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Sitting and Facing (Zuo Xiang)

Sitting and Facing (坐向, Zuo Xiang) refers to a building's orientation in feng shui—where its "back" rests (sitting) and where its "front" looks (facing). This fundamental measurement determines which feng shui charts and formulas apply to a property.

Last updated · Jan 14, 2026

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Sitting and Facing — building orientation in feng shui
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Meaning and ContextClassical RootsDetermining Sitting and FacingApplications in Feng Shui SystemsHow It Shows Up in FateFolioSources and QuotesFAQRelated

Meaning and Context

Zuo Xiang (坐向) combines "zuo" (坐, sitting) and "xiang" (向, facing). Every building has both: the sitting direction is where it "leans back" for support (like the Backing Mountain concept), and the facing direction is where it "looks out" to receive Qi.

The facing direction is typically 180 degrees opposite the sitting direction. Determining this accurately is crucial because it determines which Flying Stars chart, Eight Mansions type, and other feng shui calculations apply.

  • Sitting (坐): The back of the building; where it draws support from
  • Facing (向): The front of the building; where it receives primary Qi
  • Measurement: Usually determined by the main entrance or the most "open" side
  • Importance: Changes the entire feng shui analysis of a property
Critical measurement
Incorrect sitting/facing determination leads to applying wrong feng shui charts and formulas. This is one of the most common errors in amateur feng shui analysis.

Classical Roots

Classical texts establish the fundamental importance of orientation:

From Yangzhai Sanyo
「坐山立向，为风水之本。」
Plain translation
"Establishing the sitting mountain and facing direction is the foundation of feng shui."

This underscores why professional feng shui consultation always begins with accurate sitting/facing measurement.

Determining Sitting and Facing

Factors for determining a building's facing direction:

  • Main entrance: Often but not always indicates facing direction
  • Most open side: The side with most windows, best view, or most Yang energy
  • Road orientation: Buildings typically face toward the road or approach
  • Natural features: Traditional buildings face water and back to mountains
  • Energy flow: Where does the building seem to "look out" and receive Qi?

In complex cases (corner lots, buildings with entrances on multiple sides), determining facing requires professional judgment.

Applications in Feng Shui Systems

How sitting/facing affects different feng shui systems:

  1. Eight Mansions: Sitting direction determines the house "type" (East or West group)
  2. Flying Stars: Both sitting and facing needed for the natal chart calculation
  3. Form School: Facing direction determines the "bright hall" (Ming Tang) side
  4. 24 Mountains: The specific 15-degree sector affects detailed calculations
  5. Annual adjustments: Facing direction affects yearly Flying Star analysis
System variations
Different feng shui systems may emphasize different aspects of sitting/facing. Always clarify which system you are using and measure consistently.

How It Shows Up in FateFolio

In FateFolio's Feng Shui tool, sitting/facing analysis includes:

  • Guidance on determining your building's facing direction
  • Calculation of feng shui charts based on your facing
  • Explanation of how facing affects your specific analysis
  • Sector-by-sector recommendations based on orientation

Sources and Quotes

References include classical feng shui texts. Sitting/facing determination is fundamental across all feng shui schools.

Quoted excerpts

「坐山立向，为风水之本。」
Source： 《阳宅三要》· 确定坐山立向是风水的根本。
「背山面水，坐实朝虚。」
Source： 《葬书》· 背靠山面向水，坐要实朝要虚。

FAQ

Is the facing direction always where the main door is?

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Not necessarily. While the main door often indicates facing direction, other factors may override this: the most open or Yang side of the building, the side facing the road or best view, or traditional orientation (facing water, backing mountain). In modern buildings with side or rear entrances, the facing might be determined by window orientation or energy flow rather than door location.

What if my building seems to face two directions equally?

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Corner buildings or those with major openings on multiple sides can be challenging. Consider: Which side has more windows/light? Which faces the main road or approach? Which feels more like the "front" of the building? In truly ambiguous cases, some practitioners analyze the building using both possible facing directions and see which produces more accurate results.