In Yang House Feng Shui, "Mountain Governs People, Water Governs Wealth" (山管人丁，水管财禄). This deep-dive covers the rigorous formulas for activating prosperity through precise water placement — encompassing rivers, roads, drains, pools, and all forms of flowing Qi in both rural and urban environments.
Water methods (水法, Shuǐ Fǎ) constitute one of the most complex and consequential branches of Feng Shui practice. While mountain forms (砂法) determine the health and harmony of the household's people, it is the water — its direction of approach, the manner in which it gathers, and the angle at which it exits — that governs the financial destiny of a dwelling. A perfectly formed mountain embrace with incorrect water flow will produce healthy people who remain poor; correct water flow with poor mountain form may bring wealth but invite illness.
水法是風水實踐中最複雜且影響最深的分支之一。山形（砂法）決定家人的健康與和諧，而水流——其來向、匯聚方式以及出水角度——則主宰住宅的財運。山勢完美卻水法有誤，則人丁興旺而財運欠佳；水法得當而山形不佳，或可招財卻易生疾病。
💧 Water Form Classification (水形分類)
Classical texts classify water forms by shape , speed , and exit direction . The shape of water as it approaches and leaves the site determines whether Qi is gathered or scattered. The following table summarizes the primary water form types referenced in the Di Li Wu Jue (地理五诀, "Five Secrets of Geomancy"):
| Water Form | Chinese | Description | Effect | Rating |
|---|
| Embracing Water | 抱水 (Bào Shuǐ) | Water curves around the site in a concave arc, like arms embracing | Qi gathers at the site; wealth accumulates steadily over generations | 🟢 Highly Auspicious |
| Gathering Water | 聚水 (Jù Shuǐ) | Multiple streams converge into a pool or lake in front of the site | Wealth from multiple sources; beneficial for commerce | 🟢 Highly Auspicious |
| Winding Water | 曲水 (Qū Shuǐ) | Water meanders in gentle S-curves past the site | Qi slows and lingers; produces scholars and officials | 🟢 Auspicious |
| Straight Water | 直水 (Zhí Shuǐ) | Water flows in a straight line past the site without curving | Qi passes without gathering; neutral unless very fast | 🟡 Neutral |
| Reverse Bow Water | 反弓水 (Fǎn Gōng Shuǐ) | Water curves away from the site in a convex arc (site is on the outside of the bend) | Qi is flung outward; financial ruin, accidents, lawsuits | 🔴 Inauspicious |
| Rushing Water | 冲水 (Chōng Shuǐ) | Water flows directly toward the front door in a straight line | Sha Qi pierces the dwelling; sudden disasters and health crises | 🔴 Very Inauspicious |
| Cutting Feet Water | 割脚水 (Gē Jiǎo Shuǐ) | Water flows too close to the building foundation, undercutting it | Unstable foundation Qi; residents cannot settle, frequent moves | 🔴 Inauspicious |
| Leaking Away Water | 漏腮水 (Lòu Sāi Shuǐ) | Water drains rapidly away from the Bright Hall without gathering | Wealth arrives but cannot be retained; constant spending | 🔴 Inauspicious |
🔍 Field Assessment Tip
When assessing water form, stand at the center of the site facing the Bright Hall (明堂, Míng Táng — the open area in front). The ideal configuration is: water enters from the left (Green Dragon side), curves across the front gathering in the Bright Hall, and exits to the right (White Tiger side) at an oblique angle. The exit point should be partially obscured — described as "seeing the water come but not seeing it go" (见来水不见去水).
🐉 Dragon Gate Eight Formations (龙门八局)
The Dragon Gate Eight Formations system organizes the 24 Mountains into eight major formations, each governed by the relationship between the sitting direction and the water exit point. Within each formation, three types of water are identified:
- Early Heaven Water (先天水, Xiān Tiān Shuǐ): Governs health, fertility, and the continuity of the family line. Derived from the Early Heaven Bagua (先天八卦) positions. When Early Heaven Water is correctly placed, household members enjoy physical vitality and status.
