The short answer
Your feng shui direction is set by your kua number. Work out your kua number from your birth year and gender, then look up the four favourable sectors for that number. Those sectors are Sheng Chi (growth and success), Tian Yi (health), Yan Nian (relationships) and Fu Wei (personal growth). Use a compass to find those directions in your home.
Step 1: Calculate your kua number
Use your birth year and gender. The kua number guide has the formula and a lookup table. If you are not sure how to start, see how to find your kua.
Step 2: Look up your four favourable sectors
| Kua | Group | Sheng Chi | Tian Yi | Yan Nian | Fu Wei |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East | Southeast | East | South | North |
| 2 | West | Northeast | West | Northwest | Southwest |
| 3 | East | South | North | Southeast | East |
| 4 | East | North | South | East | Southeast |
| 6 | West | West | Northeast | Southwest | Northwest |
| 7 | West | Northwest | Southwest | Northeast | West |
| 8 | West | Southwest | Northwest | West | Northeast |
| 9 | East | East | Southeast | North | South |
Your group tells you the set of four directions you can use. East group is north, east, southeast and south. West group is northeast, northwest, west and southwest.
Step 3: Read the room with a compass
Stand inside the room where you want to check, and face the direction you want to read, such as the wall, window or door. Take the reading from the middle of the room, not from a corner. Keep phones, keys and metal objects away from the compass, because metal can throw off the reading. A phone compass app is useful for a rough check, but a proper compass is more accurate.
Step 4: Apply the directions
- Sleep. Where the room allows, point your head toward Sheng Chi, or Tian Yi or Yan Nian if Sheng Chi is not possible. See the front door guide for the entrance.
- Work. Face Sheng Chi when you work and Fu Wei when you study. The office desk guide covers the desk.
- Eat. Some traditions suggest facing Tian Yi for meals, for health. The dining table guide covers seating.
If a room will not allow a favourable direction, angle the chair or the furniture as close as you can. Do not move major furniture just for the direction.
Element and colour for each number
Each kua number also has an element and colours that traditionally suit it:
- Kua 1 (water): black and blue.
- Kua 2 and 8 (earth): yellow, ochre, beige and brown.
- Kua 3 and 4 (wood): greens.
- Kua 6 and 7 (metal): white and metallic tones.
- Kua 9 (fire): red.
For the wider system, see the Eight Mansions overview.
These are traditional guidelines, not scientific findings. Use them to arrange your space, not as a verdict on a person.