Luo Pan (罗盘)
Overview
The luo pan is a magnetic compass surrounded by concentric rings of characters, each ring a different formula. It is the instrument of the li qi branch and the physical record of how many systems have been layered onto one another.
Meaning
The compass — the instrument that carries the concentric rings of the tradition's formulas.
Traditional Interpretation
A traditional luo pan carries anywhere from a few to over thirty rings. The innermost rings are the bagua and the twenty-four directions; the outer ones belong to specific schools. Practitioners typically use only a handful of them.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What is luo pan (罗盘) in Feng Shui?
The compass — the instrument that carries the concentric rings of the tradition's formulas. The luo pan is a magnetic compass surrounded by concentric rings of characters, each ring a different formula. It is the instrument of the li qi branch and the physical record of how many systems have been layered onto one another.
Where does the term luo pan (罗盘) come from?
It belongs to the classical vocabulary of the tradition. The compass — the instrument that carries the concentric rings of the tradition's formulas. The number of rings is a record of the tradition's history rather than a measure of precision — most of the rings are lineages that no longer have independent practitioners.
How is luo pan (罗盘) read in Chinese tradition?
A traditional luo pan carries anywhere from a few to over thirty rings. The innermost rings are the bagua and the twenty-four directions; the outer ones belong to specific schools. Practitioners typically use only a handful of them. It is grouped under Metal (金) in the five-element system.
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