebirth — quiet preparation |
Example: Water Frame (水局) Mapped to the 12 Branches
Starting from 申 (Shēn), plotting clockwise around the compass:
| Stage | Branch Position | Qi Meaning for Water Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 长生 Cháng Shēng | 申 Shēn | Water is born |
| 沐浴 Mù Yù | 酉 Yǒu | Vulnerable, unstable |
| 冠带 Guān Dài | 戌 Xū | Growing stronger |
| 临官 Lín Guān | 亥 Hài | Vigorous, approaching fullness |
| 帝旺 Dì Wàng | 子 Zǐ | Water at peak power |
| 衰 Shuāi | 丑 Chǒu | Beginning decline |
| 病 Bìng | 寅 Yín | Weakening |
| 死 Sǐ | 卯 Mǎo | Qi dies |
| 墓 Mù | 辰 Chén | Qi enters the tomb/vault |
| 绝 Jué | 巳 Sì | Qi is cut off |
| 胎 Tāi | 午 Wǔ | New embryo forming |
| 养 Yǎng | 未 Wèi | Nourishing for rebirth |
The same logic applies for Wood Frame (starting at 亥 Hài), Fire Frame (starting at 寅 Yín), and Metal Frame (starting at 巳 Sì).
Module 3: The San He Luopan (三合罗盘 Sān Hé Luó Pán)
The San He Luopan is one of the most complex instruments in Chinese metaphysics. While a basic compass has one ring of 24 directions, a full San He Luopan may contain 36 or more concentric rings . The three defining plates are the structural backbone — each offset by exactly 7.5° from the next.
The Three-Plate System (三盘 Sān Pán)
| Plate | Chinese Name | Needle Type | Offset from Di Pan | Used For | Attributed To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 地盘 Earth Plate | Dì Pán | 正针 Zhèng Zhēn (True Needle) | 0° (reference) | Sitting/Facing direction (坐向), Incoming Dragon (来龙) | 杨筠松 Yáng Yúnsōng |
| 天盘 Heaven Plate | Tiān Pán | 缝针 Féng Zhēn (Seam Needle) | +7.5° clockwise | Water flow & Water Mouth (水口) — all water calculations | 赖布衣 Lài Bùyī |
| 人盘 Human Plate | Rén Pán | 中针 Zhōng Zhēn (Center Needle) | −7.5° counter-clockwise | Surrounding mountains & landforms (砂 Shā) — peaks, ridges | 杨筠松 (refined later) |
Why the 7.5° offset? The name 缝针 (Féng Zhēn / "Seam Needle") tells the story: the Tian Pan reads from the "seams" between the Earth Plate's mountains. The 7.5° offset places each Tian Pan boundary at the midpoint of a Di Pan mountain sector (15° ÷ 2 = 7.5°). The traditional explanation is that water, being dynamic and flowing, resonates with 天气 (Tiān Qì / Heavenly Qi) which flows slightly ahead of the Earth's magnetic field. A more pragmatic interpretation notes this offset corrects for the difference between magnetic north and astronomical/polar north.
Key Inner Rings
七十二龙 72 Dragons
Qīshí'èr Lóng — Located inside the Earth Plate, this ring divides the compass into 72 sectors of 5° each . Each sector is assigned a Stem-Branch combination with a 纳音 (Nà Yīn) element. Used for precisely measuring the incoming dragon — a coarse 24-mountain reading is insufficient for serious dragon analysis. Reveals whether the dragon is 正 (Zhèng / True) or falls on a dangerous 空亡 (Kōng Wáng / Void) line.
透地六十龙 60 Penetrating Earth Dragons
Tòudì Liùshí Lóng — This ring divides the compass into 60 sectors and is used for assessing the underground Qi flow at the dragon lair point. It "penetrates" beneath the surface to read the quality of subsurface energy — essential for burial site (阴宅) selection.
一百二十金 120 Gold Divisions
Yībǎi Èrshí Fēn Jīn — Each of the 24 mountains is subdivided into 5 divisions of 3° each , but only 2 of the 5 are usable (the middle three include dangerous Void and Error lines). Provides the finest calibration for setting the exact sitting and facing of a grave or building.
