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The meaning of ‘hứng lệ’ in the ancient saying ‘Building a house that fetches tears, crying twice in 3 years’ is what?

According to Feng Shui beliefs, it is advised to avoid building a "leaking water" house. So what exactly is a leaking water house and why should it be avoided?

Administrator

15 March, 2024

Our ancestors paid great attention to the feng shui elements when building houses. This is because the house has a significant impact on the life, destiny, and future of the entire family. A house with good feng shui will help the homeowners become better and more prosperous.

Our ancestors had many sayings about the experience of building houses, such as the saying “Building a tear-streaked house, crying twice in three years.” What does “tear-streaked house” mean?

Building a tear-streaked house, crying twice in three years

What does “tear-streaked house” mean?

As we all know, building houses in ancient times was not like building houses in modern times, where you can build a house just by preparing materials. Our ancestors needed to study many things, not only preparing materials and finding a good location but also considering the feng shui elements. Because for them, the house they were about to build was not only for their generation but also for future generations, a place where many memories of the extended family would be preserved.

For them, whether it was getting married, moving to a new house, or other events, they always wanted to find auspicious days and months so that everything they did would not encounter misfortune.

In modern times, with limited land and a dense population, houses are often built with multiple floors within a high-rise building.

However, in ancient times, it was completely different. There were no multi-story houses, and the individual houses/rooms were separated and surrounded the main house. The main house was usually larger and was where the eldest person in the family lived. The smaller houses next to it, which were lower and had overlapping tile roofs (used by younger members of the family), were called “tear-streaked 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 teardrops falling, hence the name “tear-streaked house.”

The saying “Building a tear-streaked house, crying twice in three years” is related to the feng shui beliefs of ancient times. This saying advises people not to build tear-streaked houses. In case they want to build one, they must follow feng shui principles to avoid misfortunes for the homeowners.

Our ancestors had a strong belief in feng shui and supernatural powers. They believed that rain was truly a lucky occurrence that could wash away all evil and misfortune. And when the raindrops fell and soaked into the ground, it had a good feng shui meaning. It meant that the bad luck and misfortune of their homes would be washed away.

However, if the rainwater accumulated into puddles and could not drain away, it meant that misfortunes and evil would accumulate and harm the homeowners.

In the case of tear-streaked houses, when building a tear-streaked house close to the main house, when it pours heavily, the rainwater from the roof of the main house will fall onto the tear-streaked house more and cannot drain away, forming stagnant water on the roof. In ancient feng shui, this is considered inauspicious.

Besides the understanding of feng shui aspects, we can also understand from other practical perspectives. Since in ancient times there was no cement, people often built houses with grass and straw mixed with a little soil, so these houses were relatively unsafe.

If the weather is good, these houses can be lived in normally. But if there is heavy and prolonged rain, the houses made of mud may not withstand such severe storms. Moreover, if the main house is too close to the tear-streaked house, it will cause more rainwater from the higher house to pour down onto the lower house, causing the stagnant water to linger longer, making it damp, prone to collapse, and unsafe.

That is why, if tear-streaked houses are built too close to the main house (the big house), it is considered highly unfavorable in ancient house construction.

One way to partially resolve this issue is to build the tear-streaked house at an appropriate distance from the main house to avoid catching all the rainwater from the main roof. It is also important to change the construction materials to make the house more sturdy and capable of withstanding harsh weather.

A phrase “crying twice in three years” refers to receiving sunlight.

Because tear-streaked houses are usually lower and smaller than the main house, the amount of sunlight shining into the tear-streaked house is less than the main house (darker). Living in a relatively dark house will greatly affect the mood of the occupants.

Not only does it affect mood, but a house lacking sunlight and fresh air can also cause illness to the occupants. Illness is one of the misfortunes that no one wants, and it can make the homeowners suffer continuously.

Furthermore, the phrase “crying twice in three years” has a relative meaning. It suggests that if a household has a tear-streaked house – if feng shui principles, distance, and sunlight cannot be guaranteed – they will face many misfortunes and continuous sorrow.

The teaching “Building a tear-streaked house, crying twice in three years” is perhaps more true 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 remains effective.

Frequently asked questions

In ancient times, smaller houses or rooms built adjacent to and surrounded by the main house were known as “tear-streaked houses.” These were typically occupied by younger family members. When it rained, water from the main house’s roof would fall onto these smaller dwellings, resembling teardrops from a distance, hence the name.

Ancient beliefs held that rainwater carried good fortune, washing away evil and misfortune. However, if this water accumulated and became stagnant, it was seen as a harbinger of misfortune and harm to the homeowners. Additionally, the proximity of the “tear-streaked house” to the main house could result in unsafe living conditions due to the increased risk of collapse during heavy and prolonged rain.

This ancient saying discourages the construction of “tear-streaked houses” due to feng shui and practical concerns. It suggests that building such a house without adhering to feng shui principles and ensuring proper distance from the main house will bring misfortune and sorrow to its occupants, potentially lasting for years.

One solution is to build the “tear-streaked house” at a distance from the main house to avoid excessive rainwater runoff. Additionally, using sturdier construction materials can help ensure the structure can withstand harsh weather conditions.

“Tear-streaked houses” often receive less sunlight due to their smaller size and proximity to the main house. This lack of sunlight can negatively impact the mood and health of the occupants, leading to a continuous state of sorrow and potential illness.