The Luo Pan
An ancient tool that keeps evolving
The Traditional Luo Pan
The traditional Chinese Luo Pan is an ancient algorithmic computer much like a slide rule, which many of us used in school prior to the arrival of electronic calculators.
The Luo Pan includes a central compass surrounded by concentric rings that measure the heavenly and earthly energies connected with a landform or structure such as a home or business. The number of rings around the compass and the specific measurements they take are determined by the Feng Shui School associated with each style of Luo Pan. Measurements can be made to help assess the influence of energy based on periods such as the traditional Chinese 20-year period, as well as yearly, monthly, daily or hourly. These measurements can be made to determine the qualities of the landform, the placement of the structure on the land, the overall structure itself, each of the rooms within the structure and how they are all affected by the passage of time.
The intricate nature of the geomantic compass or Luo Pan can give some students and practitioners fits as they try to obtain accurate compass readings, navigate the rings and produce a clear and concise analysis of a plot of land or structure. A thorough understanding of the device depends on the skill of the instructor or Master who teaches its use and the effort put forth by the student to study and grasp this intricate and very ancient science.
For instance, using a Luo Pan, one determines the Gua or energy numbers of the occupants of the space and also the exact compass direction for the front door and sitting and facing directions of the structure. Traditionally, the Luo Pan was also used to select auspicious burial sites. A complex grid weaves itself into existence as each additional measurement reveals the numerous energetic qualities that will have an influence on the various sections of the space for each of the occupants. Accurate data gathering, list and grid making, compass readings, Gua numbers, energetic quality determination and all of the other information available with the help of the Luo Pan, in the end, should tell the intricate details of how that space will influence the occupants over a period of time.
From the information gathered, the beneficial and detrimental features of a space can be determined. Activations to enhance the positive energies of the space and cures for the negative influences are recommended according to traditional Feng Shui principles. Suggestions are made to situate furniture, make sleeping arrangements and enhance those features that support each of the occupants. Similarly, the detrimental forces are diminished by rearranging furnishings and placing cures, such as colors, objects and other materials, which are known to weaken the negative energies by draining them of their influence. All of this is facilitated by the computations made on the Luo Pan.
The Luo Pan compass has been evolving continually since the first compass was developed in China some 2200 years ago.
