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Eight Mansions (Ba Zhai)

Eight Mansions (八宅, Ba Zhai) is one of the most widely practiced feng shui systems. It classifies both buildings and people into East or West groups, each with four auspicious and four inauspicious directions. Matching people to compatible houses is a core application.

Last updated · Jan 14, 2026

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Eight Mansions — Ba Zhai feng shui system
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Meaning and ContextClassical RootsThe Eight Directional EnergiesApplying Eight MansionsHow It Shows Up in FateFolioSources and QuotesFAQRelated

Meaning and Context

Ba Zhai (八宅) means "Eight Houses" or "Eight Mansions." The system divides all possible house orientations into eight types based on sitting direction, and similarly classifies people based on their birth year and gender.

Each of the eight house types has eight directional sectors, four considered auspicious and four inauspicious. The goal is to position important areas (bedroom, study, entrance) in auspicious sectors.

  • East Group Houses: Kan, Zhen, Xun, Li (sitting N, E, SE, S)
  • West Group Houses: Qian, Kun, Gen, Dui (sitting NW, SW, NE, W)
  • East Group People: Gua numbers 1, 3, 4, 9
  • West Group People: Gua numbers 2, 6, 7, 8
Matching principle
Ideally, East Group people live in East Group houses, and West Group people in West Group houses. Cross-group combinations may require careful room selection to optimize individual directions.

Classical Roots

Classical texts describe the eight house types:

From Yangzhai Sanyo
「八宅分东西，各有吉凶方。」
Plain translation
"The Eight Mansions divide into East and West, each with their auspicious and inauspicious directions."

This system has been practiced for centuries and remains one of the most accessible feng shui methods.

The Eight Directional Energies

Each house has these eight energies in specific locations:

  • Sheng Qi (生气): Vitality, prosperity, advancement - most auspicious
  • Tian Yi (天医): Heavenly Doctor, health, recovery
  • Yan Nian (延年): Longevity, relationships, harmony
  • Fu Wei (伏位): Stability, foundation, peacefulness
  • Huo Hai (祸害): Mishaps, small problems
  • Liu Sha (六煞): Six Killings, relationship problems
  • Wu Gui (五鬼): Five Ghosts, backstabbing, accidents
  • Jue Ming (绝命): Total Loss, most inauspicious

The first four are auspicious, the last four inauspicious. Their locations depend on the house's sitting direction.

Applying Eight Mansions

Practical applications of the system:

  1. Determine house sitting direction and identify its Eight Mansion type
  2. Map the eight energies to the eight sectors of the home
  3. Calculate personal Gua number based on birth year and gender
  4. Position bedroom in Sheng Qi or Tian Yi sector when possible
  5. Avoid placing bed in Jue Ming or Wu Gui sectors
  6. Orient desk/bed to face personal auspicious direction
Practical limitation
In multi-person households, different family members may have different auspicious directions. Prioritize the main breadwinner's or health-vulnerable person's directions.

How It Shows Up in FateFolio

In FateFolio's Feng Shui tool, Eight Mansions analysis includes:

  • Identification of your house's Eight Mansion type
  • Mapping of eight energies to your floor plan sectors
  • Personal Gua number calculation
  • Room placement recommendations based on directional energies

Sources and Quotes

References include classical feng shui texts. Eight Mansions is one of the most established and widely practiced feng shui systems.

Quoted excerpts

「八宅分东西，各有吉凶方。」
Source： 《阳宅三要》· 八宅分为东四宅和西四宅，各有吉凶方位。
「方位既定，吉凶自现。」
Source： 《葬书》· 方位确定后，吉凶就自然显现。

FAQ

What if my personal group does not match my house group?

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Cross-group situations (e.g., East person in West house) are common and workable. Focus on using your personal auspicious directions within the house—face auspicious directions when sleeping or working, even if the room itself is in a less favorable house sector. For major decisions like buying a home, group matching is ideal but not absolute. A great house in a great location with some directional compromises often outweighs a perfectly matched but otherwise unsuitable home.

How do I calculate my personal Gua number?

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For males born 1900-1999: Take the last two digits of birth year, add them together, reduce to single digit, subtract from 10. For females born 1900-1999: Take the last two digits, add together, reduce to single digit, add 5, reduce to single digit if needed. For years 2000 and later, subtract from 9 (males) or add 6 (females). Note: If result is 5, males become 2, females become 8.