Unknown
China Unknown
Feng Shui Compass

n.d.
wood
5.75 x 5.75 in.
2005.79
Gift of Ian and Deane Barbour

At the center of this deceptively simple wooden disc rests a magnetized needle that makes the object easily recognizable as a compass. Rather than pointing north, however, the purpose of this compass was to determine the feng shui, a measure of harmony between natural forces and human presence, of a given site. Although popularized in the western world as a set of home-or life-improvement tactics, the feng shui represented by this Chinese compass belonged to an old but constantly evolving form of geomancy - a form of divination which combined elements of astrology, geography, folk religions, and teachings of Taoism. The characters carved into the surface of the wood are a variety of astrological symbols meant to be read from the outside in; in the circle surrounding the compass point lie the most vital guidelines for the use of the compass – characters which represent the pa kua, the eight trigrams of Taoism. A skilled practitioner of feng shui would use the compass in order to map a site’s particular pa kua, thereby determining the layout of future buildings and the arrangement of rooms. This practice was, and in parts of China remains, both a way in which to ward off bad-luck as well as bring good fortune and health to those who lived or were buried at that site. Of particular interest to our exhibition is the compass’ role in mediating the relative positions of man and nature. The principles of Taoism which influenced the arrangement of this compass’ concentric circles encouraged harmony between humans and their environment. To some extent, this meant working with natural elements – or rebuilding them. The compass therefore demonstrates one of the key contradictions in the relationship between mankind and the earth; desiring to be in balance with the environment yet often forcing that balance to occur artificially when it does not suit our needs.

Katharine Biermann ‘17
Lasting Legacy 2017