Last updated on March 12, 2023
Flying star is an ancient Chinese practice that involves the use of energy, or Qi, to harmonize a living or working space. In this practice, the geometric center, and/or Qi center of the house in Feng Shui, of a floor plan plays a crucial role in determining the flow of energy within a space and determining how it affects the inhabitants. Additionally, many remedies depend on a precise 15-degree direction to work.
Consequently, after identifying the sitting and facing orientations, defining the precise starting point for drawing and superimposing the pie chart over the layout of the home is regarded as the second-most pivotal point in a home audit.
We will discuss and illustrate how to find the center of your home for Feng Shui correctly. Finding the correct geometric qi center (Lì Jí – 立極) is the foundation for all subsequent computations and remedy placements for the star energy sectors. As there are many different forms of building structures, finding the center is not as easy as it seems.
Why is the Geometric Center, or Qi Center, so Important?
The Qi center of a structure is represented by the heaven’s heart of the energy flow in this space. It is the source of all other energies in the house, formed from heavenly and earthly qi after it was confined in the structure at the time of construction.
It serves as the reference point for all other energy influences within. I like to compare it to throwing a stone into water. When the stone makes contact with the water’s surface, the energy gains momentum and moves outward, creating directional qi rings. The impact of the stone has long since faded, yet its influence is still present. The same can be said for the heavenly and earthly qi, which become imprinted into the structure’s space, forming the permanent construction energy of the dwelling.
The concept of annual star and the permanent construction period influences behaves differently as my earlier “water ring” illustration. Given that qi flows from “outside-in” toward the Feng Shui heaven’s heart of the house, qi is constantly seeking a point of reference to affix it to. In this instance, the Feng Shui center of the house accomplishes this by determining the different annual or period energies within the eight directional energy sections of the space (pie chart).
Why not use the Nine Palace Grid Method instead?
To help you understand this better, energy does not move in a square pattern but rather in directional ways. This is simply how nature operates on a universal scale in our cosmos.
Furthermore, according to the 9 Palace Grid system method, it suggests that the Feng Shui center of the house sector (middle section) is equivalent in size to that of all the other sections. This is clearly incorrect and a widely held misconception. This method is best suited for educational and illustrative purposes only and should not be implemented for real-life audit applications.
How to Locate the Qi Center of a Floor Plan
The geometric center of a floor plan is significantly influenced by the geometry of the structure. The typical forms and guidelines for locating the Feng Shui center of the home are provided below. This allows for precise calculations of the impact of energy flow throughout the home.
Please do not mix up the qi center and the physical center of the house in Feng Shui. Consequently, they are quite distinct and shouldn’t be utilized together.
It is important to note that the true qi center can actually be very different from the geometric center, as energy might have its own behavioral flow inside a specific space. The flow of energy, which takes the path of least resistance, may change significantly when encountering an open space in comparison with a closed, constrained area. Understanding this principle is key since it is the foundation for many more complex remedy techniques.
The Qi center could be where your own Karma resides in the Dao, a place that energizes you.
Given all of the possible locations for the true center, there would almost certainly never be a conclusive answer to find. We might get enlighten soon in Period 9, which is when humans can develop a deeper understanding of spirituality, but for now, it’s best to concentrate on the geometric center of the space.
Square and Rectangular Structures
Square and rectangular geometries are considered to be the most stable in terms of energy flow. It is the best choice for a living or working environment because it is harmonic and balanced. In this way, finding the center is really simple. The steps listed below can be used to find the floor plan’s geometric center:
- Measure the length and width of the floor plan.
- Determine the midpoint of the length and width by dividing each dimension by 2.
- Plot the midpoint on a graph and draw a line connecting the midpoint of each dimension.
- The point at which the two lines converge is the Qi center of the floor plan.
L-Shape Structures
L-shape structures are characterized by a sharp angle that can divert the flow of energy. In these structures, the Qi center is located somewhere at the intersection of the two arms of the L shape. To find the center point of an L-shaped structure in Feng Shui, the following steps can be taken:
- Start by dividing the structure into two smaller shapes, such as rectangles, to find the centroid of each rectangle.
- Determine the length and width of each shape and mark the center of each rectangle with “1” and “2”.
- Draw a connective line between the two rectangular center marks (“1” and “2”)
The exact geometric chi center of the house is probably located exactly halfway between these two rectangular center markers.
It’s important to note that the geometric center of the house in Feng Shui is not the same as the actual center of the structure. The calculation may require validation, and an experienced interpretation from a classically trained Feng Shui consultant is advised.
Triangle shape structures
The center of a triangular structure is determined by finding the point where the three corners of the triangle converge.
