Bow Back Sha (Fan Gong Sha)

Fan Gong Sha (反弓煞) literally means "reverse bow sha" or "bow-back sha." The imagery comes from an archer's bow—when you sit on the outer curve of a road, the road curves away from you like the back of a drawn bow, rather than embracing you like the inner curve would.

In feng shui, water and roads are carriers of Qi. A road or water that curves around a building on the inside (embracing) is considered auspicious, gathering and delivering beneficial energy. The opposite—sitting on the outside of the curve—is thought to push energy away.

• Formation: Building on the outer arc of a curved road or river
• Opposite: "Jade Belt" (玉带环腰) when on the inner curve—considered auspicious
• Effect: Energy flows away instead of toward the building
• Associations: Financial loss, instability, lack of support

Classical texts distinguish between embracing and repelling curves:

The concept of "sentiment" (情, qing) in feng shui refers to whether landforms and waterways seem to "care for" or "protect" a site, or whether they turn away.

How to determine if your property has Bow Back Sha:

• Look at curved roads or waterways near your building
• Determine if you are on the inside (concave) or outside (convex) of the curve
• Inside curve = embracing, auspicious; Outside curve = bow back, inauspicious
• The more pronounced the curve and the closer to the building, the stronger the effect
• Consider what part of your building faces the curve (front, side, or back)

Front-facing Bow Back Sha is considered most serious; side or rear exposure is less impactful but still worth addressing.

Traditional and practical solutions:

1. Screening: Trees, hedges, or walls between the building and the curved road
2. Water features: A fountain or pond on the property to "gather" Qi
3. Deflection: Traditional cures like convex mirrors to redirect energy
4. Interior arrangement: Avoid placing important rooms or beds facing the curve
5. Symbolic: Protective imagery or objects facing the curve

In FateFolio's Feng Shui tool, Bow Back Sha analysis includes:

• Identification based on your property description
• Assessment of severity based on curve proximity and facing direction
• Specific remedies appropriate to your situation
• Comparison with other feng shui factors for prioritization

References include classical feng shui texts. The Bow Back Sha concept applies equally to roads and waterways.