Our glossary is so large we have broken it into smaller sections for your ease of use. Feel free to click on the link for the first letter of the term you are seeking.
Tai Chi or Tai Ji
Grand, ultimate. According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Tai Chi is] 1) (martial) several Taoist martial arts based on Taoist theory. Generally, these arts are practiced very slowly; 2) (metaphysical) the first division of Wu Chi, it represents the primal separation into yin and yang.
Tai Sui
Is translated into Grand Duke Jupiter. It is the direction related to the year, i.e., tiger direction in a tiger year, part of the NE. It is generally acknowledged that it causes harm to disturb the earth or perform construction in these directions.
Tao (pronounced dao)
It was philosopher Lao Tze that originated Taoism after sitting on a green buffalo where he experienced an unexplainable magical moment. He saw the sky turning purple and then the buffalo also turned purple. It was then he achieved his wisdom of philosophy and started writing it into scriptures and Tao Te Ching was written (a book about moral philosophy). According to legend passed down from the ancients, it is said that Shen Tao wrote the first Tao in China during the sixth century B.C.
Taoism, also Daoism
The philosophical foundation work of most major religions in Asia. Although Taoism is not a religion but rather a way of being, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Shintoism evolved out of Taoism. Taoism professes ìnon credoî; ìdo not believe anything and accept all thingsî and is largely based on the observation of the natural order.
Ten Thousand Year Calendar
Begins 2698 BCE on the first day of the reign of Huang Di, the ìYellow Emperor.î Describes the movement of chi for ten thousand years and is an essential tool in the creation of Four Pillars charts and other forms of divination. Each volume covers 100 years of information.
Three Afflictions
Inauspicious energies that move to a different section of the compass each year.
Three Door Method
The BTB Feng Shui method of superimposing the bagua on a site, building, or room relative to the entry (Mouth of Chi) by aligning the entry with one of the three trigrams Ken (Knowledge), Kan (Career) or Qian (Helpful People). The space is analyzed and remedied from these bagua positions.
Three Harmonies method, also called San He
A method using the astrological 120-degree relationship to create harmonious relationships. There are sets of three compass positions 120 degrees apart, represented by their corresponding set of three animals of the zodiac, that are in harmony with each other. This system is used to determine those with whom a person is astrologically in resonance or harmony.
Three killings, also called San Sha
One of the Three Afflictions, it is an inauspicious energy needing to be remedied that moves to a different 90-degree sector of the compass each year. You can face this direction but should never have it behind you.
Three Secrets, also called Three Secret Reinforcements
A transcendental and ritualized use of thought, action, and speech to imbue Feng Shui adjustments with conscious intention.
Three Treasures
See San cai.
Tien chai Zhe
Heaven luck.
Tien Yi
An area within a building known as doctor from heaven. This location cures illness and improves health. When in balance, itís the best location for you when ill.
Tiger, also see Tui.
A symbolic animal in form school represented by the West, or the right side of a lot (facing as the lot faces). A tiger in the terrain is auspicious as it balances the dragon. It should not be larger than the dragon.
Time
The linear conception of distance traveled by consciousness. Several of the methods of time calculation include Local Apparent Time, Local Mean Time, Standard Time, and Daylight-Savings Time. When determining the “double-hour” of birth in Chinese astrology, for the hour and day pillar use standard time.
Ting
See Ding.
Tortoise, also see Kan.
A symbolic animal in form school represented by the North, or back of a lot. A tortoise in the terrain is auspicious and represents the mountain (stability).
Traditional Feng Shui
See Classic Feng Shui.
Transcendental solution, also called cure, remedy
In BTB Feng Shui, a spiritual or ritualistic solution used to complement and reinforce the mundane, common sense solutions. BTB Feng Shui combines transcendental (yin) solutions with mundane (yang) solutions to achieve balance and harmony.
Trigram
The eight possible combinations of symbols consisting of a combination of three yin (dashed) or yang (solid) lines. Each trigram is associated with phenomenal aspects of the world expressed as a direction, an element, a number, body organs, a color, a family member and other life aspects, and make up the essential components of “Eight House” or “Eight Mansions” Feng Shui. Each trigram is a coded description of a quality of chi. The eight trigrams are an essential component of all Baguas used in Feng Shui and can appear in two different version; the “Early Heaven Sequence” and the “Later Heaven Sequence.” When stacked in pairs hexagrams are formed allowing for the 64 combinations of the I Ching. Each person has a personal trigram related to their gender and birth date called their Ming Gua.