The 24 Mountains (二十四山 Èrshísì Shān)
The 24 Mountains divide the compass into 24 sectors of 15° each, composed of three interlocking systems: 8 Trigrams, 12 Earthly Branches, and 8 Heavenly Stems. Arranged clockwise from North:
壬(Rén) – 子(Zǐ) – 癸(Guǐ) – 丑(Chǒu) – 艮(Gèn) – 寅(Yín) – 甲(Jiǎ) – 卯(Mǎo) – 乙(Yǐ) – 辰(Chén) – 巽(Xùn) – 巳(Sì) – 丙(Bǐng) – 午(Wǔ) – 丁(Dīng) – 未(Wèi) – 坤(Kūn) – 申(Shēn) – 庚(Gēng) – 酉(Yǒu) – 辛(Xīn) – 戌(Xū) – 乾(Qián) – 亥(Hài)
Module 4: Dragon Auditing (龙法 Lóng Fǎ)
Going beyond the 24 Mountains into the 72 Dragons (七十二龙) and 120 Fen Jin (分金) Gold Division lines. Mountains are not static landmasses but living conduits of Qi — they are "dragons" (龙 Lóng) that carry energy from distant source mountains to the site. The practitioner traces the 龙脉 (Lóngmài / Dragon Vein) — the ridge line — to understand the Qi arriving at the proposed site.
The Dragon Tracing Process
- 祖山 Zǔ Shān (Ancestor Mountain): Identify the distant, high mountain from which the dragon ridge originates. The higher and more majestic the ancestor, the greater the Qi potential. China's great ancestor mountains trace back to 昆仑山 (Kūnlún Shān / Kunlun Mountains).
- 剥换 Bōhuàn (Shedding Transformations): A powerful dragon changes its peak shapes — from sharp (Fire) to rounded (Metal) to flat (Earth) to pointed (Wood) to undulating (Water). The more transformations, the more refined the Qi becomes.
- 入首 Rùshǒu (Entry Head): The final segment of the dragon ridge immediately before the site — the most critical measurement. Measured on the Di Pan (地盘) using the 72 Dragons ring for maximum precision.
The Five Stars of Landform (五星 Wǔ Xīng)
San He classifies mountain peak shapes according to the Five Elements and the Nine Star (九星 Jiǔ Xīng) system:
| Peak Shape | Element | Star Name | Description | Qualities Bestowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pointed, sharp peak 🔺 | 火 Fire | 廉贞 Lián Zhēn | Flame-like, triangular | Passion, fame — danger if too sharp |
| Rounded, dome peak 🔔 | 金 Metal | 武曲 Wǔ Qū | Bell-shaped, symmetrical | Wealth, authority, military power |
| Flat, plateau peak ▬ | 土 Earth | 巨门 Jù Mén | Table-top, broad | Stability, agriculture, real estate |
| Tall, columnar peak ▮ | 木 Wood | 贪狼 Tān Láng | Pencil-like, straight | Scholarly achievement, nobility |
| Undulating, wavy ridge 〰️ | 水 Water | 文曲 Wén Qū | Snake-like, multiple peaks | Artistic talent, intelligence — also instability |
穴场 Xué Chǎng — The Dragon Lair
The Xue (穴) is the precise point on the landscape where the dragon's Qi concentrates and emerges from the ground. Everything else — dragon tracing, water measurement, sand assessment — exists to locate and validate this one point.
| Xue Type | Chinese | Pinyin | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Lair | 窝穴 | Wō Xué | A concavity or hollow — Qi gathers in the depression |
| Pincer Lair | 钳穴 | Qián Xué | Two arms extend forward, grasping the Qi between them |
| Breast Lair | 乳穴 | Rǔ Xué | A rounded protrusion — Qi concentrates at the nipple point |
| Bulge Lair | 突穴 | Tū Xué | A raised mound on flat ground — Qi pushes up from below |
Signs of a true Xue include: 微突 (Wēi Tū / Subtle Bulge) — a slight mound like a navel; 唇口 (Chún Kǒu / Lip) — a slight shelf where Qi pools; 蝉翼砂 (Chányì Shā / Cicada Wing Sand) — extremely fine, thin ridges flanking the Xue on either side.
明堂 Míng Táng — The Bright Hall
The open area in front of the Xue where Qi collects and settles. San He recognizes three levels:
内明堂 Nèi Míng Táng
Inner Bright Hall — Immediately before the Xue. Should be tight, flat, and intimate — like a small courtyard.
中明堂 Zhōng Míng Táng
Middle Bright Hall — The broader valley or open area. Spacious enough for Qi to circulate but bounded by the Sand Arms.
