HW 1 For Housing

LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY - CAVITE
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER STUDIES, AND ARCHITECTURE
TRADITIONS AND BELIEFS OF FILIPINOS RELATED TO HOUSING IN

RELATION TO FENG SHUI BELIEFS
PREPARED BY:
JECIEL, MARIELLE
SECTION:
ARCH 502
INSTRUCTOR:
AR. DEABANICO EDEN GAY
SUBJECT:
ARHOUN – HOUSING
September 2023
LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OR ENGINEERING, COMPUTER STUDIES & ARCHITECTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
Governor's Dr, General Trias, Cavite
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………….………………..4
Essential Principles of Feng Shui………………………………………………………...……...4
The Five Elements…………………………………………………………………………………8
II. RESEARCH METHODS…………………………………………………………………….…8
Research Design…………………………………………………………………………………..8
Gathering of Data……………………………………………………………………………….….9
Types of Data to be Collected……………………………………………………………….…...9
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION………………………………………………………..…...…9
Common Rituals Before House Construction…………………………………………….….…9
When Selecting the Lot…………………………………………………………..…………….….9
Location of Property………………………………………………………………………..…….11
When Laying the Foundation of your Home………………………………………………...…11
Beliefs on Setting Up the Interior of your Home………………………….…………………...13
IV. REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………..…………21
Page | 2
ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustration 1. The Feng Shui Bagua Map……………………………………..……………….5

Illustration 2. The Bagua Areas……………………………………………….………...……...6
Illustration 3. The Five Elements………………………………………………………….……8
Illustration 4. Avoid Dead-End Streets…………………………..……………………………10
Illustration 5. Rectangular Cuts are Better……………………………………………………10
Illustration 6. Welcome the Morning Sun into your Home..……………………………..….11
Illustration 7. Smearing Pig or Chicken’s Blood…………...……………………………..….12
Illustration 8. Don’t Build Solitary Posts in the Middle of the Room………….........…..….12
Illustration 9. Placing Coins on the Doorstep...…………........................................…..….13
Illustration 10. Doors Shouldn’t be Facing Each Other…………............................…..….13
Illustration 11. Stairs Must Not Face any Door.…..................................................…..….14
Illustration 12. Stair Steps should not be Divisible by Four…………......................…..….15
Illustration 13. Bathroom Door should not face the Kitchen Door…….........................….15
Illustration 14. No Toilet in the Center of the House…….......................................…..….16
Illustration 15. Bedroom above the Front Entrance………........................................……16
Illustration 16. Avoid Placing Mirrors Across the Main Door….........................................17
Illustration 17. Main Door of the House does not Face the Gate of Neighbor’s
House.............................................................................................................................….17
Illustration 18. Round Dining Table over Rectangular One…................................…..….18
Illustration 19. Bathroom should not face Mirrors……............................................…..….18
Illustration 20. Having a Window 45 Degree Facing the Main Door…...................…..….19
Illustration 21. Kitchen’s Door Facing the Kitchen’s Stove…………………………………19
Illustration 22. Main Door Facing Toilet………………………………………………………20
Illustration 23. Make sure the Stairs are wide enough for Two People…………….……..20
Page | 3
I. INTRODUCTION
Most people in the Philippines are religious, and many of us believe that luck and superstition
are real. We go above and beyond when constructing our homes to guarantee their prosperity
and security.
In the Philippines, owning a home is frequently seen as a sign of prosperity and financial
stability. Filipinos have a great desire to own a home to provide their families safety and
stability. The idea that home ownership is a great investment that can be passed down to
future generations is commonly believed.
In addition to preserving pre-colonial traditions, many Filipinos also adhere to Chinese