- Later Heaven Water (后天水, Hòu Tiān Shuǐ): Governs material wealth and financial prosperity. Derived from the Later Heaven Bagua (后天八卦) positions. This is the primary water for business success and income growth.
- Tian Jie Water (天劫水, Tiān Jié Shuǐ): "Heavenly Robbery" — a water position that, if activated, triggers sudden financial collapse, theft, or legal disasters. Identifying and avoiding Tian Jie Water is the practitioner's first defensive priority.
The Eight Formation Logic
Each of the eight formations corresponds to one of the eight trigrams in the Later Heaven arrangement. The Water Mouth (水口) — where water visibly exits the property — determines which formation applies. Once the formation is established, the practitioner maps the Early Heaven, Later Heaven, and Tian Jie Water positions for that specific configuration, then verifies whether actual water features align with auspicious or inauspicious sectors.
👻 Five Ghosts Carry Treasure (五鬼运财)
💰 Module 2: Aggressive Wealth Activation
The Five Ghosts Carry Treasure (五鬼运财, Wǔ Guǐ Yùn Cái) method is one of the most potent — and most dangerous — wealth activation techniques in the Yang House water method repertoire. It derives from the Ba Zhai (Eight Mansions) star system, specifically the interplay between the Lian Zhen Star (廉贞星) and the Ju Men Star (巨门星) .
| Component | Star | Role | Placement |
|---|
| Water Mouth | 廉贞星 (Lián Zhēn) | The "Five Ghosts" star — fire element, aggressive energy | Water must exit through the Lian Zhen (Five Ghosts) position of the house's Life Gua |
| Main Door | 巨门星 (Jù Mén) | The "Heavenly Doctor" star — earth element, wealth-generating | The main entrance must face the Ju Men (Tian Yi) position to receive the treasure carried by the Five Ghosts |
| Stove/Kitchen | — | Fire element activator | Must be placed in a position that supports the Lian Zhen–Ju Men axis without creating Fire-Water clash |
⚠️ Safety Protocol
Five Ghosts Carry Treasure is classified as a "borrowing method" (借法) — it borrows aggressive ghost energy for profit. If the alignment is even slightly off, or if the occupant's personal BaZi cannot withstand the Fire star, the result can be devastating: sudden lawsuits, betrayal by business partners, fire hazards, or violent incidents. This method should never be attempted without a master-level practitioner's direct supervision. Many lineages restrict its transmission to indoor disciples only.
💀 Eight Killings of the Yellow Springs (八煞黄泉)
⚡ Module 3: Lethal Water Diagnostics
The Eight Killings Yellow Springs (八煞黄泉, Bā Shā Huáng Quán) formula identifies specific combinations of sitting direction and water exit that are considered fatally inauspicious. "Yellow Springs" (黄泉) is a Chinese metaphor for the underworld — water exiting through these directions is said to "lead the household into the grave."
The classical mnemonic for the Killing Yellow Springs formula:
"Geng-Ding sits, Kun water kills; Kun sits, Geng-Ding water is the Yellow Springs."
Each of the eight formations has a specific "killing" water exit direction. When water exits through the Yellow Springs position relative to the sitting, the effects include: sudden death of the primary breadwinner, bankruptcy, and severing of the family line within three generations.
