This ancient proverb offers insight into the thoughtful layout and construction of traditional village homes, reflecting the spiritual mindset of past generations in their pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous living environment.

Building a House: Fear Not the Green Dragon, But Beware the White Tiger’s Gaze

In the realm of feng shui, the orientation and neighboring surroundings of a house hold significant importance. The “Green Dragon” (Thanh Long) typically symbolizes the east, while the “White Tiger” (Bach Ho) represents the west. According to this belief, when the east (Green Dragon) is higher than the west (White Tiger), the homeowner will encounter good fortune and prosperity. Conversely, if the west is higher, it is considered an ill omen, potentially bringing misfortune to the family.

This concept stems from the principles of the five elements in feng shui, with the fundamental rule being “Left Green Dragon, Right White Tiger.” The saying “Fear not the Green Dragon, but beware the White Tiger’s gaze” emphasizes that having the house on the right (west) higher than the one on the left (east) can create unfavorable feng shui conditions, leading to potential bad luck.

What does it mean to build a White Tiger House to shield the Green Dragon?

In ancient times, constructing a house in a village was no easy feat. Thus, every detail of the building process was approached with utmost caution.

Beyond considering the shape of the house, people also assessed various related factors, meticulously choosing the ideal terrain and house design. Numerous preparations had to be made before building, including finding an auspicious location and selecting an auspicious date for construction, as the ancients placed great emphasis on feng shui. This tradition remains prevalent in many places even today.

There is a significant difference between ancient astronomy and the astronomy we study today. In ancient times, the term “astrology” did not exist, and instead, people used the phrase “twenty-eight constellations.”

Among these constellations, the Green Dragon and White Tiger held specific directional significance. They are two of the sacred creatures in the four symbols and Chinese astronomy. They also represent two critical positions within a house.

The Green Dragon: Emblem of Wood, the East, and Spring

The Green Dragon is the most sacred creature among the four symbols, known as the Shang Long in ancient times, depicted as a green dragon.

The White Tiger, on the other hand, is a sacred creature symbolized by a white tiger with a coat that shimmers like gold, appearing alongside the Green Dragon to subdue evil spirits. This guardian beast is tasked with protecting the west, bringing peace to the people. The White Tiger represents the element of Metal, the west, and the autumn season.

Building a White Tiger House to shield the Green Dragon means constructing a house where the White Tiger in the west is lower than the Green Dragon in the east. According to feng shui principles, this arrangement is considered unfavorable for the homeowner.

In the past, when building a house, it was believed that the east could be higher, but the west had to be lower than the east to meet the standards.

Reasons:

Status: The White Tiger is lower than the Green Dragon because the green dragon typically soars in the heavens, while the white tiger prefers the earth. Therefore, the terrain facing the Green Dragon should be higher than that of the White Tiger. The white tiger, with its cheerful nature, prefers a lower position, making it suitable for the east, while the more subdued green dragon occupies the west.

Balance: The Green Dragon brings good fortune and prosperity, while the White Tiger maintains and safeguards these blessings. The White Tiger, being on the right side of the house, should be lower than the Green Dragon’s hill to prevent its stronger aura from overwhelming the Green Dragon and disrupting the feng shui balance, which could potentially harm the family.

When choosing a building site, the ancients also believed that “one should not fear the Green Dragon soaring high but rather the White Tiger raising its head.” This belief emphasizes that while the east can be higher, the west must remain lower and should not surpass the height of the east.

(This article is for reference only and should not be taken as absolute truth)

Frequently asked questions

In feng shui, the ‘Green Dragon’ (representing the east) and the ‘White Tiger’ (representing the west) are important symbols. The orientation and surrounding landscape in relation to these symbols are believed to impact the fortune of the homeowner. When the east is higher than the west, it is considered auspicious, bringing good luck and prosperity. Conversely, if the west is higher, it is seen as an ill omen, potentially leading to misfortune.

A ‘White Tiger House’ refers to a house where the west is lower than the east. In feng shui, the ‘White Tiger’ is associated with the element of Metal, autumn, and the maintenance and safeguarding of blessings. While it is believed to bring peace, having the ‘White Tiger’ higher than the ‘Green Dragon’ can disrupt the balance of energy. The stronger aura of the ‘White Tiger’ may overwhelm the ‘Green Dragon’, potentially leading to unfavorable conditions and bad luck for the family.

In ancient times, people used the term ‘twenty-eight constellations’ instead of astrology. Among these constellations, the Green Dragon and White Tiger held directional significance. They are two of the sacred creatures in the four symbols of Chinese astronomy and represent critical positions within a house. The Green Dragon, the most sacred of the four symbols, is associated with wood, the east, and spring.

Ancient people approached the building process with caution, considering various factors beyond the shape of the house. They included finding an auspicious location, choosing an auspicious date for construction, and selecting the ideal terrain and house design in relation to the surrounding landscape.

This saying emphasizes the importance of the relative heights of the ‘Green Dragon’ and ‘White Tiger’. While it is acceptable for the east (‘Green Dragon’) to be higher, allowing it to soar high, the west (‘White Tiger’) should remain lower to avoid an ill omen. It suggests that an elevated ‘White Tiger’ may bring potential harm to the family.
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