The Chinese Feng Shui compass is a magnetically polarized tool, used to indicate the flow and harmony in the world and the spaces around us. Ever since its creation in ancient China, Feng Shui masters have taken its advice in the use of materials and discovering the hub of energy inside any building.

Unlike the Northward-bound compass from the western world, the Chinese compass points to the South. After an experiment with a metal spoon, the ancients derived the true planetary source from which the magnetic flow originates, the South pole, and designed their compass to lead toward it.

In Chinese, the compass is referred to as the Lo-Pan, meaning the 'bowl of everything' or 'bowl that opens the gate to all mysteries in the universe'. Drawing from the literal coordinates and surrounding landscaping of a building, the Lo-Pan is utilized in leading the way to achieving harmony with the local flow of energy, rather than moving against it. It also can be useful in placing certain objects of furnishings in particular places where the energy could use it the most, and to remedy a troublesome doorway, perhaps, if the building was constructed without the use of a compass.

Because the compass is magnetically driven, it can sense metals, and its readings are often distorted by the overwhelming presence of them. This can be a sign of a potential portal for negatives, and a counselor utilizing the Lo-Pan may suggest a removal of some of these metals to maintain greater harmony with nature. It is believed that if the magnetic flow of the earth is blocked, an area of stagnation has occurred, and will cause an ill effect on the people nearby.

Qi, or Chi, is the name of the planet's life force in Feng Shui. Chi must be given proper passageway through every space to fill it with light energy, and push away any negative thoughts or powers. Lucky bamboo and coins can be used as additives to encourage specific kinds of Chi, such as fortune, into the home and residents' lives.

As a divining tool, the compass is precise, and all the user must do is face the area of desired assessment, and consult the direction of the needle. The compass face is divided into elements, or dragons, based on the polar direction, and these elements correlate to certain energies. If the element shown is, in fact, the desired matching element for this specific area, then balance is achieved.

The Lo-Pan has been used in China for centuries, leading as the guiding force in constructing buildings, and even the directions of entire cities. The Chinese Feng Shui compass takes on a few different forms to better suit varying personalities and experience, allowing anyone to access the ancient wisdom of beauty in nature.

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