八煞黄泉口訣：
「庚丁坐，坤水殺；坤坐，庚丁水是黄泉。」
八局各有特定的「殺」方出水口。當水從相對坐向的黄泉位流出時，後果包括：家中主要經濟支柱突然死亡、破產，三代之內斷絕香火。
| Sitting Direction | Killing Water Exit | Element Clash | Modern Equivalents |
|---|
| 庚 Gēng / 丁 Dīng | 坤 Kūn (SW) | Metal/Fire vs. Earth — destructive cycle inversion | Drain, sewer exit, or downslope toward SW |
| 坤 Kūn | 庚 Gēng / 丁 Dīng | Earth vs. Metal/Fire — reverse killing | Road descending toward W or S sectors |
| 壬 Rén / 辛 Xīn | 乾 Qián (NW) | Water/Metal vs. Metal — excessive drain | Water pipe or stream exiting NW |
| 乾 Qián | 壬 Rén / 辛 Xīn | Metal vs. Water/Metal — father figure at risk | Drainage grate, downhill road toward N or W |
| 甲 Jiǎ / 癸 Guǐ | 艮 Gèn (NE) | Wood/Water vs. Earth — youngest son at risk | Culvert, underground drain exiting NE |
| 艮 Gèn | 甲 Jiǎ / 癸 Guǐ | Earth vs. Wood/Water — education and children harmed | Downslope or stream toward E or N |
| 丙 Bǐng / 乙 Yǐ | 巽 Xùn (SE) | Fire/Wood vs. Wood — eldest daughter at risk | Water exit, pond overflow toward SE |
| 巽 Xùn | 丙 Bǐng / 乙 Yǐ | Wood vs. Fire/Wood — literary pursuits ruined | Road descent or drain toward S or E |
🌊 San He Water Method — 12 Growth-Phase Water Flows (三合水法·长生水法)
The San He Water Method (三合水法) is the most systematic approach to water analysis in classical Feng Shui. It maps the Twelve Growth Stages (十二长生) of each element onto the 24 Mountains of the compass. For each of the four Water Frames (水局), the practitioner determines where water should ideally enter (auspicious stages) and where it must exit (the Tomb position), avoiding directions that correspond to Illness, Death, or Extinction stages.
三合水法是古典風水中最系統化的水分析方法。它將每種五行的 十二長生 階段映射到羅盤二十四山上。對於四大水局，風水師確定水應從哪裡來（吉利階段）、從哪裡去（墓庫位），並避開對應「病」、「死」、「絕」階段的方位。
🌳 Wood Frame Water Cycle (木局水法) — Chang Sheng at 亥 Hài
| Stage | Chinese | Position | Water Here Is... | Effect |
|---|
| 1. Birth | 长生 | 亥 Hài (NW) | 🟢 Auspicious Incoming | New wealth opportunities, childbirth blessings |
| 2. Bathing | 沐浴 | 子 Zǐ (N) | 🟡 Caution — Peach Blossom | Romance scandals, unstable finances if water enters here |
| 3. Crown | 冠带 | 丑 Chǒu (NE) | 🟢 Auspicious | Academic success, career advancement |
| 4. Official | 临官 | 寅 Yín (NE) | 🟢 Auspicious | Government positions, promotions, authority |
| 5. Emperor | 帝旺 | 卯 Mǎo (E) | 🟢🟢 Most Auspicious | Peak prosperity, maximum wealth and influence |
| 6. Decline | 衰 | 辰 Chén (SE) | 🟡 Weakening | Gradual loss, diminishing returns |
| 7. Illness | 病 | 巳 Sì (SE) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Chronic illness, medical expenses |
| 8. Death | 死 | 午 Wǔ (S) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Premature death, severe financial loss |
| 9. Tomb | 墓 | 未 Wèi (SW) | ⚪ Water Exit Point | Correct exit — Qi stored in the vault |
| 10. Extinction | 绝 | 申 Shēn (SW) | 🔴🔴 Most Inauspicious | Family line severed, total ruin |
| 11. Embryo | 胎 | 酉 Yǒu (W) | ⚪ Neutral | New cycle forming, quiet energy |
| 12. Nurture | 养 | 戌 Xū (NW) | ⚪ Neutral | Preparation for renewal |
🔥 Fire Frame Water Cycle (火局水法) — Chang Sheng at 寅 Yín
| Stage | Chinese | Position | Water Here Is... | Effect |
|---|
| 1. Birth | 长生 | 寅 Yín (NE) | 🟢 Auspicious Incoming | New ventures, innovation, rapid growth |
| 2. Bathing | 沐浴 | 卯 Mǎo (E) | 🟡 Caution | Romantic entanglements, impulsive spending |
| 3. Crown | 冠带 | 辰 Chén (SE) | 🟢 Auspicious | Recognition, academic honors |
| 4. Official | 临官 | 巳 Sì (SE) | 🟢 Auspicious | Authority, leadership roles |
| 5. Emperor | 帝旺 | 午 Wǔ (S) | 🟢🟢 Most Auspicious | Peak fame, political success, maximum fire energy |
