Fǎn Gōng Shā in residential feng shui - identification and remedies

What is Phản Cung Sát?

Phản Cung Sát (反弓煞, pinyin: Fǎn Gōng Shā) is one of the common threatening configurations in home feng shui, belonging to the group of "form threats" (harmful energies caused by the shape of terrain or architecture). The name comes from the image of a bow bent backwards: when your house sits on the concave side of a curve (a road, a river or stream, a corridor, a wall), that curve resembles a bow aimed at the house, and the house is the target. In contrast to the auspicious "Hoàn Bão" configuration (an embrace, a sheltering) that occurs when the house sits on the convex side of the curve, Phản Cung Sát creates a feeling of being pushed away, being attacked, where energy does not gather but scatters.

According to the beliefs of the ancients, living in a Phản Cung Sát configuration tends to bring difficulties in health, especially problems related to bones and joints and to accidents, along with loss of wealth, unstable spirits and mounting tension in family relationships. It should be understood, however, that this is an observation based on folk experience, not an absolute scientific law. The degree of impact also depends on the distance, size and direction of the source of the threat, as well as the overall feng shui situation of the house.

A comparison table of the commonly encountered forms of Phản Cung Sát and their corresponding levels of impact.

What are the common forms of Phản Cung Sát?

Concave road curve (road or railway)

This is the most common form. The house sits on the belly of the bend, meaning that seen from above, the curve is like an arc embracing the house but in the opposite direction: the concave part faces the house. Note the distinction: if the road embraces the house along its convex side (the house sits inside the curve), that is a good configuration. If the curve leaves the house on its outer side, meaning the road appears to be "shooting an arrow" at the house, that is Phản Cung.

Meandering rivers, canals

Water governs wealth, but a swift current flowing through a bend where the house sits on the concave bank creates an eroding configuration, not only in feng shui terms but also geologically: the concave bank is typically worn away by the flow. If a house sits on the concave bank of a river, it is both exposed to Phản Cung Sát and at real risk of erosion.

Winding corridors, staircases, walls inside the home

Phản Cung Sát does not only appear in the outside environment; it can also form right inside the house. A long sweeping curved corridor, a winding staircase hugging a bedroom, or a wall curved along a walkway can all create a similar threatening configuration, though milder in degree.

Other architectural structures (high-rise buildings, overpasses)

A house surrounded by high-rise buildings whose concave curved facades face it, or an overpass with a curved lane embracing the residential area, is also regarded as a modern form of Phản Cung Sát.

How do you identify Phản Cung Sát accurately?

To identify Phản Cung Sát, you need to observe from above (using satellite maps) and from ground level. The following criteria help determine it:

• Shape of the curve: Determine whether the curve is concave or convex relative to the house's position. Stretch a string across the two ends of the curve; if the house lies outside the string (on the side away from the centre of the circle), that is Phản Cung.
• Distance: The threatening energy is strongest when the house sits right at the edge of the road (under 10 metres). At a distance of more than 30 metres, the impact decreases significantly.
• Speed of the energy flow: The wider the road and the faster the vehicles, or the swifter the river, the stronger the threatening energy.
• Direction of the bow: The sharper the angle at which the curve points toward the house (the more directly it faces it), the more dangerous it is. If the curve embraces but is skewed to one side, the level is somewhat reduced.

In addition, Phản Cung Sát must be distinguished from other threatening configurations such as the "straight road piercing" (Xung Sát) or the "embracing arc" (Hoàn Bão). Phản Cung Sát is characterised by its curved, winding nature, not by a straight line.

What decides how severe Phản Cung Sát is?

Not every house facing Phản Cung Sát suffers a severe impact. The following factors increase or reduce the degree:

• Geographical distance: Close means heavy, far means light.
• Degree of curvature: The sharper the curve and the smaller the radius, the stronger the threat.
• Orientation of the house: If the main door or a bedroom lies on the side exposed to the threat, the impact is more pronounced.
• Structure of the house: A solid multi-storey house with a protective wall or shielding trees will reduce the effect.
• Fortune of the household head: Feng shui is only one part; if the household head is enjoying good fortune, the impact may not manifest immediately, but over the long term it should still be remedied.

How do you remedy Phản Cung Sát?

Physical and architectural remedies

• Build a wall or plant a hedge on the side facing the threat: this creates a physical barrier and reduces the force of the energy flow. Dense shrubs or a solid fence more than 1 metre high should be used.
• Place a blocking stone or a screen: If the threat comes from outside, place a large rock, a screen or a statue between the house and the source of the threat to "block" the arrow.
• Adjust the main door: If possible, turn the main door to another direction, avoiding a door that directly faces the threatening arc. Relocating the door is a strong measure but the most effective one.

Using feng shui objects

• Convex mirror (convex bagua mirror): Hang it at the main door or a window facing the source of the threat; a convex mirror disperses and reflects the threatening energy away. Note that you should not hang a convex mirror so that it shines into someone else's house, as this may cause feng shui harm to your neighbours.
• Tỳ Hưu, Kỳ Lân: Place them in the position exposed to the threat (window, balcony) with their heads facing the source of the threat to guard the home.
• Feng shui spheres (stone spheres, quartz spheres): Place them on a table or shelf near the window to help regulate energy and reduce the clash.
• Metal wind chimes: Hang them in the area exposed to the threat; the sound of the chimes helps disperse and soften the unfavourable energy flow.

Using the five elements to neutralise

Depending on the direction of the source of the threat, use a controlling or draining element. For example:

• If the threat comes from the East (Wood), use the Metal element (metal, wind chimes) to control it.
• If the threat comes from the West (Metal), use the Fire element (lamps, red colours) to neutralise it.
• If the threat comes from the North (Water), use the Earth element (ceramics, stone) to block it.

However, applying the five elements requires subtlety, and overuse should be avoided as it causes imbalance. It is advisable to consult a feng shui expert to choose a solution suited to the household head's destiny.

Remedies inside the home

If Phản Cung Sát appears indoors (a curved corridor, a staircase), then:

• Remedy it by placing a flat mirror at the end of the corridor to "draw in" energy, turning a clashing configuration into a gathering one.
• Hang a curtain or blind at the point of the curve to slow the energy flow.
• Use green plants placed at the curved corner to redirect energy.

Psychological and lifestyle measures

Feng shui is not the only factor. Even if a house has Phản Cung Sát, if the household head keeps an optimistic spirit, lives healthily and arranges the interior harmoniously, the negative impact will be greatly remedied. Conversely, a house with good feng shui but people living in discord and under pressure will find it hard to attain good fortune.