Welcome to the world of Feng Shui, where balance and harmony rule and every detail matters. One such detail is the size of your main door. Regarded as the 'mouth of the house' (房子的口), this vital entry point requires accurate measurements to maintain the delicate balance of yin and yang (阴阳平衡). As a Feng Shui master, I've seen how one tool can make all the difference - the Lu Ban ruler (鲁班尺).
The Ancient Wisdom of Lu Ban Ruler
The Lu Ban ruler is no ordinary measuring stick known for its powerful influence. This tool, steeped in ancient wisdom, can guide you in constructing the perfect main door for your home. Every inch on this ruler indicates a unique reading that can influence the energy flow in your house.
In my experience as a Feng Shui master, I've seen houses transform with the correct use of the Lu Ban ruler. I recall advising a client who was experiencing disharmony in their home. After measuring their main door using the Lu Ban ruler, we discovered the dimensions were off balance. Correcting the measurements brought the household an immediate sense of peace and stability.
財 Wealth: Invite wealth.
病 Sickness: Invites supernatural which may cause harm.
離 Separation: Cause quarrels.
義 Connection: Auspicious door that may bring harm which tests bonds such as piety.
官 Official: Good to use for offices which invite glory.
劫 Robbery: Gives nuisance and trouble.
害 Harm: Causes harm to the dwellers from accidents, cheating and so on.
吉 Auspicious: Brings good energy and wisdom.
魯般尺詩八首
This is a collection of eight poems dedicated to a different Chinese character. Each character symbolises a different concept, and the poem discusses its implications when it 'arrives at the door', a metaphor for the character's influence on a household or a person's life. Here are the translations:
財字
財字臨門仔細詳，外門招得對財良，
若在中門常自有，積財須用大門當。
中房若合安於上，銀帛千箱與萬箱，
木匠若能明此理，家中福祿自榮昌。
Poem about "Wealth" (財字)
When the character "Wealth" arrives at your door, carefully consider its presence. If it comes to the outer door, it brings good wealth. If it's at the centre door, wealth is always there. Accumulating wealth should be done at the main door. If it's well-settled in the central room, there will be thousands and tens of thousands of boxes of silver and silk. If a carpenter can understand this principle, wealth and prosperity will naturally flourish in the home.
病字
病字臨門招疫疾，外門神鬼入中庭，
若在屮門逄此字，災須輕可免危聲。
更被外門相照對，一年兩度送戶靈；
於中若要無凶禍，廁上無疑是好親。
Poem about "Disease" (病字)
When the character "Disease" arrives at your door, it brings epidemics and illnesses. If it comes to the outer door, spirits and ghosts enter the courtyard. If it is at the central door, disasters may be lightened and crises can be avoided. If it's mirrored at the outer door, the spirit of death may visit twice a year. If you wish to avoid misfortune, having it on the toilet door is best,.
離字
離字臨門事不祥，仔細排來在甚方；
若在外門並中戶，子南父北自分張。
房門必主生離別，夫婦恩情兩處忙；
朝日主家常作鬧，悽惶無地禍誰當。
Poem about "Separation" (離字)
When the character "Separation" arrives at your door, it brings bad news. If it is at the outer or middle door, it can cause a split between father and son. The door of the room will inevitably lead to separation, causing the couple's feelings to be busy in two places. If the sun is always causing trouble at home, who will take the blame for the disaster?
義字
義字臨門孝順生，一安中戶最爲有；
若在都門招三婦，廊門湲婦變之聲。
於中合字雖爲吉，也有興災害及人；
若是十分無災害，只有廚門實可親。
Poem about "Righteousness" (義字)
When the character "Righteousness" arrives at your door, it brings filial piety. If it's at the centre door, it's best. If it's at the city gate, it can cause the wife to change her voice in the corridor. Although it's usually auspicious, it can still bring disaster to people. If there is no disaster, the kitchen door is the best place for it.
官字
官字臨門白要詳，莫教安在大門場；
須房公事親州唐，富貴中庭房自昌。
若若房門生貴子，其家必定出官郎；
富貴人家有相壓，庶人之屋實難量。
Poem about "Government" (官字)
When the character "Government" arrives at your door, you must be careful. Don't let it settle at the main door. If it's in the necessary room, it can bring government affairs, wealth, and prosperity to the room. It can get a noble son to the family if it's in the room door. The house of the rich and powerful can suppress it, but the house of the common people can hardly measure it.
劫字
劫字臨門不足誇，家中日日事如麻，
更有害門相照看，凶來疊疊禍無左。
兒孫行劫身遭苦，作事因須害卻家；
四惡四凶星不吉，偷人物件害其身。
Poem about "Robbery" (劫字)
When the character "Robbery" arrives at your door, it's not to be praised. The house is in constant chaos. If it's at the harmful door, disasters will pile up without rest. Children and grandchildren who engage in the robbery will suffer. Misdeeds will harm the family. The four evil and four ominous stars are inauspicious; stealing from others will harm oneself.
害字
害字安門用細尋，外人多被外人臨；
若在內門多興禍，家財必被賊來侵。
兒孫行門于害字，作事須因破其家；
良匠若能明此理，管教宅主永興隆。
Poem about "Harm" (害字)
When the character "Harm" settles at your door, you must be careful. Outsiders often harm outsiders. If it's at the inner door, it brings disaster, and thieves will invade the family's wealth. Children and grandchildren who engage in harmful deeds will bring ruin to their families. If a good craftsman can understand this principle, he can guide the homeowner to everlasting prosperity.
吉字
吉字臨門最是良，中門內外一齊強；
子孫夫婦皆榮貴，年年月月旺蚕桑。
如有才門相昭者，家道興祟最吉昌；
使有凶神在旁位，也無災害亦風光。
Poem about "Auspiciousness" (吉字)
When the character "Auspiciousness" arrives at your door, it is the best. It strengthens both the inner and the outer middle door. Sons and daughters, husbands and wives, all become noble and wealthy, and silkworms and mulberry trees thrive month after month, year after year. If there's a talented person at the door, the family will be prosperous, which is the most promising. Even if evil spirits are nearby, there will be no disaster, and everything will still be splendid and magnificent.
Background of Lu Ban 魯班
Lu Ban, born between 507–444 BC, was more than just a man of his time. Renowned as a structural engineer, inventor, and carpenter, he was a force that shaped the Zhou Dynasty and beyond, earning his revered status as the patron god of builders and contractors in China.
Brought into the world in the state of Lu, some tales suggest that Lu Ban's birthplace was far west, in the remote city of Dunhuang. His family, hailing from a long line of skilled carpenters and artisans, saw him first known as Gongshu Yizhi. He was also known as Gongshu Ban or Pan, names that echoed throughout China's rich history.
Young Lu Ban didn't immediately show promise as a scholar; the influence of the revered scholar Zi Xia sparked his thirst for knowledge, turning an indifferent student into a passionate learner. His journey led him to the wise Bao Laodong, under whom he honed his craft in woodworking.
But it was not just the craft that Lu Ban mastered, it was the need of the hour that turned him into an inventor. The demands of his craft were high, and to meet them, Lu Ban turned to innovation. He transformed the world of carpentry by inventing or improving various tools - the saw, the square, the planer, the drill, the shovel, and even an ink marking device. Each invention had a purpose, each was a step towards completing his many projects more efficiently.
His legacy didn't end there. His wife, a partner in every sense, is often credited with inventing the umbrella. Her motivation was simple yet profound - she wanted Lu Ban to be able to work regardless of the weather. And so, in their ways, they both left their mark on history, shaping the world of builders and inventors in ways that continue to resonate today.
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