| 6. Decline | 衰 | 未 Wèi (SW) | 🟡 Weakening | Post-peak fade, diminishing reputation |
| 7. Illness | 病 | 申 Shēn (SW) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Heart and eye diseases, fever-related illness |
| 8. Death | 死 | 酉 Yǒu (W) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Abrupt endings, project failures |
| 9. Tomb | 墓 | 戌 Xū (NW) | ⚪ Water Exit Point | Correct exit for Fire Frame |
| 10. Extinction | 绝 | 亥 Hài (NW) | 🔴🔴 Most Inauspicious | Lineage extinction, catastrophic loss |
| 11. Embryo | 胎 | 子 Zǐ (N) | ⚪ Neutral | Regeneration cycle begins |
| 12. Nurture | 养 | 丑 Chǒu (NE) | ⚪ Neutral | Quiet gestation |
| Stage | Chinese | Position | Water Here Is... | Effect |
|---|
| 1. Birth | 长生 | 巳 Sì (SE) | 🟢 Auspicious Incoming | New business, contracts, legal victories |
| 2. Bathing | 沐浴 | 午 Wǔ (S) | 🟡 Caution | Disputes, competition, overexposure |
| 3. Crown | 冠带 | 未 Wèi (SW) | 🟢 Auspicious | Refinement, strategic partnerships |
| 4. Official | 临官 | 申 Shēn (SW) | 🟢 Auspicious | Military/police careers, disciplined success |
| 5. Emperor | 帝旺 | 酉 Yǒu (W) | 🟢🟢 Most Auspicious | Peak Metal energy — financial mastery, decision-making power |
| 6. Decline | 衰 | 戌 Xū (NW) | 🟡 Weakening | Waning influence, slower income |
| 7. Illness | 病 | 亥 Hài (NW) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Lung and respiratory illness, skin diseases |
| 8. Death | 死 | 子 Zǐ (N) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Cold, lonely endings; isolation |
| 9. Tomb | 墓 | 丑 Chǒu (NE) | ⚪ Water Exit Point | Correct exit for Metal Frame |
| 10. Extinction | 绝 | 寅 Yín (NE) | 🔴🔴 Most Inauspicious | Complete severance of fortune |
| 11. Embryo | 胎 | 卯 Mǎo (E) | ⚪ Neutral | Seeds of renewal planted |
| 12. Nurture | 养 | 辰 Chén (SE) | ⚪ Neutral | Preparation phase |
💧 Water Frame Water Cycle (水局水法) — Chang Sheng at 申 Shēn
| Stage | Chinese | Position | Water Here Is... | Effect |
|---|
| 1. Birth | 长生 | 申 Shēn (SW) | 🟢 Auspicious Incoming | Flowing wealth, trading income, travel profits |
| 2. Bathing | 沐浴 | 酉 Yǒu (W) | 🟡 Caution | Alcohol problems, seduction, financial impulsiveness |
| 3. Crown | 冠带 | 戌 Xū (NW) | 🟢 Auspicious | Intellectual growth, wisdom accumulation |
| 4. Official | 临官 | 亥 Hài (NW) | 🟢 Auspicious | Diplomatic skill, high-level connections |
| 5. Emperor | 帝旺 | 子 Zǐ (N) | 🟢🟢 Most Auspicious | Peak Water energy — intelligence, wealth through wisdom |
| 6. Decline | 衰 | 丑 Chǒu (NE) | 🟡 Weakening | Conservatism, reduced flow |
| 7. Illness | 病 | 寅 Yín (NE) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Kidney and reproductive illness |
| 8. Death | 死 | 卯 Mǎo (E) | 🔴 Inauspicious | Stagnation, projects die mid-stream |
| 9. Tomb | 墓 | 辰 Chén (SE) | ⚪ Water Exit Point | Correct exit for Water Frame |
| 10. Extinction | 绝 | 巳 Sì (SE) | 🔴🔴 Most Inauspicious | Total financial and lineage collapse |
| 11. Embryo | 胎 | 午 Wǔ (S) | ⚪ Neutral | New cycle incubating |
| 12. Nurture | 养 | 未 Wèi (SW) | ⚪ Neutral | Quiet preparation for next cycle |
Key Principle: Water Must Exit at the Tomb (墓库)
Across all four Water Frames, the universal rule is identical: water must exit at the Tomb (墓库) position of the governing element. This is where Qi is "stored in the vault" — the element's energy is captured rather than lost. Water exiting at Death (死), Illness (病), or Extinction (绝) positions hemorrhages the site's vital Qi and produces the effects listed in each row. The Tomb acts as a natural "lock" on the water mouth.
The classic maxim states: "Qi rides the wind and scatters; it stops at the boundary of water" (气乘风则散，界水则止). In urban environments where natural rivers are absent, several modern features function as water substitutes :
