Chapter 10-3 Historical Feng Shui Stories
Becoming a "fortunate person" is certainly everyone's wish, but truly virtuous and saintly individuals are few. How can ordinary people achieve this beautiful aspiration with their own efforts? In my humble view, there are two ways: "strengthening both hands." First, through self-cultivation and nurturing the mind to achieve inner richness, calmness and joy, thereby enhancing personal energy. Second, by choosing a blessed place or transforming one's living and working environment into such a place, aligning with the natural frequency and energy fields. This aligns with the most fundamental workings of the universe, achieving the "Unity of Man and Nature".
Let's explore together three widely circulated Chinese folk stories of Feng Shui.
- Oil Lamp Determining Burial Sites: The Three Sus
Among the "Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties"（唐宋八大家）, the Su family alone occupied three spots with Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Zhe, who were father and sons. In various parts of Sichuan, a well-known and widely circulated story titled "Oil Lamp Determining Burial Sites" is told.
Su Shi's grandfather was from Sichuan province. In his old age, he renounced worldly affairs and became a Taoist monk. He had a close friend named Jiang Shan, who was a famous Feng Shui master of the time. Every two years, Jiang Shan would travel to famous mountains and rivers to search for dragon veins and burial sites. After his journeys, he would return to the Su's temple to rest and meditate.
Once, while playing chess with Su Shi's grandfather, Jiang Shan suddenly remarked: "During my recent travels, I found two excellent Feng Shui locations. One is a wealthy site that can produce great riches for descendants, and the other is a noble site that can enable future generations to rise to the position of prime minister. I can give you one of these locations. Which one would you like to choose?"
Su Shi's grandfather replied: "I entered the monkhood later in life, and my son is still studying. I have no desire for wealth or nobility. I only hope that my descendants can be wise and capable." Jiang Shan thought for a moment and said: "In that case, neither of these places would be suitable. However, I found another auspicious site, which can produce a renowned scholar known throughout the world for literary talent. I can gift you this piece of land!"
Su Shi's grandfather was delighted upon hearing this. The next morning, the two set out on their journey. After traveling for more than ten days, they arrived at this Feng Shui treasure site. The land was surrounded by continuous mountains, with a spacious open area in front. A winding stream meandered through the forest, flowing upwards and then turning to the left rear. In the front, there were layered hills, featuring both Pen Holder Mountain and Literary Peak, auspicious for excelling in imperial examinations and literary talents.
After reading it, Su Shi's grandfather was very pleased but suddenly sighed and said, "This place is indeed good, but it is situated in a high position, with tall mountains that attract the wind. As the saying goes, 'A high burial site fears the winds from all eight directions,' which may be unfavorable for future generations." Hearing this, Jiang Shan couldn't help but laugh: "Although this place seems to be on high ground, it is actually a rare treasure land. The surrounding mountains protect this precious burial spot, and no wind will blow through it." He then took an oil lamp from his pocket, crouched down, lit it, and gently placed it at the entrance of the burial site. The wind howled fiercely all around, but the flame of the oil lamp did not waver in the slightest. However, if he held the lamp and took even one step away, the flame would be instantly extinguished by the wind. Jiang Shan said: "This is the perfect burial site; even a single step away would not work. Burying here will ensure that your family produces scholars renowned throughout the world, but nowhere else will do. If you don't believe me, you can try it." Su Shi's grandfather, hearing this, tested the lamp in various nearby spots, and the flame was always blown out by the wind. Only then did he fully trust Jiang Shan's Feng Shui skills.
Several years later, after Su Shi's grandfather's mother passed away, she was buried at the spot Jiang Shan had identified. Not long after, Jiang Shan returned with Su Shi's grandfather to re-examine his mother's grave. After inspecting it, Jiang Shan said: "There is still a minor adjustment needed here." He then performed a ritual and added some soil to the left side of the grave mound. Afterward, he told Su Shi's grandfather: "This will ensure that not only your son but also your grandson will become famous for their literary achievements."