geomancy or feng shui. Filipino culture holds that these suggested practices will assist those
who inherit the property become more prosperous in the future by bringing fresh, pleasant
energy into the house. Additionally, for Filipinos, it creates a sense of continuity, connects the
Past and Present, and aids in the preservation of cultural heritage. Families make sure that
the values, beliefs, and practices of their ancestors endure and are instilled in future
generations through upholding and passing down these traditions within the home.
THE FENG SHUI BELIEF
Feng Shui is a cultural practice that originated in China that deals with harmony and balance
with the natural world. Feng Shui is thought to bring luck and fortune to those who practice it,
especially business owners who want to live more prosperous lives. In addition to the ethereal
influence that Feng Shui has, it is unknown whether these construction-related techniques are
appropriate for the nation. Studies on Feng Shui have been conducted recently in a variety of
disciplines, but few or none have been focused on the building industry.
The Chinese characters "feng," which means wind, and "shui," which means water, can be
used to translate the meaning of feng shui. The idea comes from an old poem that describes
how human life is intertwined with and flows with its surroundings. Feng shui is, by definition,
the art of arranging objects in interior spaces in a way that promotes harmony with the
surrounding environment. What it means to feng shui your home is as follows. The objective
is to transfer energy forces and create harmony between a person and the environment
around them.
In Asian culture, this philosophy is called the Tao, which translates to mean “the way." Taoism
is the way of nature, and all the basic rules of feng shui reflect nature. Here's a look at the
essential principles of feng shui: the commanding position, the bagua, and the five elements.
Essential Principles of Feng Shui
1. Chi in Feng Shui
Chi refers to vital life force or energy. It is an important aspect of designing a room with
feng shui. A large room with little furniture can cause an overwhelm of chi, making you feel
lost. On the other hand, a small room that’s packed with clutter doesn’t give chi space to move,
resulting in feelings of stagnation.
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2. The Commanding Position
If you'd like to feng shui your home, first you need to know about the commanding position.
In feng shui, the commanding position is the spot in a room that is the farthest from the door
and not in direct line with it. It puts your diagonal to the door. And ideally, you should have a
clear line of sight to the door. The commanding position is where you want to spend most of
your time in a room.
Some of the basic rules of feng shui suggest you determine this dominant position in the
room and then place your bed, your desk, or your stove in diagonal alignment if possible.
These three parts of your house are critical because each represents an essential part of your
life. The bed stands for you, the desk is an extension of your career, and the stove represents
your wealth and nourishment.
3. The Feng Shui Bagua Map
A bagua is the feng shui energy map superimposed on the floor plan of your home. The
Chinese word "bagua" translates to mean “eight areas.” Each of the eight areas relates to a
different life circumstance, such as family, wealth, or career. And each of these areas has
corresponding shapes, colors, seasons, numbers, and earthly elements. At the center of the
bagua—a ninth area—is you, representing your overall wellness.
Illustration 1. The Feng Shui Bagua Map
4. The Bagua Areas
The easiest way to incorporate the bagua into your life and to feng shui your home is to
identify one to three areas that need the most attention. Do not attempt to work on all areas
at once. To strengthen your energy or improve flow in those areas, incorporate feng shui tips
in that area.
Page | 5
Illustration 2. The Bagua Areas
Family (Zhen)
• Representing: Family, new beginnings

• Shape: Columnar, rectangular
• Colors: Green, blues, teal
• Season: Spring
• Number: 4
• Element: Yang wood
Wealth (Xun)
• Representing: Wealth, abundance, prosperity

• Shape: Columnar, rectangular
• Colors: Purple
• Season: Spring
• Number: 5
• Element: Yin wood
Health (Tai Qi)
• Representing: Overall wellness, the center

• Shape: Flat, square
• Colors: Brown, orange, yellow
• Season: Transitions between the seasons
• Number: 5
• Element: Earth
Page | 6
Helpful People (Qian)
• Representing: Helpful people, benefactors, travel

• Shape: Circular, spherical
• Colors: Gray, metallics
• Season: Autumn
• Number: 6
• Element: Yang metal
Children (Dui)
• Representing: Children, completion, joy

• Shape: Circular, spherical
• Colors: White, metallics
• Season: Autumn
• Number: 7
• Element: Yin metal
Knowledge (Gen)
• Representing: Knowledge, self-cultivation, skillfulness

• Colors: Dark blue
• Number: 8
• Element: Yang earth
Fame (Li)
• Representing: Fame, reputation, passion, visibility

• Shape: Triangle, pointy
• Colors: Red
• Season: Summer
• Number: 9
• Element: Fire
Career (Kan)
• Representing: Career, path in life

• Shape: Wavy, curvy
• Colors: Black
• Season: Winter
• Number: 1
• Element: Water
Page | 7
Partnerships (Kun)
• Representing: Partnerships, marriage, self-care

