36 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 8o 



to by the sons years in advance ; and good reason why, for upon the direction of 

 the grave, the surrounding landscape and a score of other circumstances will 

 the future v^realth, happiness, or even the life of the descendants, depend. But 

 let us suppose that in this case it remains yet to be done, while, at the same time 

 the family purse is full enough to meet the expense of securing a lucky site. 

 One of the sons deputed by the others, engages a geomancer and sets out with 

 him on the momentous search. 



Now, to understand what follows, we must remember that, geomantically 

 viewed, mountain ranges (or, in a flat country, the higher levels) if of a certain 

 conformation are to be regarded as dragons, and the parallel hills with the 

 valleys or depressions on either side of the range constitute the sandy banks 

 and the water, in which the dragon swims forward. Even to the western mind 

 an undulating mountain ridge does not lack the suggestion of being a vast 

 reptile; but to the Chinese, that is to the great majority, this is far more 

 than a mere metaphor, for within the range is believed to flow, like an under- 

 ground stream, the dragon's vital force or energy and wherever this collects 

 or becomes concentrated deposits of gold, silver, or other precious metals occur. 

 The secret to be discovered then is the exact spot where this throbbing force 

 comes near the surface, or, as it is called, the Dragon's pulse so that when the 

 remains of the parent are lowered into the earth, they will be in a perfect line to 

 receive through the head and into the whole body this wealth-accruing energy. 

 This accomplished, it must naturally follow that his posterity, who are the bone 

 of his bone and ilesh of his flesh, will abound in riches. There may be other 

 theories propounded for this belief, but this is the one I have heard.^ 



Feng Shut, wind and water. (The outward and visible signs of celestial 

 Yang and Yin.) The art of adapting the residence of the living and the dead 

 so as to co-operate and harmonize with the local currents of the cosmic breath 

 (Yin and Yang q. v.) ; often incorrectly called " geomancy." 



It is believed that at every place there are special topographical features 

 (natural or artificial) which indicate or modify the universal spiritual breath 

 (Ch'i). The forms of hills and the directions of watercourses, being the 

 outcome of the moulding influences of wind and water, are the most important 

 but in addition the heights and forms of buildings and the directions of roads 

 and bridges are potent factors. From instant to instant the force and direction 

 of the spiritual currents are modified by the motions of the sun and moon, 

 (see Astrology), so that at any particular time the directions of the celestial 

 bodies from the point considered are also of great importance. 



The professor of Feng Shui employs a Lo-pan (graduated astrolabe with 

 compass) to observe directions and astrological harmonies, while at the same 

 time he notices the forms which the spiritual forces of nature have produced. 



By talismans (dragons and other symbolic figures on roofs or walls, pagodas 

 on hills, or bridges) and charms (pictures of spirits or "words of power" 

 inscribed on paper scrolls or stone tablets), the unpropitious character of any 

 particular topography may be amended. 



Artificial alteration of natural forms has good or bad effect according to the 

 new forms produced. Tortuous paths are preferred by beneficent influences, 

 so that straight works such as railways and tunnels favour the circulation of 

 maleficent breath. 



^ West China Missionary News, Oct. 1915, pp. 27-28. 