According to historical records, Su Shi's father—Su Xun, who originally disliked studying, suddenly developed a passion for it. At the age of 27, he began to study diligently and eventually became a prominent figure of his time. In 1057 of the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Xun took Su Shi and his younger brother Su Zhe to take the imperial exams. Both sons passed the exam, with Su Shi being 22 years old and Su Zhe 19. Thereafter, the three-Su family members all achieved extraordinary success in literature, becoming famous worldwide and leaving a lasting legacy in history.
- Zhu Yuanzhang Borrowed Land to Bury Parents
Zhu Yuanzhang was born in a humble family as the youngest child. His father came from eight generations of poor farmers, but the family was originally prosperous with four sons and two daughters. In 1344 AD, when Zhu Yuanzhang was 17 years old, his hometown experienced a severe drought, followed by locust plagues and epidemics. On April 6th, his father died of starvation; 3 days later, his eldest brother also starved to death; and 3 days after that, his eldest brother's son succumbed to hunger as well. Not long after, his mother passed away from starvation. Subsequently, his second sister-in-law and her children, his third sister-in-law and her children, his eldest sister's family, and his second sister all died either from starvation or illness. The remaining few relatives fled in search of food. In a short period, the once-thriving family was shattered, leaving only Zhu Yuanzhang and his second brother.
The devastation of losing his family had a profound impact on the young Zhu Yuanzhang. Adding to his hardships was the difficulty of finding a suitable burial place for his parents, as they did not even have the means to purchase coffins or a plot of land.
In his desperation, Zhu Yuanzhang thought of Liu De, a landlord who had been their family's tenant. However, Liu De turned down his request without any sympathy. At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang could only lament to the heavens: "The dead have no place for eternal rest—ah, how difficult it is!"
Fortunately, Liu De's distant relative—a local gentleman named Liu Jizu—heard about the situation and was moved with compassion. He approached Zhu Yuanzhang and offered a piece of barren mountain land, unused and uncultivated, for the burial of his parents and family. Despite being a desolate and unused piece of land, it was a gesture that Zhu Yuanzhang deeply appreciated in his time of crisis. However, even with this land, Zhu Yuanzhang still could not afford coffins, so he had to wrap his parents' bodies hastily in straw mats.
The two brothers carried their parents' bodies up the mountain and were about to dig graves when a sudden storm broke out, with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. The sky darkened as if covered by a blackened pot. Terrified, the brothers quickly took shelter under a nearby tree, trembling with fear. After about the duration of a meal, the storm finally subsided. When they came out, they saw that the rain had been so heavy that it had caused a small mound of earth on the hillside to collapse. The mud from the mound had slid down perfectly, covering the bodies of Zhu Yuanzhang's parents completely, and even exposed a small burial mound on top.
After hastily burying parents, Zhu Yuanzhang's second brother also fled to escape the famine. Left alone, Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to seek refuge in a temple, where he became a monk, spending his days sweeping the grounds and chanting scriptures. However, the good times did not last long. The famine struck again, and the temple could no longer support the monks' daily needs, forcing Zhu Yuanzhang to beg for food for the next three years.
Later, an old friend from his childhood encouraged Zhu Yuanzhang to join the rebel army. As he hesitated, his friend informed him that their correspondence had been discovered by the authorities, and they were about to be arrested. With danger on both sides, Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to join the rebel army, thus beginning the "revolutionary career" of a future great leader.
No one could have imagined that a man who started with nothing but a begging bowl would eventually conquer the whole Empire. The History of the Ming Dynasty praises Zhu Yuanzhang: "The Taizu Emperor, with his brilliance and military prowess, harbored the ambition to save the world and bring peace to the people. Seizing the moment and rising with the tide, he gathered heroes around him, crushed chaos, and subdued the powerful, establishing his empire within 15 years."
