Another example of Sacred Geography, which stems from the symbolic realm, can be found in Mandala. The mandalas are circular paintings, geometrical arrangements gradually evolving from center to periphery, and various abstract symbols appear in them. Over the centuries, the use of mandalas in China has evolved in everyday life as a way of channeling spiritual energy in a positive and individual way through Feng Shui.
Chi
The Chinese view nature as a living and breathing organism. They see the universe as a chain of life that is joined together, like a living body. This spirit of life is called Chi, and it can be expressed in three forms: one that moves in the atmosphere, one in the earth, and another that moves through the human body.
The Chinese have been conducting topographic surveys since 2000 BC, interpreting land forms according to their beliefs in mythology and Taoist astrology. All of China was organized into a huge sacred geography. Mountain areas were vigorous Chi, while flat ground was slow Chi.
Chinese medicine deals with Chi in the body, Tai Chi is the development of physical Chi through harmonious exercises, while Feng Shui deals with the research and use of earthy Chi for the purposes of human environment design: room, house, street, and city.
Yin and Yang
Yin and yang are the basic concepts of plus and minus. In the Chinese world, the comparison is analogous to the full moon and the missing moon. In a world of full moon people become more Yang, meaning they tend to have more activity. The opposite is true in the days of the New Moon. So people tend to Yin, they are peaceful and spiritual, relaxed and self-absorbed.
Every view, rural or urban, has its own Yin or Yang quality. A peaceful landscape, such as a forest or green meadow, has a female influence on chi energy. Large cities have a Yang - masculine quality. Places exposed to the sun are also of Yang quality, and shady places are of Yin quality.
Four Elements
The Yin and Yang are divided into four elements: air, water, earth, fire. Every element affects the other in a constructive or destructive relationship. For example, the element of the earth: plenty of sun - fire, in the fall season will bring good crop, but with too much sun the crop will be destroyed.
There are those who add a fifth element - tree. It is common and basic in ancient cultures as the source of life, which incorporates all four elements: it sucks water and is rich in moisture, its top moves in the wind, its fruits are like fire and its place of planting is in the ground.
Mandela
The four elements are also the four winds of the sky, and in this way the spatial mandala pattern is created.
The mandala is a circular metaphysical geometric illustration of the cosmos, containing various symbols, each of which is an archetypal symbol, in an inside to outside direction from the center. It express man's desire for self-unity with the universe.
Mendalas usually describe spiritual, intellectual, and emotional processes.
There are also ancient mandalas that are cognitive maps of geographical regions. These landscape mandalas created a sacred geography. They include mountains and rivers, and other holy sites, such as tombs of saints. Monks and pilgrims made pilgrimages to them according to a certain route painted on the mandala. The holy places were seen as steps in the world of enlightenment.
There are also ancient mandalas that are cognitive maps of geographical regions. These landscape mandalas created a sacred geography. They include mountains and rivers, and other holy sites, such as tombs of saints. Monks and pilgrims made pilgrimages to them according to a certain route painted on the mandala. The holy places were seen as steps in the world of enlightenment.
Feng Shui
A useful sacred geography that developed from the world of mandala, and is very common nowadays, is called Feng Shui. The literal meaning of the concept is "wind and water," and it expresses harmony between the Chi of the earth and the Chi of mankind for the benefit of both.
Feng Shui is a collection of many archaic symbols from different fields designed to express the harmonious connection between nature and man. In Feng Shui, the basic concept that has evolved is that the original Chi can be channeled through a system of elaborate metaphysical geometry to each person and place, to the level of the individual organ. In this way, a complex and integrated system of law and practice evolved, encompassing all aspects of human life.
Bhagua
The most common tool for practical use in Feng Shui is the Bhagua, which is actually a mandala. The Bhaguan mandala is shaped like a compass, in which symbols of Fang Shui appear instead of the directions of the compass.
In addition to the four elements, the four seasons will appear in accordance with each direction, the main landscape bodies such as the sea, the sky, the mountain and the plain, the various family members such as father and mother, brother and sister, and many other archetypal symbols, abstracts of the world in which we live. Each direction features are well detailed in tables. The complex traditional Chinese calendar, which has a dozen animals, is also based on a similar principle.
The use of the Bhagua is done by placing it in the center of the space or the desired time, with its head toward the source of spiritual energy. From then on, the characterization of all parts of space and time is made.
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Landscape painting inspired by idyllic Chi energy
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The symbol of Yin and Yang, of two opposite Chi energies in the universe
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The five elements arranged in the shape of a star
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The mandala is a symbolic circular illustration of the universe
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A meditating Tibetan monk draws mandala with colorful sand
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Bhagua is an eight-sided mandala used by Feng Shui
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