外明堂 Wài Míng Táng
Outer Bright Hall — The wide landscape beyond — where water courses merge and distant mountains frame the horizon.
砂手 Shā Shǒu — Sand Arms (Protective Landforms)
The 砂 (Shā / Sand) refers to all surrounding hills, ridges, and elevated landforms that protect the Xue:
- 青龙砂 (Qīnglóng Shā / Green Dragon Sand): Ridge on the LEFT side (facing outward). Should be slightly higher and longer than the White Tiger.
- 白虎砂 (Báihǔ Shā / White Tiger Sand): Ridge on the RIGHT side. Should curve inward gently — a White Tiger "raising its head" (昂头 Áng Tóu) signals danger, especially to women.
- 案山 (Àn Shān / Table Mountain): Hill directly in front of the Xue — like a writing desk before a seated official. Should be elegant, not overpowering.
- 朝山 (Cháo Shān / Audience Mountain): Distant mountain directly ahead — represents officials coming to pay respects. A beautiful Chao Shan indicates wealth and respect will flow toward the site.
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Module 5: Water Methods (水法 Shuǐ Fǎ)
Water is considered the most powerful external factor in Feng Shui because it is the visible carrier and conductor of Qi. The San He school's water methods are among the most elaborate and precise in all of Chinese metaphysics. Once the Water Frame is established (via the Water Mouth measurement), the practitioner maps the 12 Growth Stages around the compass and evaluates where water comes from (来水 Lái Shuǐ) and where it goes (去水 Qù Shuǐ).
Favorable vs. Unfavorable Water Positions
| Water Position | Chinese | Rating | Effect When Water Comes FROM This Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Water | 长生水 Cháng Shēng Shuǐ | 🟢 Favorable | Brings vitality, growth, new family lines beginning |
| Capping Water | 冠带水 Guān Dài Shuǐ | 🟢 Favorable | Scholarly advancement, passing examinations, earning rank |
| Approaching Office Water | 临官水 Lín Guān Shuǐ | 🟢🟢 Very Favorable | Career advancement, political power, rising social status |
| Emperor's Prosperity Water | 帝旺水 Dì Wàng Shuǐ | 🟢🟢 Very Favorable | Maximum wealth & influence — but can indicate excess |
| Bathing / Peach Blossom Water | 沐浴水 Mù Yù Shuǐ (桃花水 Táohuā Shuǐ) | 🟡 Dangerous | Sexual scandal, affairs, addictions, moral dissolution |
| Illness Water | 病水 Bìng Shuǐ | 🔴 Unfavorable | Sickness, chronic disease, medical expenses |
| Death Water | 死水 Sǐ Shuǐ | 🔴🔴 Very Bad | Mortality, premature death, ending of family lines |
| Extinction Water | 绝水 Jué Shuǐ | 🔴🔴🔴 Most Feared | Total severance — no descendants, complete ruin |
黄泉煞 Huáng Quán Shā — The Yellow Spring Kill
Huáng Quán Shā (黄泉煞) is the single most dangerous water formation in San He Feng Shui. The name "Yellow Spring" refers to the Chinese underworld — the realm of the dead. When water flows from or toward a Huang Quan direction relative to the site's sitting, it is said to "open the gate to the underworld."
Classical Mnemonic Verse (黄泉煞口诀):
庚丁坤上是黄泉 (Gēng Dīng Kūn shàng shì Huáng Quán)
乙丙须防巽水先 (Yǐ Bǐng xū fáng Xùn shuǐ xiān)
甲癸向中忧见艮 (Jiǎ Guǐ xiàng zhōng yōu jiàn Gèn)
辛壬水路怕当乾 (Xīn Rén shuǐlù pà dāng Qián)
Huang Quan Sha Forbidden Combinations
| Sitting/Facing Direction | Forbidden Water Direction (黄泉) | Mnemonic Line |
|---|---|---|
| 庚 Gēng or 丁 Dīng | 坤 Kūn direction | 庚丁坤上是黄泉 |
| 乙 Yǐ or 丙 Bǐng | 巽 Xùn direction | 乙丙须防巽水先 |
| 甲 Jiǎ or 癸 Guǐ | 艮 Gèn direction | 甲癸向中忧见艮 |
| 辛 Xīn or 壬 Rén | 乾 Qián direction | 辛壬水路怕当乾 |
If the site's sitting or facing falls on one of the Stem directions listed and water is observed flowing from or toward the corresponding Trigram direction, the Huang Quan Sha is activated. Effects include: sudden accidental death, drowning, suicide, family members dying in rapid succession, and legal catastrophes.