Road-to-Water Correspondence
- Busy highway = Fast-flowing river (急水, jí shuǐ) — too much Qi rushing past; draining
- Quiet residential street = Gentle stream (缓水, huǎn shuǐ) — ideal for gathering Qi
- Curved road wrapping the building = "Jade Belt Wrapping the Waist" (玉带缠腰, Yù Dài Chán Yāo) — very auspicious, Qi embraces the site
- Building on the outside of a curve = "Reverse Bow Sha" (反弓煞, Fǎn Gōng Shā) — Qi is flung away; highly inauspicious
🏢 Urban Water Substitutes Reference
| Modern Feature | Classical Equivalent | Qi Behavior | Assessment Priority |
|---|
| Main road traffic | River current (水流) | Speed and volume of traffic = speed and volume of Qi flow | High — the primary "water" feature for most urban sites |
| Elevator shaft | Vertical water channel (竖水) | Rapid vertical Qi movement; beneficial when Qi arrives, draining when it departs | High — especially for apartments above the 5th floor |
| Escalator / staircase | Cascading stream (瀑布) | Qi flows downward along the slope; direction relative to the unit matters | Medium — relevant for commercial properties and malls |
| Underground parking ramp | Subterranean river (暗河) | Hidden Qi drain; cars exiting pull Qi out of the building | Medium — check if ramp exit is near the building's wealth sector |
| Drainage pipes / gutters | Water exit (出水口) | Even buried pipes direct Qi flow underground | High — the exact "water mouth" of the property |
| Air conditioning units | Wind-water (風水交界) | Create localized Qi movement; condensation drip = micro water feature | Low — minor influence, but cumulative in large buildings |
| Elevation drop / slope | Natural water flow direction (水归低处) | Qi follows gravity; property on the high side retains Qi better | High — fundamental in hillside developments |
🔀 Junction Analysis (路口分析)
| Junction Type | Chinese | Qi Pattern | Effect on Building | Mitigation |
|---|
| T-Junction | 丁字路冲 (Dīng Zì Lù Chōng) | Direct Qi rush from approaching road — "Road Rush Sha" (路冲煞) | Sudden accidents, financial ruin; severity increases with road length | Solid stone wall or earth mound between road and door; dense planting |
| Y-Junction | 叉路口 / 剪刀路 (Jiǎn Dāo Lù) | Qi splits around the building — "Scissors Road" effect | Indecision, scattered resources, difficulty accumulating wealth | Curved wall or hedge to unify the split Qi flow before it reaches the entrance |
| Roundabout | 环形路 (Huán Xíng Lù) | Circulating Qi — effect depends on building position relative to traffic speed | Beneficial if traffic slows at the gathering point; draining if traffic rushes past | Green central island preferred; position at the inner curve where vehicles decelerate |
| Cul-de-sac | 死巷 (Sǐ Xiàng) | Qi enters but cannot circulate — stagnant accumulation | Stagnation, difficulty with career progress; beneficial only if Qi quality is good and house is at the curve | Circular driveway or wind-chime at entrance to encourage Qi circulation |
🏠 Apartment-Specific Assessment
For high-rise apartments, the main door of the unit (not the building entrance) is the primary reference point. The corridor functions as a "river," and the elevator lobby is a "water gathering point." Units directly facing the elevator door receive rushing Qi — equivalent to a T-junction. Units at the end of a long corridor face "road rush" Sha from the corridor itself. The balcony side typically faces the external "water" (road, park, actual water body) and is assessed separately for wealth potential.
