HKBU POLS 3620 Presentation: Astrology and Divination of Europe and China

POLS 3620 Contemporary Europe and Asia

Koo Cheuk Yiu, Sandy (09015957)Yuen Montie Ming Chu (10014136)

Lam Ting Lok (09017321)

Astrology and Divination of Europe and China

- Comparison of Astrology and Feng Shui-

“The greatest accomplishment of a thinker is to comprehend the things one can

comprehend, but respect in silence the things

that one cannot comprehend.”-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Koo Cheuk Yiu, Sandy (09015957)

Astrology


Feng Shui

風Wind

水Water


Inhabitant Environment

Positive Qi


Survey on ‘Divination and astrology in Europe and China’

Yuen Montie Ming Chu 10014136

Asian 58%

European42%


HoroscopeI would say my horoscopeis usually:

Accurate + Sometimes Accurate73%Yuen Montie Ming Chu 10014136

I have made conscious decisions based on my perception on astrology:

>10 times5-9 times1-4 timesNone

42%

52%


Horoscope

Feng Shui• I have made conscious decisions

based on my perception on feng shui:

>10 times5-9 times1-4 timesNone

73%27%


I regard feng shui as superstition:

Out of 37 of the European respondents,35 of them regard

feng shui as superstition.Yuen Montie Ming Chu 10014136

Feng Shui

So, why people believe in it


• Information and assurance about the future• A way to be absolved of their

current situation and future decisions• Daily prediction: vague, can

apply to anyoneYuen Montie Ming Chu 10014136

Social Reasons• Part of our culture• The media also helps to promote a belief

in astrology


Cultural Aspect• To achieve harmonious relations with the

environment to increase the quality of life• The concept of ‘becoming one with the Divine’

in the Chinese philosophy


Influence of Astrology and Feng ShuiPolitical / Cultural / Social & Commercial

Political Influences of Astrology and Feng Shui

• Crucial role in the countries

• Significances on modern political arenas

Past

Now


Political: Astrology In Europe• Trusted by the Western rulers and

political figures

• Personal advisers

Elizabeth I (Queen of

England and Ireland)

John Dee (astrologer)


Political: Feng Shui In China• Locations of capital

• Xi'an (Capital of 13 Dynasties)

• Loyang (Capital of 13 Dynasties)

• Nanjing (Capital of 6 Dynasties)

• Beijing (Capital of 5 Dynasties)


• Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty (明十三陵 ) in Northern Beijing

• ‘Green dragon on the left, white tiger on the right’(左青龍，右白虎 )


Political: Feng Shui In China


Cultural: Astrology In Europe• Publications• Columns on Newspapers

and magazines• Astrology magazines• Courses and lessons of astrology


Cultural: Astrology In China• Western Astrology has introduced into

China since 1980s

• Chinese publications

• Books and columns

• Interests of nowadays teenagers


Cultural: Astrology In China• Revival of Chinese Astrology

• Zi Wei Dou Shu (紫微斗數 ) by Taoist Lu Dongbin (呂洞賓 ) (796 AD-Unknown)

• Zi Wei Dou Shu regained the awareness


Cultural: Feng Shui In China • Cultural icon of China and Hong Kong• Feng Shui - understanding and

impressions of China• ‘Megacities’ documentary television series

appearing on the National Geographic Channel


Cultural: Feng Shui In China


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xs3H4kIDP0

(Starting from 4:45)





Cultural: Feng Shui In China • Big market in Chinese book publications• Feng Shui columns• TV programmes • Feng Shui Masters –

TV, movie and even music stars

Peter, So Man Fung

Mak Ling Ling



Master Mak Ling Ling featured with a local hip hop group

Master Mak Ling Ling featured with a local hip hop group on a song called Feng Sung Shui Hei (風生水起 ) (Good Feng Shui)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLoNOz9JlaQ




Cultural: Feng Shui In China

• Courses

• Feng Shui could not gain the attentions by the universities

• Talks and seminars but not regular courses


Feng Shui Cultural Interactions In Europe• Missionaries coming to China during

Ming Dynasty• British missionaries Ernest J. Eitel –

Feng Shui: The Science of Sacred Landscape in Old China (1873)


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0907791182/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Feng Shui Cultural Interactions In Europe• Collected into the Oxford Dictionary

during the 1990s• Brand new concept• Harmony and connection

between Man and Nature(天人合一 )


Cultural: Feng Shui In Europe

• Feng Shui publications in Europe• More academic, professional and profound• Geography, psychology, architecture,

environmentalology and designing• International conferences, workshops and

study tours



Astrology In Europe

• For Business• Business-financial Astrology• E.g. Banks, Boutiques

• As Business• Books, Consultation firms

£600,000 Koo Cheuk Yiu, Sandy (09015957)

Astrology In China• As Business• Products designed with horoscope

signs• Popular Books, Hotlines, Internet

The 2nd Shanghai Constellation Culture Expo


Feng Shui In China• For Business• Universal practice e.g. Bank,

Casino• ↑Reputation, as Marketing tool

managers practise Feng Shui though they treated it as

superstition”

“1/3


Feng Shui In China• In Architecture


Feng Shui In Europe


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6Rv6G5JxQY





Feng Shui In Europe• In Architecture and Interior design• BA Headquarter


Feng Shui In Europe• For Business• Choice of furniture, sitting

arrangement• ↓Office strains → prospect


Conclusion• Illustrate: Globalization of Culture• Successfully immigrated into

foreign culture merge well• Cross-Cultural Communication

Trend will go on


Spiritual

HKBU POLS 3620 Presentation: Astrology and Divination of Europe and China