ABOUT WANAN FENGSHUI COMPASS
Feng Shui, which literally means 'wind and water', is the ancient Chinese art of placement.
It is a form of metaphysical science that can almost be fully explained by logic...nothing to do with religion or superstition.
It adopts the principles of balances (Yin and Yang). Humans have for centuries lived within the flow of nature, Feng Shui is based on this.
Although the magnetic needle was known to the Chinese for over 3000 years, it was not until the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) that a kind of Luopan for direction and time called "Si Nan" was invented. Then "Si Nan" changed into "Si Pan" in the Han Dynasty.
An increase in the maritime activities during the Song Dynasty (960-1279AD) led to further development of the magnetic compass.
A dramatic change in the design of the Luopan took place during the South Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD). The Correct Needle was combined with the Seam Needle to create the forerunner of the Luopan. From then on, Luopan is mainly for divination of Fengshui, that's why it's called Fengshui Compass.
Wooden luopan is only made at Wan'an Town, Xiu'ning County, Huangshan City. For hundreds of years, Wan'an Luopan has been famous at home and abroad due to its fine and accurate craftsmanship. There are many types of luopan made at Wan'an, of them are three major category: San He luopan, San Yuan luopan and Zhong He luopan.
There used to be three outstanding loupan workshops, namely Wu lu-heng, Fang xiu-shui and Hu ru-yi. One loupan made by Wu lu-heng is still on display at China History Museum. During Anti-Janpanese War, only Wu lu-heng Workshop survived, but all is banned during culture revolution. Later this three one renewed their production in 1980s and 1990s, and attract many tourists and dealers from home and abroad
Feng Shui theories used to perform these corrections form either part of the Form School or Compass School. The Form School researches the environment and dwellings, seeking to choose those that would enhance their position. Based on the concept of the celestial animals, the Black Tortoise provides support to the back, the Green Dragon dominates the left, the White Tiger rules the right and the Red Phoenix guards the front. The Form School (also known as Ti Li) converges on landscapes, land contours, land formations, building structures and the overall-surrounding environment.
One of the most popular Feng Shui Masters of the Tang Dynasty was Master "Yang Yun Sang" who is also known as one of the founding fathers of "Yang Feng Shui". His generosity flowed to the poor and the downtrodden that he helped avoid natural catastrophes and mishaps using his vast knowledge in form school Feng Shui. The title given to him by the public "Yang the Savior" was well deserved as was the respect showered on him by those he helped. Coupled with the advanced theories of the Flying Stars Feng Shui, the form school assumes its most potent application in the present world.
The Compass School, so named because of the need for a compass and directions, relies on TWO distinct theories.
The 8 MANSIONS School (Par Chai) represents a powerful, but static, school of thought emphasizing on an individual's auspicious and inauspicious directions. In this school, people are classed either as an Eastern Group or Western Group person. These 2 groups have individual distinct auspicious and inauspicious directions.