Pattern Two: Feng Shui of Bow-Shaped Water, Reverse Bow Roads, and T-Intersections

In the previous lecture, we explored the “Four Waters Converge” pattern, where streams from all directions merge to form a single body of water, concentrating vital energy (sheng qi, 生气). Today, we’ll discuss another common water pattern called bow-shaped water (gong xin shui, 弓形水). This pattern naturally forms at river bends (see Figure 1) and is often intentionally designed in Feng Shui as a protective feature known as Golden City Water (jin cheng shui, 金城水).

Understanding "Golden City Water" in Feng Shui

The term “Golden” represents metal, and according to the Five Elements (Wu Xing) theory, the energy of metal generates the energy of water, creating a positive energy transformation. The term “City” reflects the grandeur of the water’s flow, signifying the abundance of sheng qi it carries. The greater the water flow, the more potent the qi.

To better understand this, let’s examine its application in classical Chinese architecture using the Golden Water River within the Forbidden City in Beijing as an example.

The Golden Water River in the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City (also known as the Imperial Palace), located in Beijing, served as the royal residence for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties over 600 years. It features a Feng Shui river known as the Golden Water River.

The river flows into the city from the northwest corner, associated with the Gen trigram in the Former Heaven Chart, representing mountains in nature. It then flows south along the west side, turns east at the southwest corner, and exits the city at the southeast corner, corresponding to the Dui trigram, representing water (see Figure 2)

This river connects the qi fields of mountains and water, reflecting the Former Heaven Chart’s principle of harmonizing mountain and river qi, as described in the I Ching (Book of Changes). Figure 3 illustrates the Former Heaven Chart, as presented in Cary F. Baynes’ translation of the I Ching.

When the Golden Water River passes in front of the halls, it is intentionally designed with a bow-shaped curve. As shown in Figure 4, the Golden Water River flows through the most important palace in the Forbidden City, Taihe Hall. The inward arc faces the hall’s main gate, forming a Golden City Water pattern that symbolically protects the palace with auspicious qi.

Bow-Shaped Roads in Modern Life

In modern environments, bow-shaped water also applies to curved roads or bridges, which create two distinct Feng Shui energy fields:

• The side facing the inner arc has auspicious qi, often described as “Jade Belt Embracing the Waist”, a poetic depiction of harmony.

• The side facing the outer arc has inauspicious qi, referred to as “Reverse Bow Water” or “Reverse Bow Road”, which can generate harmful energy.

If your residence or office building faces a curved road with the outer arc directed toward it (Figure 5), it forms a Feng Shui pattern known as Reverse Bow Sha. The traffic flow along such a road generates a type of negative energy that impacts the building. In Feng Shui, Sha refers to harmful qi, which can be either visible or invisible. Reverse Bow Sha is one of the most common visible sha patterns found in urban environments.

Neutralizing Reverse Bow Sha

To mitigate the effects of Reverse Bow Sha, two common solutions are often used:

1. Water Features: Construct a small pond or water feature on the outer arc side to dissolve the sha energy.

2. Tree Screens: Plant a row of small trees or shrubs to block and diffuse the sha energy.

Both methods help neutralize the negative effects, fostering a more harmonious energy flow around the affected area.

T-Intersections

Another urban road pattern similar to Reverse Bow Sha is the T-intersection. The energy from oncoming traffic at the end of a T-intersection generates a direct and forceful flow of qi, which is also considered a sha. Buildings located at the junction of a T-intersection are deemed unfavorable in Feng Shui due to this disruptive energy.

A common solution, often seen in Chinese cities, is to construct a water feature, such as a decorative pond, at the end of the T-intersection. Water effectively absorbs and neutralizes the sha energy, creating a more balanced and harmonious environment.

Good and Unfavorable Water Formations

In Feng Shui, the basic characteristics of good water formations are streams that converge, flow gently and smoothly, and meander with curves, as these shapes gather sheng qi (vital energy). Conversely, unfavorable water formations are characterized by fast, straight flows that scatter in all directions, failing to gather qi.

In future lectures, I will introduce other Feng Shui water forms to further explore this fascinating topic.