The importance of the Celestial Animals or Protectors when planning and planting bamboos and grasses in oriental style Feng Shui gardens

The Book of Changes.

Feng Shui is based on  the ‘I Ching’, and it’s associated Lines, Trigrams, and Hexagons. The “I Ching” is a philosophical book that interprets  the energies of the universe. Its teachings consider that all simultaneous events are not purely random, but are in some way connected with each other. Moreover, that the laws of nature are in fact the laws of humanity.

If this is indeed true, and everything in the universe is inter connected in some way, we can by determining the rising and falling of energies and by the subtle  and sympathetic manipulation of the elements and energies of nature that co-exist around us, create an environment that is harmonious and balanced. Enabling us to see through the confusion to the where the truth of life resides. 

Determining the facing direction,

Determining the facing and sitting directions of any property requires a logical and detailed analysis.

Contrary to what some say, this cannot be done properly from a floor plan or house plan alone. Although a detailed house plan is very important to the analysis it is not enough to facilitate an informed decision.

The property needs to be looked at examined and felt to decide which the facing direction is.

The facing direction is the side of the property that receives the most Yang Energies; it is not determined solely as being the side where your front door is. There are many more considerations.

In many cases, it will be quite straightforward to determine the facing direction. Most modern houses do in fact have their front doors at the front, and the front of the house usually has a lawn or open space and the house will usually front a road or a courtyard or mews.

All of which are important considerations. However, what is  on the other side of the road?

Does the front door of the house open directly on to the road or in to an alleyway? If so the facing direction could well be in a different direction. It could be one that faces a garden or overlooks a park or even a traffic roundabout if it has grass and trees and has a more open aspect and is  brighter.

If you live in an apartment building or work in an office block, your facing direction is probably not on the same side as the other apartments or offices on your floor. It is very likely not on the same side of the building as the apartment or office block main entrance. In these cases, all the relevant factors need taking into account. Some factors will emerge predominant. It will be these dominant factors, which will decide the facing direction.

The Yang energy that comes from your Facing Direction is the most beneficial the most active and expansive. It is this energy that it is in our best interests to encourage. The Ming Tang or Bright Hallway: Is  the area or side of the property that has the nearest physical properties to that of the Red Phoenix.

The Form School 'Xiang-shi-pai'
	The Armchair Configuration:
		The Form represented by the Four Celestial Animals or Protectors is some times referred to as the Armchair Form, and you can see why. From the illustration below, we can see how conducive the concept of the armchair configuration is when we are considering the protective Form of the Celestial Animals in and around the exterior of the property. Phyllostachys Nigra the 'Black Bamboo' the stunning ebony culms represent the black tortoise at the back of the form. When the form of the land or the arrangement of the building is such that we cannot face South, we should still try to maintain the configuration of the Four Celestial Animals based the properties facing direction. That means the Red Phoenix is to the front as you look out from your front entrance or from the facing direction   The Green Dragon. Hibanobambusa tranquillans 'Shiroshima' in pots or underplant with blue perriwinkle. The Red Phoenix Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' Dwarf fountain grass, long red flowers. Best for pots. White Striped Tiger Luzula sylvatica. 'Marginata' Once we have established the properties facing direction, see the column on the right  we can make the adjustments  to simulate the perfect form
	To be simplistic and recap  in layman's terms. When you stand looking out of your facing direction, which is probably your main entrance. The tortoise is behind you the Red Phoenix straight in font of you, the White Tiger is on your right and the Green/Azure Dragon is on your left. Of course it is not necessary to use plants and grass to symbolise the Celestial protectors and reproduce the form. A rockery or fence (preferably blue) will make an admirable black tortoise at the rear. Any hedge apart from Golden Privet or Purple Beach is perfect to symbolise the Green Dragon and a white picket fence or any silver leafed shrubs or plants can represent the White Tiger. The red phoenix could be represented by a statue of a red bird, a tub of bright red Pelagoniums, or even a red painted gate. The options are endless when you give it some thought. One of the most delightful thing about Feng Shui is that when it is right it looks rights and you know and feel it is right. In fact if you think about it we practice the principals of Feng Shui  most days of our lives without even realising it. It comes naturally. Its good taste.

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