Feng shui (pronounced fung-shway or fung-shooy) was created as an ancient Chinese system, a combination of geography and astronomy, which encourages use of aesthetics and architecture to enhance the quality of living.

Literally, "feng shui" means "wind and water", reflecting its foundation in the flow of the invisible energy chi, which is affected by the five ancient elements earth, fire, metal, water, and wood.  Chi's effect can be positive or negative, and its behavior is influenced by matters such as age, climate, location, and shape.

The practice of feng shui involves placing objects so as to minimize negative chi and encourage positive chi, while balancing the giving energy of yang with the receiving energy of yin.  The use of the five elements earth, fire, metal, water, and wood is also associated with the eight directions of the compass rose (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, and NW).  The elements interact in certain ways, such as earth enhancing metal, and they are associated with certain color, designs, shapes, and texture.  The combination of these influences has resulted in there being many rules, solutions, and effects.  Thus there are many techniques and styles being used.

Although it is preferable to apply feng shui when something is being created, such as when a building is being designed, there are also methods available to make corrections.  For example, it is simpler to design and build a doorway in a desirable location, but if that was not done then correction is generally simpler than having carpenters move a doorway.