八杀黄泉 Bā Shā Huáng Quán — Eight Killings Yellow Spring
A related but distinct formula, the Bā Shā Huáng Quán (八杀黄泉) specifies eight specific mountain-water combinations that are absolutely forbidden. While standard Huang Quan brings gradual destruction, Ba Sha can bring immediate, violent death .
| Mountain (坐山) | Forbidden Water Exit | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 坎 Kǎn (子 Zǐ / North) | 辰 Chén direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
| 離 Lí (午 Wǔ / South) | 戌 Xū direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
| 震 Zhèn (卯 Mǎo / East) | 未 Wèi direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
| 兌 Duì (酉 Yǒu / West) | 丑 Chǒu direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
| 乾 Qián (NW) | 午 Wǔ direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
| 坤 Kūn (SW) | 子 Zǐ direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
| 艮 Gèn (NE) | 酉 Yǒu direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
| 巽 Xùn (SE) | 卯 Mǎo direction | ☠️ Extreme — violent death |
The Ideal Water Configuration
In a perfect San He water arrangement:
- Water enters the site from a favorable Growth Stage direction (长生, 冠带, 临官, 帝旺).
- Water flows past the facing (向 Xiàng) in a gentle, curving manner — never straight or rushing.
- Water collects in a visible 明堂 (Míng Táng / Bright Hall) before the site — a pooling area.
- Water exits through the 墓位 (Mù Wèi / Tomb position) — the correct Water Mouth for the governing Water Frame.
- No water flows from or toward any Huang Quan or Ba Sha direction.
- The water exit point is concealed — not visible from the site's center ( 水应暗去 "water should exit secretly" ).
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Module 6: Practical Application (实际应用 Shíjì Yìngyòng)
阴宅 Yīn Zhái — Burial Site San He Method
Yin Zhai (burial Feng Shui) is the primary and most powerful application of San He methodology. The tradition holds that the bones of ancestors, when placed in a location with concentrated Qi, resonate with descendants through shared blood-Qi connection — called 荫生 (Yìn Shēng / "shade-giving birth") .
- 寻龙 Xún Lóng (Seek the Dragon): Survey the regional landscape. Identify and trace the mountain dragon vein from its ancestor mountain.
- 点穴 Diǎn Xué (Point the Lair): Using landform observation and Five Star analysis, locate the Xue where dragon Qi concentrates.
- 察砂 Chá Shā (Inspect the Sand): Assess surrounding mountains using the Ren Pan (人盘) . Verify Green Dragon, White Tiger, Table Mountain, Audience Mountain.
- 观水 Guān Shuǐ (Observe the Water): Measure all water using the Tian Pan (天盘) . Determine Water Mouth, establish Water Frame, map the 12 Growth Stages.
- 定向 Dìng Xiàng (Fix the Facing): Using the Di Pan (地盘) and 120 Gold Divisions , set the precise sitting and facing.
- 验证 Yànzhèng (Verify): Cross-check all measurements against Huang Quan Sha, Ba Sha, and other prohibitions.
阳宅 Yáng Zhái — Living House San He Method
In urban environments, San He adapts its classical methods:
- Water → Roads: Roads are treated as "virtual water" (虚水 Xū Shuǐ) — moving traffic carries Qi. Where the road curves away = Water Mouth.
- Dragon → Higher ground: Slightly higher ground behind the building serves as the dragon. The road from which the building is accessed can also serve as the incoming dragon.
- Sand → Buildings: Neighboring structures, walls, fences serve as Sand Arms — same Green Dragon (left) and White Tiger (right) principles apply.
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Module 7: Case Studies (案例分析 Àn Lì Fēn Xī)
The following cases demonstrate San He analysis in practice — from legendary historical sites to modern applications. Each shows how the five factors (Dragon, Lair, Sand, Water, Facing) integrate into a complete assessment.
Case 1: Yang Gong's Legendary Tomb for the Li Family (杨公点穴实例)
Background: According to the Records of Xinguo County (兴国县志), Yang Yunsong selected a burial site for a poor farming family surnamed Li (李) during his years in Ganzhou — a family with no history of scholarly or official achievement.