⛲ Pool & Fountain Placement (水池与喷泉布局)
Water features in Yang Zhai must follow precise rules to avoid turning a wealth activator into a source of illness and loss:
- Position: Place water in the Ling Shen (零神, "Zero Spirit") sector of the current period. For Period 9 (2024–2043) , the Ling Shen is in the North — a pool or fountain here is ideal for wealth activation.
- Shape: Curved or circular pools are preferred. Rectangular pools with sharp corners pointing at the house create "poison arrows" (暗箭, àn jiàn). Kidney-shaped pools curving toward the house are auspicious — called "embracing water" (抱水, bào shuǐ).
- Water quality: Stagnant, murky water breeds Sha Qi (煞气). Water must be clean, aerated, and moving . A stagnant pond with algae growth is worse than no water at all.
- Size proportion: Water features should not exceed one-third of the total land area. Oversized pools create excess yin energy — causing lethargy, depression, and respiratory issues.
🔄 Drainage Direction Significance (排水方向)
Where water exits the property is as important as where it enters. Key rules:
- Water should drain away from the main door — draining toward the door means wealth flows out (财水外流, cái shuǐ wài liú).
- The drainage exit point should be in an inauspicious sector — specifically the "Mu Ku" (墓库, Tomb-Vault) or "Dead" position of the site's Qi type.
- Underground drainage counts: Even buried pipes channel Qi. Drains visible from inside the house through glass doors or windows are more impactful than hidden drains.
- Avoid a drainage grate directly in front of the main entrance — it symbolically and energetically "drains" all incoming prosperity Qi before it enters the building.
📋 Case Study: Reverse Bow Road in Suzhou (苏州反弓路案例)
A villa in Suzhou was built on the outside curve of a major road — a classic Reverse Bow Sha (反弓煞, Fǎn Gōng Shā). The centrifugal force of traffic directed Qi straight at the living room.
- 1st owner (2011–2016): Went bankrupt.
- 2nd owner (2017–2021): Suffered a serious car accident.
- Feng Shui audit (2022): Confirmed reverse bow Qi combined with road rush through the South-facing door.
Remedy for the 3rd owner:
- Built a 2.5-meter stone wall with climbing plants between the road and the house
- Relocated the main entrance to the side of the house facing away from the curve
- Planted a row of dense bamboo as a Qi buffer
Outcome: The 3rd owner has lived there since 2023 without incident, reporting stable career progress and family harmony.
🔑 Practitioner Takeaway
When a building cannot be relocated, the priority is to interrupt the Sha Qi path . A physical barrier (wall, mound, dense planting) combined with relocating the main door away from the line of attack is the most effective dual remedy. Interior cures alone (mirrors, crystals) are considered insufficient for severe road Sha in professional practice.