To truly understand the foundations of Chinese Feng Shui, one must first grasp the core ideas and structure of the He Tu (River Diagram). While previous sections have explored the origins and symbolism of the He Tu, this article focuses on how it is applied in the practice of Feng Shui.
At its core, the He Tu is more than a mythological diagram—it is a mathematical model of how qi (energy) flows in the universe. Just as Newton’s three laws describe the relationship between force and motion in physical space, the He Tu outlines a structured, numerical approach to understanding the invisible yet powerful flows of cosmic energy that shape life on Earth. In traditional Chinese cosmology, everything that grows, moves, or transforms on Earth is influenced by the orderly movement of planets and celestial forces in the universe. The He Tu represents a way to measure and predict these energy patterns.
A Numerical Map of Yin and Yang Energies
The He Tu arranges the numbers 1 to 10 into a spatial pattern aligned with the five cardinal directions—East, South, West, North, and Center. These numbers are not random: they reflect the interaction of yin and yang energies and their connection to the Five Elements (Wu Xing).
Here’s how the numbers are placed and interpreted:
1 & 6 – Positioned in the North, representing the energy of Water
2 & 7 – In the South, corresponding to Fire
3 & 8 – In the East, aligned with Wood
4 & 9 – In the West, symbolizing Metal
5 & 10 – In the Center, representing Earth
Moreover, the numbers themselves reflect a deeper logic of balance:
1 + 5 = 6
2 + 5 = 7
3 + 5 = 8
4 + 5 = 9
5 + 5 = 10
This is not coincidental. In Chinese philosophy, all things are composed of yin and yang, and their interaction is mediated by Earth energy (symbolized by the number 5). Each pair above combines a “yang” number (odd) with the Earth (5) to produce its yin counterpart (even).
Decoding the Energies Behind Each Number
From this system, each number represents a distinct type of elemental energy, either in its yin or yang form:
1 – Yang Water
6 – Yin Water
2 – Yin Fire
7 – Yang Fire
3 – Yang Wood
8 – Yin Wood
4 – Yin Metal
9 – Yang Metal
5 – Yang Earth
10 – Yin Earth
This framework allows Feng Shui practitioners to analyze energy fields and apply the Five Elements in practical settings.
Practical Uses: From Home Numbers to Interior Layouts
The applications of He Tu are vast and extend beyond abstract theory. A few examples:
Personal Use: People can choose favorable numbers for house floors, mobile phone endings, license plate digits, or lucky numbers based on the elements they lack. For instance, someone lacking Fire energy might benefit from numbers 2 and 7, which are linked to Fire.
Environmental Feng Shui: In designing homes or offices, different areas (based on their direction) are aligned with specific types of energy. The He Tu helps determine which kind of person is most suited to live in a certain area, or what types of items should be placed in particular locations to promote harmony and well-being.
He Tu as the Cosmic Blueprint of Feng Shui
Ultimately, the He Tu diagram defines more than just directions and elements. It provides:
A directional map of elemental forces
North: Water
South: Fire
East: Wood
West: Metal
Center: Earth
A numerical coding system for those forces
Enabling practitioners to calculate how qi flows, transforms, and combines in any environment
Future updates will explore these mechanisms in greater detail—offering more tools for those who wish to align their surroundings with the rhythms of the cosmos.
Final Thought
Just as modern physics relies on universal laws to explain material motion, traditional Chinese Feng Shui uses He Tu to model how invisible energies move and interact. It is a bridge between heaven and earth, number and nature, philosophy and daily life.
To embrace Feng Shui is to seek harmony—not just in space, but in spirit. And the He Tu is one of the earliest, most elegant maps ever drawn for that journey.