Feng Shui 101: What is Luo Pan?

August 18, 2:34 AMOrlando Feng Shui ExaminerAlla Kondrat

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Feng Shui compass

Luo Pan, also known as Chinese compass, or Feng Shui compass, is probably the most important tool of a Feng Shui practitioner.

The Feng Shui compass is used by Feng Shui consultants for determining precise geographic directions, and analyzing the Chi flows, as well as Yin-Yang balance of dwellings.

The Chinese compass consists of an ordinary compass that sits on a red square base, and is surrounded by concentric rings that can be rotated around the compass. The red end of the needle traditionally points to the south. The wooden base is called an earth plate. The metal plate with concentric rings is called a heaven dial. A Luo Pan also has 2 red threads that intersect in the center to make grid lines for noting positions of the rings.

When was Feng Shui compass invented?

Feng Shui compass was invented in around 100 A.D., as most scholarly sources state. There are, however, sources that say it happened in 221-206 B.C. At the same time, the first literary reference to a prototype of modern Luo Pan lies in Book of the Devil Valley Master written in the 4th century B.C.

Chinese legends state that the first compass was created in the times when China was ruled by the Yellow Emperor, Huang-Di, - in around 2600-2500 B.C.

Types of Chinese compass

Since the times of its creation, Feng Shui compass was constantly been improved and modified in order to serve the needs of Feng Shui practitioners better. As a result, now there exist 3 major types of Luo Pan:

• San Yuan Luo Pan – used by Time and Space, and Flying Stars schools of Feng Shui
• San He Luo Pan – used by the followers of Feng Shui Three Combinations System
• Zong He Luo Pan – a combined Feng Shui compass that has the features of both San Yuan Luo Pan, and San He Luo Pan.

What’s in a name? – Luo Pan

‘Luo’ means ‘everything’, or ‘net embracing everything’, ‘Pan’ – ‘utensil’ or ‘plate’. ‘Luo Pan’ – ‘reticulated plate’. So, Luo Pan can be said to be a receptacle of heaven and earth united by the electro magnetic field.

Learn more about Feng Shui compass:
Feng Shui Compass: History and Origin of Chinese Compass, Luo Pan 
Purpose and Types of Luo Pan, the Chinese Compass

Sources:

• Aczel, Amir D. The riddle of the compass: the invention that changed the world. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002.
• Annie, Lee & Wong Lai Kuan. “Different Types of Luo Pan”. Math.nus.edu.sg.
• Astro Numero Geomancy. “Luo Pan”. Astronumerogeomancy.com, 2004.
• Feng Shui Consultants New Zealand. “What is the special compass used in classical feng shui and what are some of the things it can tell us about our environment?” Fengshui88.co.nz.
• Hean-Tatt, Ong. “Origins of Feng Shui: Huang Di Feng Shui Battles”. Guiculture.com, 2000.
• Yap, Joey. “The Feng Shui LuoPan”. Geocities.com, 1999.