• Colors: Pink
• Number: 2
• Element: Yin earth
The Five Elements
The five elements of feng shui—earth, metal, water, wood, and fire—come from the Taoist
tradition. The elements are five interrelated phases in life that work together to create a
complete system. Typically, when you feng shui your home, you balance these five elements.
Illustration 3. The Five Elements
In this report, I defined and illustrated what are the common Cultural Beliefs of the Filipinos in
building a house in relation to Chinese Feng Shui.
II. RESEARCH METHODS
This part of the paper explains the methodologies that were used in gathering data which are
relevant to the comprehensive report. The methodologies will include areas such as research
design, data collection method, and types of data gathered.
Page | 8
A. Research Design
The type of research design used in the comprehensive report is Qualitative and
Quantitative Research. The data will be gathered through a combination of texts and
illustrations.
B. Gathering of Data
The online and written information and data that are relevant to the report will mostly
be gathered from Online Data Collection. The report will involve collected data
concerning the Cultural Beliefs of the Filipinos in building a house using websites,
publications, and data.
C. Types of Data to be Collected

The type of data to be collected from the internet are Secondary Data which contains
the general information about Cultural Beliefs of the Filipinos in building a house
gathered from online documents, online journals, e-books, etc.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The development of current Filipino superstitious beliefs was based also on the interaction of
the two eras in Philippine history and influence by various factors like religious beliefs and
other customs. Feng Shui is an Ancient practiced originated from China that deals with the
balance and harmony with nature. In the Philippines, it is believed that Feng Shui gives luck
and fortune to the ones who follows especially to the business owners to have a more fruitful
life. The following are some Feng Shui and Superstitious Beliefs that influence Filipino homes:
COMMON RITUALS BEFORE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION
Even in the present day, where advances in science serve as the basis for a strong home
foundation, many Filipinos go above and beyond to assure the security of their homes and the
well-being of the people who live there. Such Filipino customs and rituals around home
construction are passed down from generation to generation mostly through oral customs.
A. WHEN SELECTING THE LOT
Never mind if the lot is expensive, securing those that show prospects of fortune and avoiding
those that manifest tell-tale signs of bad luck is a big deal.
Page | 9
Illustration 4. Avoid Dead-End Streets.
According to Kapampangan traditions, one should avoid buying a lot and constructing a
home at the end of a dead-end street as it may cause you financial misfortune and worst,
death of a loved one.
Illustration 5. Rectangular Cuts are Better.
Shapes also of the land matters. The rectangular-shaped lot or lot in perfect proportion,
are revered. Lots with equally long sides are believed to be the most ideal in ensuring sound
and harmonious home- this is rare of course as rectangular lots create more efficient
subdivision cuts. Other shapes are also welcome: trapezoidal lots could mean great wealth,
Page | 10
and purse-shaped lots, with a small frontage and a wider back, are thought to naturally collect
money and fortune. Triangular lots, as challenging as they are from an architectural
perspective, are discouraged as they are believed to invite accidents and conflicts.
B. LOCATION OF PROPERTY
The Philippines’ diverse cultures and traditions have resulted in unique and vibrant beliefs
related with constructing your home in every tribe or group.
Illustration 6. Welcome the Morning Sun into your Home.
According to popular Filipino beliefs, the sun brings about good luck and could influence one’s
success. This can be achieved if the facade of the house faces and welcomes the morning
sun. This is possible if the house faces east. Furthermore, the more windows your residence
has, the better the chances of your house absorbing natural and spiritual graces.
C. WHEN LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR HOME
Laying the pillar of the house is a momentous event and a milestone that summons lady luck
and blessings to fill the house.
Page | 11
Illustration 7. Smearing Pig or Chicken’s Blood
On the other end, remnants of the pagan roots of the Filipinos likewise have sway over the
matter. Many believe that the blood of a pig or chicken smeared on the house’ foundation
makes the structure sturdier and prevents bad spirits from wreaking havoc on the home.
Illustration 8. Don’t Build Solitary Posts in the Middle of the Room
Position of the foundation posts also matters. Famous in the Bataan province – also in some
provinces in the Tagalog region – the construction of a solitary post in the middle of a room.
Apart from being an eyesore, it is said that it brings misfortune to the family.
Page | 12
Illustration 9. Placing Coins on the Doorstep
Before the cement in the doorstep hardens and dries, bury a few old coins on it. This practice
is meant to attract wealth and prosperity to the family living in the house. You can also make
an imprint of the coin on the doorstep of the home to encourage steady flow of wealth.
D. BELIEFS ON SETTING UP THE INTERIOR OF YOUR HOME
Interior decorating is the process of selecting materials and schemes for the design of interior
spaces. More than to what was mentioned above, interior layout and design also influence
one’s life and fortunes.
Illustration 10. Doors Shouldn’t be Facing Each Other.
Page | 13
One of the most important areas of your home to look at from a feng shui perspective is your
front door, also called the mouth of qi. This is the main entry point for energy to come in from
outside the home, so you want to make sure that it’s set up optimally to receive positive qi for