Tui, also Dui, Lake, ìthe Joyousî
See Dui.
Tung Tísu
Also, see Chinese almanac. 10,000-year calendar begins 2698 BCA on the first day of the reign of Huang Di (Yellow Emperor). It describes the movement of chi for this period and is an essential tool in the creation of Four Pillars charts.
Turtle
See Tortoise.
Twelve Zodiac Hours
Each Chinese hour is two western hours long and is given the name of one of the twelve animals of the Asian zodiac.
Twenty- Four Mountains
Consist of 12 earthly branches, eight heavenly stems, and four corner trigrams. There are six water houses, six firehouses, six wood houses and six metal houses.
Twenty-Four Seasons
Some refer to the Twenty-Four Joints and Chi as the “Twenty-Four Seasons”. Each Joint and Chi has its own significance. The Twenty-Four Seasons start approximately on February 4th with Li Chun and continue at regular fifteen-day intervals throughout the year. The four seasons begin at the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes and the Summer and Winter Solstices. The exact time when each particular Joint or Chi starts depends on the Month Stem and Month Branch.
Twenty-year Cycle
See San Yuan.
Vedic
A method of Feng Shui founded in India and based on astrology.
Wang (Mandarin)-wang4
Translates as prosperous, vigorous.
Wang Shan (Mandarin)
Translates as prosperous mountain.
Wang Shan, Wang Shui
A type of building determined with flying stars. It is Chinese for good mountain (people energy) and good water (prosperity). Occupants are happy with their families and experience prosperity. Businesses have good people energy (employees and clients) and are affluent (donít struggle for stature and wealth).
Water, also called Kan
One of five elements used as a remedy or corrective. It also represents the North on the compass and bagua. Colors symbolized by blue and black. This element implies flow, life path, nourishment, and communication.
Water Star
The star represented as a number denoting the quality of chi that represents the facing direction (front) of a structure in Flying Stars. The water Star is associated with the energies of money.
Wei, also called Sheep, Goat, or Ram
The eighth Earthly Branch in the cycle if twelve life energies. It is representative of friendly, calm energy. It is used in Chinese Astrology and Four Pillars.
West
A direction on the compass. Also, see Tui and metal.
West life group
Northern hemisphere individuals or buildings having a gua of two, eight, six or seven are said to belong to this group. The associated directions are the Southwest, Northeast, Northwest and West. All members and buildings belonging to this group share these directions as auspicious.
Western
Implies processes and terms founded or practiced in the Western hemisphere. In most cases, it more specifically means the United States.
Western Feng Shui
Also, see Black Sect and Contemporary Western Feng Shui. A method of Feng Shui practiced widely in the United States.
White Tiger
A symbolic animal of Form School and one of the four Landform Guardians. In the ideal cradle or armchair position of Form School, it refers to rolling hills or other support to the right of a home.
Wind Chimes
A common Feng Shui remedy. Considered to create very positive chi, wind chimes are appropriate in a number of circumstances. Metal chimes are often used where moving metal or strong metal is needed.
Wood, also called Chen or Hsun
One of five elements used as a remedy or corrective. It also represents East and SE directions on the compass and bagua. Colors symbolized by green or living plants. This element implies growth and strength.
Wu, also called We
The fifth heavenly stem in the cycle of ten, denoting yang earth, based on the productive cycle of the five elements as they go through their yin and yang phases. It refers to the more active and aggressive aspects of the earth element. It is used in Four Pillars astrology.
Wu, also called Horse
See Horse.
Wu Ji
According to the Scholar Warrior Dictionary, [Wu Chi is] no extremity. A boundless, homogeneous state. According to Taoist scripture, after the creation, the universe condensed into this state.
Wu Kwei
The area within a building that can bring fires, robbery or unemployment. It can also be the cause of family misunderstandings and arguments.
Wuxing
This term has been conveniently translated as five elements or five phases. The word “Wu” means five. To single out the word “Xing” and try to explain it is futile. “Wu Xing” is actually the short form of “Wu Zhong Liu xing Zhi chi” or the five types of chi dominating at different times. Water dominates in winter, wood in spring, fire in summer, metal in autumn. At the intersection between two seasons, the transitional period is dominated by the earth. Common translations are five agents, five qualities, five properties and five courses.