Dragon: Vein descending from the northwest, entering through 乾 (Qián), with multiple transformations (Metal → Wood → Earth star peaks). Entry Head (入首) at 亥 (Hài) on the 72 Dragons ring — a pure Water Frame entry. The Xue was a "Breast Lair" (乳穴) on a gentle south-facing slope.
Water (天盘): Water entered from the 长生 (Cháng Shēng / Birth) position and exited through 辰 (Chén) — the correct Tomb position. Water Frame confirmed as 木局 (Wood Frame) . 长生水来, 墓库水去 — "Birth Water comes, Tomb Water goes."
Facing: Set to 午 (Wǔ / due South) using 120 Gold Division — specifically the 丙午 (Bǐng-Wǔ) line.
Outcome: Within three generations, the Li family produced multiple imperial examination graduates (举人 Jǔrén and 进士 Jìnshì), and one member rose to become a provincial governor. ✓
Source: 杨公风水实录 (Authentic Records of Yang Gong Feng Shui) and Ganzhou local histories.
Case 2: Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum — Imperial Dragon (明孝陵帝王龙穴)
Background: The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵), burial site of Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋), founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, at Zijin Shan (紫金山 / Purple Gold Mountain) in Nanjing. Site selection overseen by the legendary 刘伯温 (Liú Bówēn).
Dragon: Descends from Zijin Shan's main ridge — a massive Earth Star peak (巨门星) indicating imperial wealth and stability. Multiple transformations. Green Dragon side (Meihua Shan 梅花山) and White Tiger side form a perfect embrace.
Water (天盘): Multiple streams converge in the Míng Táng before the mausoleum, exiting west. Water Frame analysis: 火局 (Fire Frame) — Fire represents brightness, visibility, and imperial authority. Water entering from 临官 (Lín Guān / Approaching Office) validated sovereign power.
Outcome: The Ming Dynasty lasted 276 years (1368–1644), one of China's most enduring dynasties. San He practitioners attribute this longevity partly to the founding emperor's burial excellence. ✓
Source: 明孝陵风水考 (Feng Shui Study of Ming Xiaoling) and multiple Chinese analysis texts.
Case 3: Huang Quan Sha — Decline of a Merchant Family (黄泉煞验证案例)
Background: A wealthy merchant family in Jiangxi built an elaborate ancestral tomb in the early Qing period. Within 50 years, they went from provincial wealth to total destitution.
Water (天盘): Water Mouth at 坤 (Kūn) — establishing 火局 (Fire Frame) . The tomb's sitting was 丁 (Dīng). According to the Huang Quan formula: "庚丁坤上是黄泉" — a Dīng sitting with Kūn water is a direct Huang Quan violation .
Compounding Factor: A secondary stream flowed from the 沐浴 (Mù Yù / Bathing) position — "Peach Blossom Water" — and the family suffered multiple scandals involving concubines and gambling before financial ruin.
Outcome: Double violation: Huang Quan Sha (death & catastrophe) + Peach Blossom Water (moral dissolution). Family decline was total and irreversible. A later master recommended relocating the bones, but the family could no longer afford the expense. ✗
Source: 地理辨正疏 (Commentary on Authentic Geography).
Case 4: Modern Business Estate — Hong Kong New Territories (现代阳宅案例)
Background: A 1990s case — a successful Hong Kong businessman commissioned a Sanliao lineage master to select a site for his family estate in the New Territories.
Dragon: Incoming from northeast (艮 Gèn), entering through 丑 (Chǒu) on the 72 Dragons ring. Dragon showed Metal-to-Earth transformations — indicating financial stability. Site on a gentle south-facing slope with hills behind (玄武 Xuánwǔ backing) and sea view.
Water (天盘): Small stream exited southeast through 辰 (Chén) — 木局 (Wood Frame) . Water entering from 帝旺 (Dì Wàng / Emperor's Prosperity) position (壬子 Rén-Zǐ direction) = maximum wealth within Wood Frame. Facing set to 巽 (Xùn) with 120 Gold Division calibration.
Outcome: Property development company expanded significantly in the following decade. Two children entered prestigious universities (冠带水 Guān Dài influence). Family attributes continued prosperity to the estate's Feng Shui. ✓
Source: Contemporary Hong Kong Feng Shui case study compilations.
Case 5: Zhuge Bagua Village — Village Layout & Scholarly Legacy (诸葛八卦村)
Background: Zhuge Village (诸葛村) in Lanxi City (兰溪市), Zhejiang Province — a settlement of descendants of Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮), the legendary Three Kingdoms strategist. Laid out in the Yuan/Ming Dynasty using Feng Shui principles; produced extraordinary numbers of scholars and officials for over 600 years. Now a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage site.
