Whenever a person planted a garden or changed a landscape in any way, it was important to be sure that this balance was taken into consideration. A second school of feng shui was developed in order to show the best places for objects. This school used a grid, compass, and square to determine where objects are in harmony with one another ("Feng Shui," 2009). Today, it is this school of feng shui that is most often practiced and that is very popular in the West. Home designers place the bagua, an octagon shaped chart divided into eight sections, which represent the eight sections of life that must be balanced: career, marriage and relationships, family and health, wealth, helpful people, children and creativity, knowledge, and fame, as well as the four essential elements and other components. By placing this chart over the plan of a room, home designers can arrange furniture in order to help dwellers improve certain areas of their lives. In addition, it is held that removing clutter and creating more free space can increase...

In the Western world, which is increasingly filled with stress and imbalanced lives, the concept of feng shui is gaining more and more popularity. Others simply find the design to be attractive, and the abundance of free space to be calming or convenient.
Thus, the ancient Chinese art of feng shui has its roots in balance, nature, harmony, and Chinese astrology. Traditionally used as a method of finding burial space, today's feng shui is often incorporated in the design of rooms, buildings, and other interiors. Although some still ascribe spiritual or mythological significance to the design, to others it is simply aesthetically pleasing.

References

Discover Chinese Astrology. (2007). Retrieved August 10, 2009, from Fire Pig:

http://www.firepig.com/astrology.aspx

Feng Shui. (2009). Retrieved August 10, 2009, from Microsoft Encarta:

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_762505619_2/Feng_Shui.html