Research On Song Dynastv's Fengshui Documentations

The Song Dynasty is the mature stage of the Chinese Fengshui theory,in which the Fengshui theory system since the Han and Tang dynasties were inherited,and the Fengshui construction method in the Ming and Qing dynasties was originated.Besides,the Fengshui theory in the Song Dynasty had its own unique development vein.The name "Fengshui" has gradually replaced "Kanyu" and become a new term known as the art of locating an ideal spot for the dead and the living not only due to the influence of the locating methods emerging in that dynasty but it is also related to the changes of the folk Fengshui concept.Based on the existing Fengshui documentations of the Song Dynasty,this paper makes a comprehensive study on the Fengshui works,Fengshui concepts and Fengshui activities in the Song Dynasty.The main research includes the following aspects:first,identifying the authors as well as the completion time of the books and their circulation.This paper sorts out the Fengshui classics of the Song Dynasty and gives classified descriptions so as to have a comprehensive understanding of the then Fengshui works and their circulation.Because the Song's Fengshui classics are multifarious and their authors are unidentified,it is necessary to identify the authors,discard the fake documentations,discover the completion time of the genuine ones and make clear about their circulation.Second,according to the construction method of the mansion and tomb involved in the Fengshui documentations and the auspiciousness and inauspiciousness,this paper interprets the then Fengshui deduction mode and the rationale behind its principles.In the Song Dynasty,in addition to the popular "Wuxing" theory,the "Sanyuan" theory and law of the yin and yang,there also appeared the "Xingshi" theory and the "Sanhe" theory which used the compass.Those many theories were divided into the two genres:"Xingshi" and "Liqi" by later generations,so it is necessary to sort out the Fengshui deduction mode and excavate its hidden deep meaning and connotation.Third,this paper studies the Fengshui activities of the Song Dynasty and the Fengshui beliefs reflected by them.Through the history record of the Fengshui activities of the Song Dynasty by historical biography,local chronicles,literary sketches,unearthed epitaphs and other documentations,make clear about the specific operations of the then Fengshui activities such as the architectural space composition of the palace mausoleums,temple towers,the residential cemeteries and so on,hoping to have a global overview of the practice and application of the Fengshui theory and its distribution in the Song Dynasty.In addition,the spread of the Fengshui theory is often unable to deviate from the environment of its growth.As a result,by observing the mutual effect between the Fengshui theory and the Song Dynasty Confucianism,the imperial examination system and the social and cultural concepts as well as other factors,examine the Fengshui concept and secular psychology of the Song Dynasty.