San He Analysis: The village sits in a basin with eight surrounding hills forming a natural Bagua / Eight Trigrams pattern. Dragon arrives from northwest (乾方 Qián Fāng). The Míng Táng is a central pond (钟池 Zhōng Chí / Bell Pool) shaped like a Yin-Yang symbol, collecting water from surrounding streams.
Water Frame: Water Mouth in 巽 (Xùn) direction on Tian Pan → 木局 (Wood Frame) . 长生 (Cháng Shēng) water feeds the central pond; 冠带 (Guān Dài) water supports scholarly achievement. Multiple favorable Growth Stage positions providing simultaneous nourishment.
Outcome: Over 600+ years, the village produced scholars, officials, and literati far exceeding statistical norms for a rural settlement. The Feng Shui layout achieved exactly what the tradition promises: Wood Frame generates growth, 冠带水 generates academic achievement, and the central Míng Táng retains Qi from all eight directions. ✓
Source: 浙江古村落风水研究 (Feng Shui Research on Ancient Villages of Zhejiang).
Case 6: Yin Zhai with Perfect Water Flow — Taiwan Metal Frame (阴宅金局案例)
Background: A Taiwanese San He practitioner documented this case from Miaoli County (苗栗县) in the 1980s. A family requested a burial site for their patriarch with the specific goal of ensuring descendants' prosperity.
San He Analysis (Tian Pan Measurements):
- Water Mouth at 戌 (Xū) → 金局 (Metal Frame) confirmed
- Incoming water from 巳 (Sì) = 长生 (Birth) position for Metal Frame ✓
- Secondary stream from 午 (Wǔ) = 沐浴 (Bathing) — small and fast-moving, harmlessly absorbed into main channel
- Míng Táng water pooling at 酉 (Yǒu) = 帝旺 (Emperor's Prosperity) ✓
- Water exit through 戌 (Xū) = 墓 (Tomb) ✓ — correct exit for Metal Frame
The practitioner confirmed: "长生水来，墓库水去，合局" — "Birth Water comes, Tomb Water goes — the frame is harmonious."
Outcome (30-Year Follow-up): The family produced two doctors, one engineer, and a university professor. Financially prosperous and socially respected in the local community. Follow-up visits confirmed the water patterns remained stable. ✓
Source: 台湾三合风水实例集 (Collection of Taiwan San He Feng Shui Case Studies).
Case 7: Dragon Vein Tracing — Three Dragons, One Winner (福建龙脉比较案例)
Background: A detailed case from a San He master in Fujian Province. The commission: find an auspicious burial site in a mountain range with multiple potential dragon ridges descending from a massive fire-star ancestor mountain (太祖山).
Three Dragons Compared:
- Dragon A (Rejected): Descended steeply with few transformations (剥换少). Qi arrived too raw and aggressive. "急龙无穴" — "A rushing dragon has no lair."
- Dragon B (Rejected): Made multiple turns but the Entry Head (入首) arrived at a 空亡 (Kōng Wáng / Void) position on the 72 Dragons ring — Qi dissipated before reaching the lair point. A fatal flaw despite favorable earlier dragon quality.
- Dragon C (Selected): Descended gradually with five distinct transformations (Fire→Metal→Earth→Wood→Earth). Entry Head through 壬子 (Rén-Zǐ) on the 72 Dragons — a pure, centered position. The Xue presented as a 窝穴 (Wō Xué / Nest Lair) with clear 蝉翼砂 (Chányì Shā / Cicada Wing Sand) on both sides. Water Mouth aligned with 水局 (Water Frame) , water entering from 临官 (Lín Guān) position.
Outcome (15-Year Monitoring): Consistent improvement in family fortunes — business success, children's academic advancement, and family harmony. The master used this as a teaching case: dragon quality trumps all other factors . Even a good water frame cannot compensate for a defective dragon entry. ✓
Source: Personal case file of a Fujian San He lineage master.
Case 8: San He vs. Xuan Kong — Same Site, Different Diagnoses (广东比较案例)
Background: A Guangdong family with persistent health problems and financial difficulties independently invited two masters — one San He, one Xuan Kong — to assess the same property. The case became instructive for understanding the fundamental differences between the two schools.