everyone living in the home.
The front and back doors of a house shall not face each other. Otherwise, the airflow will take
away your wealth and affect your family fortune.
Illustration 11. Stairs Must Not Face any Door.
When a stair is directly opposite, in line with, and facing the front door, it creates a challenging
feng shui layout because it allows energy to flow quickly and directly in and out the front door,
which can indicate diminished resources or finances. In general, a staircase also generally
represents ups and downs, which can be quite disruptive. If there’s a staircase very close to
the front door, it can have a significant impact on the energy throughout the home.
Page | 14
Illustration 12. Stair Steps should not be Divisible by Four.
Steps on a staircase should not count in a multiple of three (3, 6, 9, etc). This takes the pattern
“oro, plata, mata” (translated as “gold, silver, death”). When climbing the staircase, the final
step should not match “mata/death”.
Illustration 13. Bathroom Door should not face the Kitchen Door.
The restroom belongs to the water element and kitchen is the fire element. Doors facing each
other can create conflicting energy.
Page | 15
Illustration 14. No Toilet in the Center of the House.
The restroom belongs to the water element and kitchen is the fire element. Doors facing each
other can create conflicting energy.
Illustration 15. Bedroom above the Front Entrance.
A restroom above the front door is not good Feng Shui. Even if you cannot see the restroom
front the first floor, the energy can still affect the front entrance to some degree.
Page | 16
Illustration 16. Avoid Placing Mirrors Across the Main Door.
Avoid placing mirrors across the main door, too. It can drive away good luck once fortune
enters your door and collect bad energy as well. Many people want mirrors in their foyer, and
that's fine, just make sure it's on a perpendicular wall that catches light instead.
Illustration 17. Main Door of the House does not Face the Gate of Neighbor’s House.
The front door shall not face your neighbor's front door; otherwise, you cannot get along well
with your neighbor and may easily have disputes; also, you will lack of privacy psychologically.
Page | 17
Illustration 18. Round Dining Table over Rectangular One.
This isn’t necessarily the norm in common dining table options for these days, but a feng shui
dining table will be round rather than square or rectangular. This is because a round dining
table provides a level of equality – everyone seated around the table is no more or less than
everyone else seated around that same table (as opposed to the “head” of a rectangular table).
Eye contact and conversation are improved with a round dining table.
Illustration 19. Bathroom should not face Mirrors.
A mirror should not face a door in Feng Shui to avoid any startle when we are tired and low
energy. It is the same in a bathroom. Change the direction of mirror, cover with fabric, or at
least keep the space bright and clean so these is no confusion.
Page | 18
Illustration 20. Having a Window 45 Degree Facing the Main Door.
This position represents our wealth location of the house and if this position has a window
behind, it symbolizes loss of wealth and you will it hard to accumulate your money so at the
end of the day, you will just break even and will not have any extra saving.
Illustration 21. Kitchen’s Door Facing the Kitchen’s Stove.
The kitchen’s stove is considered as one of a treasure box in the family, having it facing directly
the door, it is also representing having your family’s treasure chest expose and unable to
accumulate the wealth. When the kitchen’s door faces the stove will cause the negative energy
to hit on the stove, incidentally the family is hitting onto the fire, thus cause family member not
able to get well and have lots of arguments.
Page | 19
Illustration 22. Main Door Facing Toilet
In this situation, it will cause loss of wealth or difficulty in accumulating your money since the
qi from the main door will be directed to the toilet and being flushed away instantly.
Illustration 23. Make sure the Stairs are wide enough for Two People.
In Feng Shui, the concept of space is deeply rooted in allowing the easy flow of positive energy
or chi. In this context, the stairs should be wide enough to comfortably accommodate two
people side by side. This encourages a sense of openness and allows a smooth flow of
energies. Moreover, it promotes harmony, prosperity, and beneficial relationships within the
home.
Page | 20
IV. REFERENCES
• AsianCustoms.eu (2020). Filipino Beliefs and Customs When Moving into a New Home.
Retrieved from https://asiancustoms.eu/filipino-beliefs-and-customs-when-moving-in-to-a-
new-home/
• Bria Homes (2020). Superstitious Beliefs that Influence Filipino Homes. Retrieved from
https://www.bria.com.ph/articles/superstitious-beliefs-that-influence-filipino-homes/
• Feng Shui. Feng Shui Tips for Having a Window 45 Degree Facing The Main Door.
Retrieved from https://fengshuibeginner.com/101/feng-shui-tips-for-having-a-window-45-
degree-facing-the-main-door/
• Home Edit: Home Design Ideas for Modern Living. Feng Shui Your Dining Table. Retrieved
from https://www.homedit.com/feng-shui-dining-table/
• Picture Healer (October 01, 2019). Common bathroom Feng Shui problems and solutions.
Retrieved from https://picturehealer.com/blog/common-bathroom-feng-shui-problems-
and-solutions
• Real Living (Aug 11, 2023). Do's and Don'ts of Building a Staircase, According to Feng
Shui. Retrieved from https://www.realliving.com.ph/home-improvement/decorating/feng-
shui-for-stairs-a00340-20210129
• Romania (March 11, 2019). 18 Filipino Beliefs That Influence Home Architecture and
Construction. Retrieved from https://philippine-property.net/1993-filipino-homes-
construction-beliefs.html#beliefs_in_the_filipino_home
• The Spruce (September 07, 2021). How a Staircase Facing the Door Affects Your Feng
Shui. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/staircase-facing-the-front-door-1274549
Page | 21