Follow these steps to locate a triangle structure’s Qi center:
- Identify the triangle’s three corners: These can be the building’s three principal corners.
- Now find the exact midway point of each triangle side.
- Connect each side’s halfway point to the triangle’s opposite corner to establish its center.
- The geometric center of the building is most likely where the three lines intersect.
Considering that the qi center is most likely in an open space, the floor layout can help determine whether the geometric and qi centers are identical for Feng Shui reasons. If we deal with irregular triangular shapes, we might have to dynamically adjust the center point.
More irregular forms
We use the same principle as before for narrow or boxy irregular-shaped buildings: superimpose an imaginary square box over the floor plan and connect two lines to each corner across. The crossing of the line denotes the structure’s qi center.
Structures with Extensions and Missing Corners
If there is a missing section, we extend our box past the external wall and into the empty space. In the event that we encounter a missing section, we extend further our imaginary box beyond the exterior wall and into the open area.
Common guidelines to follow:
- Rule 1: Include only the enclosed living spaces that are connected by a same roof. In order to accurately pinpoint the home’s qi center, any open space, such a patio, balcony, or car park, should be ignored.
- Rule 2: Typically, when determining the center, we do not take extensions into account.
- Rule 3: If there is a missing area, we draw an imaginary line outside of the walls and include the missing area.
- Rule 4: We do not factor the neighbor’s unit into the calculation of the qi center for an apartment or independent office space.
- Rules 5 -20: There are many additional advanced rules to worry about which would exceed this post
Instead of making generalizations, it is best to assess each situation individually on a case-by-case basis.
Looking beyond finding the center of qi:
There are certain advanced Feng Shui techniques that can be used once the qi center of the house has been identified. The building’s qi center should serve as the initial point of reference for the 24 mountains chart. The eight main energy sections can now be distributed over the floorplan using the 24-mountains chart. Additionally, based on the Feng Shui house sitting orientation, the three subsections (1, 2, and 3) identify the precise remedy and enhancement placements.
Feng Shui Home Center Design flaws
The qi center is 90% negative by nature, so it’s better to leave it alone in a wide-open area with little activity. I’ll give some prime examples of what to absolutely avoid below:
Feng Shui Stairs in the Center of House:
Staircases in general, but particularly spiral ones, where the energy swirls up and down, are extremely unfavorable if found in the center of the house. For example, the presence of star 3 in the center of a Period 8 house facing S2 can already cause a number of legal issues and general misconceptions.
Now imaging having a spiral staircase located here. The negative characteristics of star 3 would be greatly amplified by the energy field’s twisting and swirling. Legal disputes could erupt frequently for the owners.
Feng Shui Fireplace in Center of House
A facing SW1 or SW2 house built in period 8 has the notorious flying star combination 2-5 or 5-2 (double earth) in the home’s center. According to the 5 Elements Theory, a fireplace that is actively used during the winter is like creating your own indoor out-of-control wildfire disaster. As fire further enhances the bad earth stars in the center, extreme health issues for every family member are imminent. Of course, it won’t be harmful if you only utilize it as a decorative object. Generally speaking, a functioning fireplace shouldn’t be located in the center of the house since the fire’s energy is simply too strong.
Kitchen in Center of House Feng Shui
Having a kitchen in the center of the house in Feng Shui is also one of the most widely acknowledged design flaws. If you’re looking for a home and encounter this type of layout, it’s best to keep searching for another property. Relocating the entire kitchen, or at the very least the stove and any culinary appliances like an oven, is the only way to resolve the problem. The strong energy from the fire element makes it difficult to maintain a harmonious energy flow throughout the entire home.
Feng Shui Bathroom Center of House
Advanced Feng Shui practitioners also advise against having a bathroom in the center of the home. As mentioned earlier, the majority of center energies are negative. An active bathroom will further intensify this negative force. A windowless bathroom in the heart of the home makes it difficult to ventilate the excessive moisture outside. Mildew and an unsanitary environment may result from this.
Feng Shui Center of House Decor
The center is a little dot that doesn’t take up any psychical space, as you should have observed if you’ve read this far. Now consider this: how would you beautify a little speck of nonexistent space? Unrealistic right! This is just one more illustration of the numerous black hat Feng Shui myths that are circulating online. The only action you ought to take is to leave it undisturbed in a quiet, open area.
Summary:
It is vital to comprehend how energy flow works. Finding the right Feng Shui center for your home is relatively easy if you have a basic understanding of the concept. If you are unsure, especially with irregularly shaped structures, it is best to consult with an expert to further advance surveying the Feng Shui of the home.