Zhu Yuanzhang posthumously honored his father as Emperor Renzu and initially planned to relocate his father's grave for a more elaborate burial. However, a wise man pointed out that the original burial site of his parents was on a dragon vein, a Feng Shui treasure that could produce emperors. Consequently, he ordered the renovation of his parents' tomb, which is now the Ming Imperial Mausoleum in Anhui.
After proclaiming himself emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang remembered the kindnesses he had received, notably from Liu Jizu, whom he granted noble titles. This title continued through generations, establishing the Liu family as a prestigious clan responsible for safeguarding the Imperial Mausoleum. As for the landlord Liu De, who had refused to help Zhu Yuanzhang, he later admitted his "mistake" voluntarily. Zhu Yuanzhang said: "What you did was understandable. When I was poor, how could you have known that I would become emperor?" He even rewarded Liu De with 30 hectares of fertile land and exempted him from taxes for 10 years.
This peasant-turned-emperor's strong belief in Feng Shui is evident in his gratitude to Liu Jizu, but it also seems connected to the influence of his "first counselor", Liu Bowen. Zhu Yuanzhang's later choice of his own burial site, along with the subsequent Ming Imperial Tombs, all exemplify his commitment to top-notch Feng Shui, benefiting future generations and contributing to the longevity of the Ming dynasty, which blessed 16 emperors and a period known as the "Great Ming Prosperity".
- Liu Bowen and the Ming Imperial Tombs
The Ming Imperial Tombs have remained the best-preserved ancient royal mausoleums to date, with the exception of the Ding-tomb, which was excavated in a planned manner after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Remarkably, the Ming Imperial Tombs have never been looted over the course of several centuries, a rarity among imperial mausoleums, and this may largely be attributed to Liu Bowen, a key minister of the founding of the Ming dynasty.
When Emperor Yongle moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing, he asked Liu Bowen to select a site for the imperial tombs. Liu Bowen traveled to the Yanshan Mountains, initially inspecting a few locations. When he arrived at one spot, east of Beijing, he felt as if he had entered a celestial realm. To the east lay Phoenix Ridge, and to the west, a giant dragon stretching from north to south, winding its way across the land. Above the two mountains, towering pine and cypress trees covered the sky, and between the two mountains, clouds and mist rose, with a hazy purple aura. Looking southward, the land was vast and boundless. If the imperial tombs were placed here, the north would be protected by a formidable mountain barrier, and the south would offer an endless expanse of open land, symbolizing the everlasting continuation of the imperial line and the enduring stability of the dynasty.
To ensure prudence, Liu Bowen conducted a detailed investigation and made a new discovery. He noticed that there is a village called Xilonghuyu (translated as "Dragon and Tiger Village") north of the two mountains. Given that the Ming dynasty was ruled by the Zhu family, the idea of placing the tombs in a location associated with both a dragon and a tiger seemed ominous. In Chinese, the word "Zhu"(朱) sounds like "pig", which could imply that the Zhu family might become food for the tiger. Additionally, south of mountain, there was another village called Langhuzhuang (translated as "Wolf and Tiger Village"). This made Liu Bowen uneasy; he thought it was bad enough to have a tiger to the north, but now there was also a wolf and another tiger to the south, which the Zhu family's "dragon sons" would probably not be able to withstand.
Upon closer inspection, Liu Bowen observed that Phoenix Ridge to the east resembled a beautiful phoenix, while the great mountain to the west looked like a majestic dragon. The dragon and phoenix together symbolize harmony, but as he continued to examine the site, he noticed that the dragon and phoenix appeared to be entwined, with their tails interlocked. This enraged Liu Bowen, for if the dragon and phoenix were to mate here, they would produce offspring, and this dragon offspring would surely grow up to be a troublemaker who could potentially seize control of the Ming Dynasty. This was unacceptable! So he drew his sword and struck at the place where the dragon and phoenix were mating. The phoenix lost part of its tail, and the dragon lost its vital parts.