Xia – xia4
To descend; down, below, low.
Xia Shui
Below water, see double-sitting house.
Xin, also called Hsin
The eighth heavenly stem in the cycle of ten, denoting yin metal, based on the productive cycle of the five elements as they go through their yin and yang phases. It refers to the more inward and recessive aspects of the metal element and is used in Four Pillars astrology.
Xing Dao Xiang, or Double Facing
See Double Facing.
Xing Dao Zuo, or Double-Sitting
See Double Sitting.
Xuan
Dark, obscure, profound, secret, time; progressing time; Xuan is a concept that describes an unknown or deep sense of meaning and is often used in a philosophical contest.
Xuan Kong
See Flying Stars. Literally translated as time and space. A method of geomancy.
Xue, also called Hsueh
The Feng Shui spot, the ideal location.
Xun, also called Hsun
One of the eight trigrams. Symbolizes softwood; wind, SE; the number four; softwood element; eldest daughter; thighs and hips; spring; late morning; and rectangles.
Yan Nian, also called Yen Nien
Harmony between people; relationship harmony and the third best location in Eight House Feng Shui.
Yang
Yang energy is the active half of the yin-yang concept. Yang is active, male, bright, lightweight, heat, upward/rising, noon, dry, sun, life, summer, fire, directing, South. It should be balanced with similarly opposite levels of Yin energy.
Yang Chai Zhe
Houses for the living.
Yang House Feng Shui
The Feng Shui study of houses for the living.
Yi
The second heavenly stem in the cycle of ten, denoting yin wood, based on the productive cycle of the five elements as they go through their yin and yang phases. It refers to the more inward and recessive aspects of the wood element and is used in Four Pillars astrology.
Yigua
See Ba Zhai.
Yi Jing, also called Yijing
See I Ching.
Yin
Yin energy is the passive half of the yin-yang concept. Yin is still, female, dark, heavy, cool, downward/falling, midnight, wet, moon, death, winter, water, receptive, North. It should be balanced by an equal presence of yang energy.
Yin, also called Tiger
The third earthly branch in the cycle of twelve life energies, representative of the energies of moving ahead rapidly. It is used in Chinese Astrology and Four Pillars.
Yin Chai Zhe
Translated as ìdark house,î meaning tomb or grave site.
Yin House Feng Shui
The Feng Shui study of houses for the dead (burial sites).
Yin/yang
A concept from the I Ching denoting the opposite polarities that came into being when the universe came into manifestation; the Daoist idea that unites all opposites as complimentary inseparable forces.
You, also called Yu, Rooster
The tenth earthly branch in the cycle of twelve life energies, representative of receptive energy. It is used in Chinese astrology and Four Pillars.
Yu
Space.
Yuan
1) Period of sixty years, San Yuan. 2) Unit of Chinese Currency.
Yun
Luck, which fluctuates with time and can be predicted.
Zen
To figure out something by meditation. To empty the space.
Zen Shan
A perfect moment of insight and complete understanding,
Zhen, Thunder, ìthe Arousingî
One of the eight trigrams (guas or quadrants) of the bagua, associated with the east, spring, the number three, the element wood, the color green, the eldest son, family, health and other life aspects. Zhen is denoted by two dashed lines over one solid line.
Zi, also called the Rat
The first earthly branch in the cycle of 12 life energies, representative of reproductive energy. It is used in Chinese astrology and Four Pillars.
Zi- Ping
See Four Pillars of Destiny.
Zodiac, Asian
A diagram, consisting of twelve animal archetypes that are metaphoric representations of twelve types of chi, which are linked to the cyclical movements of the heavens and earthly relationships. Although the archetypes have existed for thousands of years it is not certain when they were given their animal names. The twelve are: Rat=Zi; Ox or Buffalo=Chou; Tiger=Yin; Rabbit=Mao; Dragon=Chen; Snake=Si; Horse=Wu; Ram, Goat, Sheep or Ram=Wei; Monkey=Shen; Rooster=You; Dog=Hsu; and Pig or Boar=Hai.
Zodiac, Western
A diagram divided into the twelve astrological signs, each bearing the name of a constellation. The twelve are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
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