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LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY - CAVITE

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER STUDIES, AND ARCHITECTURE

TRADITIONS AND BELIEFS OF FILIPINOS RELATED TO HOUSING IN

Illustration 1. The Feng Shui Bagua Map……………………………………..……………….5

In addition to preserving pre-colonial traditions, many Filipinos also adhere to Chinese

THE FENG SHUI BELIEF

Essential Principles of Feng Shui

1. Chi in Feng Shui

2. The Commanding Position

3. The Feng Shui Bagua Map

Illustration 1. The Feng Shui Bagua Map

4. The Bagua Areas

Illustration 2. The Bagua Areas

• Representing: Family, new beginnings

• Representing: Wealth, abundance, prosperity

Health (Tai Qi)

• Representing: Overall wellness, the center

Helpful People (Qian)

• Representing: Helpful people, benefactors, travel

• Representing: Children, completion, joy

• Representing: Knowledge, self-cultivation, skillfulness

• Representing: Fame, reputation, passion, visibility

• Representing: Career, path in life

• Representing: Partnerships, marriage, self-care

The Five Elements

Illustration 3. The Five Elements

II. RESEARCH METHODS

C. Types of Data to be Collected

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

COMMON RITUALS BEFORE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION

A. WHEN SELECTING THE LOT

Illustration 4. Avoid Dead-End Streets.

Illustration 5. Rectangular Cuts are Better.

Illustration 6. Welcome the Morning Sun into your Home.

C. WHEN LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR HOME

Illustration 7. Smearing Pig or Chicken’s Blood

Illustration 8. Don’t Build Solitary Posts in the Middle of the Room

Illustration 9. Placing Coins on the Doorstep

D. BELIEFS ON SETTING UP THE INTERIOR OF YOUR HOME

Illustration 10. Doors Shouldn’t be Facing Each Other.

Illustration 11. Stairs Must Not Face any Door.

Illustration 12. Stair Steps should not be Divisible by Four.

Illustration 14. No Toilet in the Center of the House.

Illustration 15. Bedroom above the Front Entrance.

Illustration 16. Avoid Placing Mirrors Across the Main Door.

Illustration 18. Round Dining Table over Rectangular One.

Illustration 19. Bathroom should not face Mirrors.

Illustration 20. Having a Window 45 Degree Facing the Main Door.

Illustration 21. Kitchen’s Door Facing the Kitchen’s Stove.

Illustration 22. Main Door Facing Toilet

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