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Mansion’s Architecture The Feng Shui Factor To the uninitiated visitor, the most obvious thumbprints of feng shui on the Blue Mansion are the propitious proverbs calligraphically inscribed over doorways throughout the building; as well as the intricate, decorative works and detailing which reveal scenes of Gods and myths. Depicting all manner of beauty - from scenes of paradise to the creatures of nature - the art works were designed to surround the household with loveliness and grace, which, it was hoped, would rub off on them. A more detailed inspection of the premises however, will not only reveal a structure whose main supporting 'pillar' is feng shui, but stands as a veritable geomantic and numerological marvel. Indeed - the Blue Mansion has been pronounced 'feng shui perfection' by leading masters who have paid calls on the building in the past. The proclamation comes as no surprise to heritage lovers familiar with the building's genesis - to begin with, Cheong Fatt Tze would probably have employed a master geomancer to calculate the optimum time for the mansion's construction; the best choice in use of materials; and the layout of water-flow and wind-flow lines which would best suit his zodiac. 'Wind Water'-shed According to the principles of feng shui, the best position for a house to be situated is 'Off the dragon's back': meaning, firstly, to face the sea, which the mansion does; secondly, to have hills behind it for protection, which it also does; and thirdly, to be on an incline or slope, which, though not initially possible due to the land's topography, was eventually brought about. (To achieve the desired requirements, granite steps to the back of the central courtyard were elevated about eleven inches, as well as the entire rear of the house, so the last part of the Mansion is substantially higher than the front). The classical symmetry of the house, meanwhile, ensures that the feng shui 'heart' is located in the middle of the central courtyard, thereby retaining the point from which the greatest 'Chi' (vortex) energy emanates. This point would have been selected by the original feng shui master as the central spot of the construction - with the rest of the mansion evolving from there. Bejeweled with materials which constitute the basic, 'must-have' feng shui elements of metal, timber, water, fire and earth, the mansion is a virtual buffet of building components, which send out a virtual clarion call to the Gods of prosperity, health and good luck. Decorative ironworks and buried gold in auspicious corners also ensure the flow of continuing wealth. |
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