San He Diagnosis: Water Mouth at 巽 (Xùn) direction on Tian Pan → 木局 (Wood Frame) . House sitting 子 (Zǐ), facing 午 (Wǔ). In Wood Frame, the facing 午 corresponded to the 绝 (Jué / Extinction) position — extremely inauspicious. Diagnosis: "向上绝水" (Extinction water at the facing) — the facing direction drains life force. Prescription: structural change — relocate main entrance.
Xuan Kong Diagnosis: Illness star (二黑 / Star 2) at front door; robbery star (七赤 / Star 7) in master bedroom. Prescription: interior remedies (metal elements, wind chimes) without structural changes.
Key Difference: San He said the problem was fundamental — no interior remedy could fix a facing in the Extinction position. Xuan Kong believed interior cures could mitigate star influences.
Outcome: Family initially tried the Xuan Kong remedies (less expensive). Problems continued. Then followed the San He recommendation: relocated main entrance to face 巽 (Southeast) — shifting effective facing to 冠带 (Guān Dài) position. Health and finances improved within two years. ✓
Source: Guangdong Feng Shui practitioner forum documentation.
Case 9: Urban Apartment — Adapting San He to City Living (台湾都市阳宅)
Background: A Taipei family purchasing a high-rise apartment consulted a San He practitioner. The challenge: Can San He (designed for mountain and river terrain) apply to urban apartments?
Adapted Analysis:
- Dragon: The mountain range visible behind the building to the north = incoming dragon. The building's structural spine (elevator core, load-bearing walls) = dragon's body within the building.
- Water: The main four-lane avenue in front = water course. The point where the road curved away to the right = Water Mouth, measured at 乾 (Qián) on Tian Pan → 金局 (Metal Frame) .
- Facing: Apartment main door opening east (甲 Jiǎ direction) = 临官 (Lín Guān / Approaching Office) position in Metal Frame — an excellent career and authority direction.
- Míng Táng: Balcony facing the avenue = open collection area.
Outcome: Family reported the apartment "felt right" immediately. Husband received a promotion within six months of moving in. The practitioner cautioned that without genuine mountain and water features, effects are moderate compared to a true landform site — but the method remains applicable. ✓
Source: Contemporary Taiwanese San He practitioner case notes.
Case 10: Huang Quan Sha Remediation — Too Late vs. Just in Time (广西黄泉煞化解)
Background: A rural Guangxi family experienced a series of tragedies within five years of completing a new ancestral tomb: the patriarch drowned, the eldest son was injured in a construction accident, and the family business collapsed.
San He Investigation:
- Tomb sitting: 壬 (Rén) direction
- Water Mouth: 乾 (Qián) direction on Tian Pan
- Huang Quan formula: "辛壬水路怕当乾" — Rén sitting with Qián water = Huang Quan. Direct hit.
- Root cause: The original practitioner used only the Di Pan (not the Tian Pan) for water measurement. The 7.5° Tian Pan offset shifted the measurement squarely into the Qián sector — an error that turned a near-miss into a direct violation.
Three-Stage Remediation:
- Immediate: 泰山石敢当 (Mount Tai Stone Talisman) placed between tomb and the Huang Quan water direction as temporary protection.
- Short-term: Drainage channel constructed to redirect offending water from 乾 to 戌 (Xū) — the correct Tomb position for the Metal Frame the dragon analysis supported.
- Long-term: Tomb facing adjusted ~8 degrees (within same mountain sector, shifting Gold Divisions) to break the exact Huang Quan alignment.
Outcome: Accident series stopped after water redirection. Family slowly rebuilt financially over five years. The master emphasized: Huang Quan Sha remediation is never as good as avoidance — the patriarch's death was irreversible. Always use the Tian Pan for water measurements, not the Di Pan.
Source: Guangxi San He practitioner documentation; presented at a regional Feng Shui conference.