After disrupting the spiritual energy of the previous location, Liu Bowen continued his search, heading northeast. He eventually found a Feng Shui treasure site called Malanyu. This location featured the towering mountain to the north, serving as a protective screen, while another mountain to the south acted as a ceremonial mountain, like a court official holding a tablet. In the middle was Yingbi Mountain, resembling a desk, providing a sense of support. To the east, a mountain looked like a coiled green dragon, and to the west, a white tiger majestically perched. Two large rivers encircled the area to the east and west, resembling jade belts. The broad and open terrain, embraced by mountains, exuded a natural grace and composure. Could this truly be the perfect resting place for the Ming emperors in the distant future?
After observing the Feng Shui of the area, Liu Bowen stayed here for 3 days and nights, troubled by nightly cries and howls that his attendants claimed not to hear. One day, an old man with a white beard, who introduced himself as the local mountain deity, came to him and said that this treasure land was already occupied and that outsiders could not reside there. He suggested that Liu Bowen should look for another suitable place to the west. Startled, Liu Bowen opened his eyes and realized it had all been a dream. He immediately ordered his attendants to pack up and head west.
Liu Bowen and his entourage eventually reached Tianshou Mountain, northwest of Beijing. Surrounded on three sides by mountains, this area formed a basin hundreds of miles in diameter, deemed the auspicious dragon tombs bestowed by heaven. Liu Bowen, using his skills in observing the heavens and the earth, noted that no one had yet claimed this site, and there were no threats from tigers, leopards, or wolves. Thus, he finally designated this location as the site for the Ming Imperial Tombs.
The Ming Imperial Tombs are the largest, best-preserved, and most extensive imperial mausoleum complex in the world, with 13 emperor's tombs built harmoniously into the landscape, each carefully following Feng Shui principles. In addition to the 13 emperor's tombs, the complex includes 23 empresses' tombs, over 30 concubines' tombs, two crown princes' tombs. Central to the complex is a 6-kilometer Sacred Way, beginning at the Stone Tablet and extending to the entrance of Chang-tomb.
Chang-tombs was the first of the 13 Ming Tombs. Its Feng Shui is considered "textbook-level" (Figure 10.2). The entire tomb is grand in scale, with a circular plan at the back and a square plan at the front, consisting of three consecutive courtyards connected from front to back. On either side of the sacred way are two towering mountains, Dragon Mountain and Tiger Mountain. Along the sacred way are structures such as the Stele of Dismounting, the Great Red Gate, the stone statues of sacred animals, and the Dragon and Phoenix Gate, all of which are rich in Feng Shui symbolism, making their meanings self-evident.
Figure 10.2: Schematic of Chang-tomb of Ming Emperor Yongle
Looking back at the royal tombs throughout China's history, one can clearly see the development of Feng Shui culture.
During the Qin and Han dynasties, Feng Shui practices were still in their infancy. At that time, imperial tombs were generally built on open plains near the capital, resembling palaces. These tombs were centered around the underground chambers, with rectangular tomb walls surrounding them, each side having a gate, symbolizing the emperor's central and revered position.
The Tang and Song dynasties saw significant advancements in Feng Shui theory, leading to more meticulous site selections, though the overall layout of imperial tombs remained square in shape. By the Yuan dynasty, Feng Shui had become widely popular among the general population, with increased emphasis on the mountains and water bodies surrounding the tombs. This is why Zhu Yuanzhang's tomb was built close to the mountain, with protective sand dunes on both sides, rather than on an open plain far from the mountains.
Starting from the Ming dynasty, there was an unprecedented transformation in the imperial tomb system of China, laying the foundation for the basic structure of the imperial tombs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. From that time on, ordinary people began to consult Feng Shui theories more extensively, leading to a deeper understanding of the orientation and methods of burial.
