Between Fengshui and Neighbors: Case Studies of Participant-Led House-Making in Rural East China

Figures & data

Figure 1 Eastern coastal China, showing the location of Zhejiang province. Although Zhejiang is one of China’s most developed regions, the mountainous topography of southwest Zhejiang has allowed the preservation of traditional agricultural culture. Google Maps.

Figure 2 Wuyi county belongs to the prefecture-level city of Jinhua, which is expanding rapidly. The transformation of Chengwang Village is the result of this expansion. Xinwu Village, together with Tao Village where fengshui practitioner Tao Zhencheng lives, retain characteristics of “natural villages” in Wuyi’s vast rural area. Map drawn by Youcao Ren, 2020.

Figure 3 A fengshui compass is held horizontally in relation to a house. Tao the fengshui practitioner is reading the notes on the concentric rings and deciding on auspicious orientations. Photograph by Youcao Ren, 2017.

Figure 4 Jin’s house is in an area that is relatively densely built up, with some buildings just 1.5–2 meters apart. If Jin were to make full use of his site, one of the corners of his house would point directly toward his neighbor’s gate. Residents believed this would cause harm. Intervention from a fengshui practitioner was therefore required. Photograph and drawing by Youcao Ren, 2017.

Figure 5 Tao’s house survey involved Jin and his neighbors. Together they actively negotiated possible solutions under Tao’s guidance. Photograph by the author, 2017.

Figure 6 Jin’s neighbor in the process of adjusting his chimney as directed by Tao, to avoid conflict in Jin’s new house. Photograph by Youcao Ren, 2017.

Figure 7 “Qishu,” an earth contract, is written with an ink brush on red paper to show its ritual significance. Photograph by Youcao Ren, 2017.

Figure 8 The auspicious symbol of a mirror, a ruler, and pair of scissors tied together is believed to offer protection against the alterations to the outside environment when hung on the wall of a building. Photograph by Youcao Ren, 2017.

Figure 9 Hong Fu’s yard was covered with a shield, as directed by Tao, to protect the house from the negative energy caused by her neighbor’s new house wing. An auspicious fengshui symbol of a mirror, a ruler, and pair of scissors tied together was hung above Hong’s bedroom door facing the courtyard. Photographs by Youcao Ren, 2018.