顧名思義，「風水」一詞中有風有水，是中國古代研究天文、地理、環境等的學問，後來漸漸演變為人與自然的調和關係，且與個人禍福相關。在台灣，現代人常為了風水學問，四處請教專業老師，確保家中擺設、房子定位、以及應搭配的自然元素都符合風水的原則。不過，你知道除了私人住宅之外，全台灣從台北市區、台南安平、到高雄蓮池潭都可以見到風水原理的蹤跡嗎？
今天就讓遇上福摩沙教你如何用英文介紹台灣人最講究的「風水概念」！
As the name in Mandarin implies, the idea of feng shui involves wind and water. It originated as an ancient Chinese study of astronomy, geography, environment, etc., and gradually evolved into the harmony between humans and nature that affects the individual’s fortune and misfortune. Nowadays, people in Taiwan often consult feng shui masters when designing the arrangement of furniture and the orientation of houses to incorporate natural elements and follow the appropriate guidelines. In addition to interior designs, traces of feng shui principles can also be found throughout Taiwan, with examples from Taipei, Tainan, and Kaohsiung!
Keep reading this blog to understand the idea of “feng shui” in Taiwan!
｜從台北古蹟承恩門到摩天大樓101，都需要風水老師幫忙？From historic heritage to modern skyscrapers, feng shui is everywhere in Taipei!
在台北，從古蹟到現代大樓都可以看到風水的重要性！下次經過台北北門，不妨留意一下，其實城門正面並沒有對準正北方。這是因為當初建築台北城時，為了符合風水要求，建築師特意將城門向東調整，朝向台北第一高峰七星山。當時的人們相信若能依靠高山的庇佑，台北城可以更有氣勢、繁榮長久！
除了古蹟建築，全台灣第一高樓台北101也遵循了風水原理，體現了「左青龍、右白虎、後有靠」的佈局！大家下次有機會可以仔細觀察，101大樓的左右分別是四獸山和世貿中心，後方則有七星山作靠山，進出口設計則是依據「左進右出」的龍虎梯，寓意祥瑞。風水的影響在台北的建築中由此可見，在不同時代都是城市規劃重要的一環。
The principle of feng shui can be found everywhere in Taipei! Next time you pass by Taipei's North Gate (Beimen), take a moment to check the gate’s slight angle when facing north! This adjustment was made during its construction to align with feng shui principles, orienting the gate towards Taipei's highest peak, Qixing Mountain. At that time, people believed that the protection of the mountain would bring greater grandeur and prosperity to Taipei City.
On the other hand, Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan, also follows feng shui principles as it embodies the layout of “Left Green Dragon, Right White Tiger, and Back Support.” The skyscraper is flanked by Four Beasts Mountain and the World Trade Center, with Qixing Mountain as its rear support. Additionally, the interior entrances and exits are designed with a "Left Dragon, Right Tiger" staircase, symbolizing auspiciousness. Through both of these examples, we can see that feng shui's influence is evident in the urban planning of Taipei, regardless of the time period.
｜先天風水優勢別高興太早！居然會因後天人為條件而改變？Human activity can make or break good feng shui?
高雄的蓮池潭曾被視為風水寶地，但日治時期時為了修建道路，龜山被割為兩半。二戰後，山上又建了一座塔，此後，蓮池潭一帶開始滋生蚊蟲，池水還變成了紅色！這些變化被認為是在地風水被破壞的結果。為了恢復風水，當地民眾在神明的指點下興建了龍虎塔，希望藉此修補靈氣。近年來，市政府更進一步規劃古道，用意在於修復被分割的龜山，使蓮池潭重現昔日的美麗與平靜！
而在台南安平一帶，外來訪客可以常在當地房屋上看到一些嘴裡咬著劍的獅子地標，名為「劍獅」。這些「劍獅」除了作為裝飾，其實也是用來化解厄運的避邪物！傳統風水觀念中，當房屋正對馬路，形成T字形的方位時，便會形成風水學中的「路沖」。這樣的房屋坐位不僅會影響財運，還可能引發車禍！在台南安平，有著「路沖」的房子門口因此常放上「劍獅」作為驅邪避凶，希望它們保護居民免受不良影響，多年下來，「劍獅」也逐漸成為安平當地一道獨特的人文特色！
Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung was once considered a location with precious feng shui, but during the Japanese colonial period, the nearby Turtle Mountain was split in half to build a road. After World War II, a tower was erected on the mountain, leading to an increase in mosquitoes and the pond water turning red! Believing this to be the result of disrupted feng shui, the locals built the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas under divine guidance in hopes of undoing the damage. Recently, the city government has further developed ancient paths to repair the divided Turtle Mountain in an attempt to restore the feng shui and bring back the beauty and tranquility of Lotus Pond.
