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What does “nhà hứng lệ” refer to, as advised by the ancients: “Building a house that catches tears, crying twice in 3 years”?

According to the belief in feng shui, it is advised to avoid building a "leaky" house. But what exactly is a leaky house and why should we avoid it?

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15 March, 2024

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Our ancestors were very careful about the feng shui element when building houses. Because the house has a great impact on the life, destiny, and future of the whole family. If a house has good feng shui, it will help the owner to be better and wealthier.

Our ancestors have many sayings about the experience of building houses, such as the saying “Building a house that catches tears, crying twice in 3 years”. What is a catching tears house?

Building a house that catches tears, crying twice in 3 years

What is a catching tears house?

We all know that building houses in ancient times was not like in modern times, where we can build just by preparing materials. Our ancestors had to study many things, not only preparing materials and finding good locations, but also considering feng shui. Because for them, the house they were about to build was not just for their generation, but also a place where the extended family can live for many generations and preserve many memories.

For them, whether it’s a wedding, moving house, or other events, they all want to find auspicious days and months so that everything goes smoothly.

Nowadays, due to limited land and high population density, houses are often compacted into high-rise buildings.

But in ancient times, it was the opposite, there were no multi-story houses, and the houses/rooms were separated and surrounded the main house. The main house was usually larger, for the oldest person in the family to live in. The smaller houses were next to the main house, lower, and roofed with stacked tiles (used by younger members of the family), called catching tears houses.

When it rained, the rainwater from the roofs of the main houses would fall onto the smaller houses. From a distance, it looked like tears falling, so our ancestors called them catching tears houses.

The saying “Building a house that catches tears, crying twice in 3 years” has to do with ancient feng shui, it is a saying advising people not to build catching tears houses. In case they want to build, they have to follow the feng shui principles to somewhat avoid unfortunate events for the homeowners.

Our ancestors believed a lot in feng shui and supernatural powers, they believed that rain was truly a lucky thing, it could wash away all the bad things and misfortunes. And when the rainwater fell and soaked into the ground, it had a good feng shui meaning: it meant that the bad things and misfortunes of their house would be swept away.

However, if the rainwater stagnated and formed puddles/unable to drain away, that meant that the misfortunes and bad things would gather and harm the homeowners.

In the case of catching tears houses, when building them close to the main house, when it rains heavily, the rainwater from the main house’s roof falls onto the catching tears house more and unable to drain away, creating stagnant water on the roof. In ancient feng shui, this is something to avoid.

In addition to understanding the feng shui aspect, we can also understand from other practical aspects. Since ancient times, there was no cement, so people often built houses using grass and mixed with some soil and a little bit of clay, so these houses were relatively unsafe.

If the weather is good, the house can live normally. But if there is heavy and prolonged rain, the houses made of mud may not withstand these prolonged storms. Not to mention, if the main house is too close to the catching tears house, it will make more rainwater from the high house pour into the lower house, causing long-standing water to become damp, collapse, and unsafe.

That is the reason why building catching tears houses too close to the main house (the big house) is considered inauspicious in ancient building practices.

Part of the solution is to build catching tears houses at an appropriate distance from the main house to avoid catching all the rainwater falling from the main house. Also, changing the construction materials to make the house stronger and more resistant to harsh weather.

The phrase “crying twice in 3 years” indicates the sunlight aspect.

Because catching tears houses are often lower and smaller than the main house, the amount of sunlight they receive is less than the main house (darker). Living in a relatively dark house will greatly affect the mood of the occupants.

Not only affecting the mood, but a house lacking sunlight and fresh air can also cause illness for the occupants. Illness is one of the misfortunes that no one wants, from which the homeowners can suffer continuously.

Furthermore, the phrase ‘crying twice in 3 years’ is also relative. It means that if a household has catching tears houses – if there are no feng shui principles, the appropriate distance, and good lighting – they will encounter many misfortunes and continuous sadness.

The teaching “Building a house that catches tears, crying twice in 3 years” is probably more relevant in ancient times (when people did not have more solid construction materials). However, considering the factors of light and ventilation for a house, this teaching still has its effectiveness.

Frequently asked questions

A “catching tears” house is a smaller house built next to the main residence in ancient times. It was typically lower than the main house and had a roof made of stacked tiles. When it rained, water from the main house’s roof would fall onto the smaller house, resembling falling tears. This design feature is where the name “catching tears” originates.

Ancient people believed that rainwater carried away bad luck and misfortune. However, if the rainwater from the main house’s roof fell onto the “catching tears” house and stagnated, it was thought to gather and concentrate these negative energies, bringing harm to the occupants. Additionally, the proximity of the smaller house to the main house could lead to structural issues during heavy and prolonged rain, as the ancient building materials were not as robust as those used today.

This ancient saying discourages the construction of “catching tears” houses due to their potential negative impact on homeowners. It suggests that building such a house without following proper feng shui principles and maintaining a safe distance from the main house could lead to unfortunate events and continuous sadness for the occupants.

Yes, beyond the supernatural beliefs, there are practical concerns. Ancient houses were often built with grass, soil, and clay, making them relatively unsafe. Heavy and prolonged rain could lead to structural issues, especially if the “catching tears” house was too close to the main house and unable to drain rainwater effectively.

To avoid the negative consequences associated with “catching tears” houses, ancient builders recommended maintaining a safe distance between the smaller house and the main residence. Additionally, improving the construction materials to make the houses more durable and weather-resistant could help prevent structural issues during heavy rainfall.

The phrase “crying twice in 3 years” refers to the amount of sunlight the “catching tears” house receives. These houses are often lower and smaller, resulting in reduced sunlight, which can negatively impact the mood and health of the occupants. Lack of sunlight and fresh air can contribute to an unhealthy living environment.