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Module 8: San He vs. Other Schools & Classical Texts
Comparison: San He (三合) vs. Xuan Kong / San Yuan (玄空/三元)
| Aspect | San He (三合派) | Xuan Kong / San Yuan (玄空/三元派) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | External environment (dragon, water, sand, lair) | Internal Qi patterns (Flying Stars in building sectors) |
| Compass System | Three plates with 7.5° offsets (Di, Tian, Ren Pan) | Single plate (Di Pan) — no offsets |
| Time Factor | Minimal — landscape is relatively timeless | Central — charts change each 20-year Period (运 Yùn) |
| Water Method | 12 Growth Stages via Water Frame from Water Mouth | Flying Star water formulas (城门诀 Chéngmén Jué) |
| Best Application | Yin Zhai (burial) in mountainous terrain | Yang Zhai (houses) in urban/flat areas |
| Origin | Tang Dynasty — 杨筠松 in Jiangxi | Late Ming/Qing — 蒋大鸿 and lineage |
| Landscape Dependence | Very high — requires real mountains and water | Low — applicable to flat, featureless plots |
| Remediation | Difficult — structural/landscape changes needed | Easier — interior element placements |
Integration Approach: Many modern masters advocate using San He for external site selection and water analysis , then Xuan Kong for fine-tuning internal layout and timing of renovations. San He is fundamentally environmental — reading the landscape as it is. Xuan Kong is fundamentally temporal — calculating changing Qi patterns over time.
Key Classical Texts (经典著作)
| Text | Chinese | Author | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic of Shaking the Dragon | 撼龙经 Hàn Lóng Jīng | 杨筠松 Yáng Yúnsōng | Dragon tracing, Five Stars, dragon transformations |
| Classic of Doubting the Dragon | 疑龙经 Yí Lóng Jīng | 杨筠松 Yáng Yúnsōng | Subtle deceptions in dragon reading — systematic verification |
| Classic of the Heavenly Jade | 天玉经 Tiān Yù Jīng | 杨筠松 (attributed) | 24 mountains, mountain-water relationship |
| Hastening Official Advancement | 催官篇 Cuī Guān Piān | 赖布衣 Lài Bùyī | Water methods for scholarly and political success |
| Five Secrets of Geography | 地理五诀 Dìlǐ Wǔ Jué | 赵九峰 Zhào Jiǔfēng | Practical teaching manual — Dragon, Lair, Sand, Water, Facing |
| What the Geomancer's Son Must Know | 地理人子须知 Dìlǐ Rénzǐ Xū Zhī | 徐善继 & 徐善述 | Encyclopedic reference with extensive case studies |
| Classic of the Azure Bag | 青囊经 Qīng Náng Jīng | 黄石公 Huáng Shí Gōng (attributed) | Foundational philosophy — Heaven, Earth, Human Qi |
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Glossary of Key Terms (术语表)
| Term | Chinese | Pinyin | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| San He | 三合 | Sān Hé | Three Harmonies — the triadic Earthly Branch groupings |
| Yang Gong | 杨公 | Yáng Gōng | Master Yang (Yang Yunsong), founding patriarch |
| Long | 龙 | Lóng | Dragon — mountain ridge carrying Qi |
| Xue | 穴 | Xué | Dragon's Lair — point of Qi concentration |
| Sha | 砂 | Shā | Sand — surrounding protective mountains |
| Shui Kou | 水口 | Shuǐkǒu | Water Mouth — where water exits the site |
| Shui Ju | 水局 | Shuǐjú | Water Frame — the governing element cycle |
| Huang Quan Sha | 黄泉煞 | Huáng Quán Shā | Yellow Spring Kill — deadliest water formation |
| Di Pan | 地盘 | Dì Pán | Earth Plate — standard compass ring (0° reference) |
| Tian Pan | 天盘 | Tiān Pán | Heaven Plate — +7.5° offset for water |
| Ren Pan | 人盘 | Rén Pán | Human Plate — −7.5° offset for mountains |
| Ming Tang | 明堂 | Míng Táng | Bright Hall — open collection area before the site |
| Ru Shou | 入首 | Rùshǒu | Entry Head — the final dragon segment |
| Fen Jin | 分金 | Fēn Jīn | Gold Divisions — fine-calibration compass ring |
| Bo Huan | 剥换 | Bōhuàn | Shedding Transformation — dragon shape changes |
| Yin Zhai | 阴宅 | Yīn Zhái | Burial site (Yin House) |
| Yang Zhai | 阳宅 | Yáng Zhái | Living house (Yang House) |
| An Shan | 案山 | Àn Shān | Table Mountain — hill before the site |
| Chao Shan | 朝山 | Cháo Shān | Audience Mountain — distant frontal peak |
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Harmonize with the Earth's Cycles. San He provides the technical tools to unlock hidden prosperity through the mastery of water and mountain. The tradition stretches from Yang Yunsong's Tang Dynasty genius through centuries of lineage transmission to modern practice. Inquire for enrollment details.