In Tainan's Anping area, visitors would often see decorative lions biting swords on buildings and houses. These “Sword Lions,” beyond their decorative purpose, serve as protective talismans against bad luck. According to traditional feng shui beliefs, when a house faces a road directly, forming a T-junction, it creates a “road clash.” Such positioning affects financial fortune and increases the risk of accidents. In Anping, houses with “road clashes” often display “Sword Lions” to ward off evil and protect the local residents. Through the years, “Sword Lions” have gradually become a unique feature of Anping.
｜室內修繕新手必看！ 不能不知道的風水指南 Feng shui for interior design and home renovations
在台灣，許多現代人對於居家設計與設備擺設仍然遵循基本的風水原理。首先是很多人都知道該避免的「開門見灶」，也就是從門口能直接看到廚房爐台，以免導致財運外流。其次要小心「水火相剋」，意思是指爐台不應直對水槽或冰箱，以免財運不佳或家庭不和。此外，還要避免「橫樑壓頂」，確保沙發或床上方沒有橫樑，以免居住者在日常中感到無形的壓迫感。雖然有些人可能會認為這些風水觀念過於迷信，但整體來說，這些原則都是為了創造一個和諧、舒適的居住環境而存在。
In Taiwan, the design of many modern homes still incorporates basic feng shui principles. Firstly, avoiding having the stove directly visible from the front door is important, as this is believed to lead to financial loss. Secondly, the stove should not directly face the sink or refrigerator to prevent poor financial fortune or family disharmony. Additionally, you should ensure that there are no beams above sofas or beds to avoid a sense of stress when lying down or sitting. While some might think these are superstitions, the feng shui principles exist to create a living environment that is both comfortable and relaxing for the household members.
｜外國風水學比一比：印度人也信風水嗎？Is Vastu Shastra in India also a type of feng shui?
風水不只是華人世界限定！印度風水學Vastu Shastra與台灣民間的風水理論相似，都強調建築方位、家中擺設，與人們生活習慣的重要性，更是興建印度神廟時必須遵守的準則。在印度風水學的建築應用中，最有名的例子就屬柬埔寨的歷史瑰寶吳哥窟，可以讓現代人一窺古人對於對稱學、比例學的講究與美學。
看到這裡，相信大家也認同不論文化差異性，或許也無關迷信還是實際科學，風水的概念其實都是從古至今的人們為了舒適、順遂的生活而發展出一套對於日常生活的指引。下次再聽到身旁的人談論「風水」的觀念，相信也能用不同的角度去聆聽、甚至討論呢！
The idea of feng shui is not limited to the Chinese-speaking world! In India, the Vastu Shastra is a traditional Hindu system of architecture that works similarly to Taiwan's feng shui principles. Both emphasize the importance of building orientation, layout, and daily habits and are used as a construction guideline for sacred buildings. Angkor Wat, the historical heritage of Cambodia, is a well-known example that followed the concept of Vastu Shastra concerning architectural symmetry, ratio, and aesthetics.
From the examples above, we can conclude that regardless of culture and the criticism of superstition, the concept of feng shui has been a set of guidelines developed by our ancestors throughout history to ensure a comfortable and easy life. Perhaps next time the idea of “feng shui” is brought up again in a conversation, you can join the discussion with the knowledge you learned about today!
｜Vocabulary list
Aesthetics 美感
Astronomy 天文學
Beam 橫樑
Disharmony 不和諧的
Harmony 和諧的
Orientation 方位
Superstition 迷信
Symmetry 對稱性
Talisman 護身符
To ward off 驅趕
｜參考資料
國家地理頻道，〈Feng shui〉，原文連結：https://muf.pse.is/5zckgj
三立新聞網，〈對準七星山！台北城藏國運密碼揭14.3度帝王軸線之謎〉，原文連結：https://muf.pse.is/5zck86
自由時報，〈左營舊城耆老座談會〉，原文連結：https://muf.pse.is/5zcjtq
信義居家，〈設計上常見的居家風水有哪些〉，原文連結：https://muf.pse.is/5zckuz
南亞觀察，〈認識印度的建築〉，原文連結：https://muf.pse.is/5zcjeq
你也在雙語國家政策的趨勢下，希望讓年輕學子更認識家鄉，學習以英語介紹自己生活的地方嗎？你也想設計出從外國旅客視角出發的英語導覽內容，提升志工或解說員的導覽技巧軟實力嗎？
培育你的學生或志工，向世界說自己的故事！
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