Prayers to the Four Directions of a House (Bai Si Jiao)

Finally the secret is out... read on...

The ritual of offering prayers to the four directions of one’s house (Bai Si Jiao) before moving in is a widespread practice found in many Chinese communities in Asia. Many fengshui masters in the region are engaged to perform the ritual although it is argued that the practice has no direct link with the fengshui tradition. It is a sanctifying process (Wang4 Wu1) that is always steeped with religious beliefs, particularly of Daoism. However, if we are to look at other religious faiths, it is not difficult to find similar practices of blessing. Take for example the Muslims, who will invite a religious teacher to recite certain verses from the Quran at the four corners of the house to bless it.
Unfortunately, many modern urban dwellers would prefer to simply brush the Bai Si Jiao ritual off as a mere superstition. But if we are to view it from a logical perspective, there are values in this old Chinese ritual that may actually benefit us. The burning of joss papers and incense will bring warmth into a house that, due to long period of vacancy, has become damp and cold. With the intrusion of heat and light, the moisture in the air will be greatly reduced and air-borne bacteria in the house will be greatly reduced. Psychologically, it creates the feeling that the place is safe for dwelling. From the fengshui point of view, strong Yin energy may be striving in the house, from the lack of human Qi and sunlight. Strong Yin energy can also be a result of poor maintenance of the house by the previous owner (e.g. poor lighting locations resulting in many dark corners) or tragic occurrences (e.g. someone died in the house) during its earlier occupancy. Fire by means of burning incense will bring Yang energy into the house, thus balancing the energies. Therefore, if it is not too troublesome for you, getting it done can be a pretty good thing for your house.
Contrary to what is being taught about the process of the ritual, the idea of praying to the corners of a house is in fact incorrect. We should be praying to the four cardinal compass directions, not corners. As for those who already know that it should be the four directions and not four corners, also tend to make the mistake of taking the North, South, East and West as the four directions. The correct directions we are praying to should be the NW, SE, NE, Sw and the Center. The four are actually the Qian, Xun, Gen and Kun trigrams of the Bagua and are known as Si4 Yu2 (四隅). Thus, its is more appropriate to call its Wang Wu Fang (Sanctifying the Five Directions) if we include the center. In ancient China, houses are normally built with its front facing the south so as to avoid the freezing northern wind from blowing straight into the house. Even the royal palace was built with such an orientation. Since the Chinese houses are mostly rectangular in shape, the four directions coincidentally will fall at the four corners of the house. As a result, over the centuries, common folks who watched the Fengshui practitioners conducting the prayer, took it superficially that it is the corners of the house, without understanding the principles behind.

NW - Qian乾 Heaven Gate (Tian Men 天门)

SE - Xun巽 Earth Door (Di Hu 地户)

NE - Gen良 Gate of Birth (Sheng Men 生门) or Ghost Gate (Gui Men鬼门) or External Ghost Gate (Wai Gui Men外鬼門)

SW - Kun坤 Gate of Death (Si Men 死门) or Man Gate (Ren Men人门) or Internal Ghost Gate (Nei Gui Men 內鬼門)

Referring to the above , the name Sheng Men (Northeast) and Si Men (Southwest) is derived from the concept of Ba Men (Eight Doors) in the study of Qi Men. As for Tian Men (Northwest) and Di Hu (Southeast), the names and their association with the Qian and Xun trigrams can be found in the Tian Men Di Hu Jue (Secrets of Heaven Gate and Earth Door 天门地户诀) and also many other ancient texts. From the names of the Four Directions, it is obvious that the purpose of the ritual is to pay respect to the Heaven above and Earth below as well as the cycle of creation and destruction that encompasses everything. Or in fengshui terms an act of acknowledging the various natural Qi at work in the living environment around us. Some fengshui practitioners even go to the extent of saying that the ritual is done to appease the negative spirits so as to make them leave the house. Personally, I prefer the first reason since it adheres better to the concept of Qi in fengshui.

Regards
Kinryu

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