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TL;DR: Bing mountain direction is one of the 24 mountain directions in the feng shui compass system, located in the Li trigram (Fire element). It is often used to determine a house's sitting or facing direction, and combined with other factors to assess auspiciousness in schools like Ba Zhai, Xuan Kong, and San He. This article analyzes its position, characteristics, combinations, and practical applications.
What is the 24 mount system in feng shui?
In Eastern feng shui, the 24 mount system (also called the 24 mountains or 24 directions) is an important foundation for determining the direction of land, houses and graves. This system divides the 360 degree circle into 24 equal parts, each 15 degrees. The twenty-four mounts are formed from the combination of the 12 earthly branches (Tý, Sửu, Dần, Mão, Thìn, Tỵ, Ngọ, Mùi, Thân, Dậu, Tuất, Hợi), the 8 heavenly stems (Giáp, Ất, Bính, Đinh, Mậu, Kỷ, Canh, Tân, Nhâm, Quý, but leaving out the 2 stems Mậu and Kỷ because they represent the central palace), and 4 trigrams from the bagua (Càn, Khôn, Cấn, Tốn). Specifically, the 24 mounts are: Tý, Quý, Sửu, Cấn, Dần, Giáp, Mão, Ất, Thìn, Tốn, Tỵ, Bính, Ngọ, Đinh, Mùi, Khôn, Thân, Canh, Dậu, Tân, Tuất, Càn, Hợi, Nhâm.
Each mount carries one of the five elements, one trigram, and many characteristics of its own. Understanding each mount clearly helps practitioners apply feng shui accurately and avoid mistakes when measuring directions and interpreting them.
Position and characteristics of the Bính mount
Where is the Bính mount on the feng shui compass?
The Bính mount lies between 157.5 and 172.5 degrees (measured from North clockwise), with 165 degrees at its centre. On the compass, the Bính mount belongs to the Ly palace, that is, the South. Within the three mounts of the Ly palace, there are three: Bính (the south-east side of the Ly palace), Ngọ (due south), and Đinh (the south-west side of the Ly palace). So the Bính mount sits offset toward the south-east relative to due south.
What are the five element and the trigram of the Bính mount?
The Bính mount belongs to the Fire element, the Ly trigram. The Ly trigram represents fire, brightness, wisdom and connection. Therefore the Bính mount carries the energy of the Fire element, expressing enthusiasm, dynamism and the capacity to illuminate. In nature, Fire represents the sun, light and warmth.
How does the Bính mount relate to other factors?
In the theory of the five elements, Fire generates Earth, and Fire controls Metal. Therefore the Bính mount has a generating relationship with the mounts of the Earth element (such as the Khôn mount and the Cấn mount) and a controlling relationship with the mounts of the Metal element (such as the Canh mount, the Tân mount and the Dậu mount). In addition, Wood generates Fire, so the mounts of the Wood element (such as Giáp, Ất, Dần, Mão) can support the Bính mount.
What is the meaning of the Bính mount direction in feng shui?
Overview of the meaning of the Bính mount direction
The Bính mount is generally considered a good direction, bringing prosperity, reputation and good fortune when used correctly. The Fire element signifies rapid development, enthusiasm in work and leadership ability. A house sitting on Bính or facing Bính is generally considered suitable for those who want their career to advance and who have the ambition to rise.
The Bát Trạch (Eight Houses) angle on the Bính mount direction
In the Bát Trạch school, each person has four good directions and four bad directions based on their life trigram (Đông Tứ Trạch or Tây Tứ Trạch). The Bính mount belongs to Đông Tứ Trạch because it belongs to the Ly trigram. People whose life trigram is Đông Tứ Trạch (Khảm, Ly, Chấn, Tốn) can use the Bính direction as a good direction. Specifically:
- For a person of the Ly palace, the Bính mount lies within the South direction, and the South is the Phục Vị of the Ly palace, that is, one of the four good directions.
- For a person of the Khảm palace, the Bính mount still lies within the South direction, and the South is the Diên Niên of the Khảm palace, also one of the four good directions. The Sinh Khí of the Khảm palace is the South-East direction, not the South.
One limitation of this way of interpreting should be stated clearly: Bát Trạch divides the compass into eight 45 degree directions, and it does not distinguish the three mounts lying within the same direction. To say "the Bính direction is the Diên Niên of the Khảm palace" is in fact to say "the South direction containing the Bính mount is the Diên Niên of the Khảm palace". To separate the Bính mount from the Ngọ mount and the Đinh mount, another system must be used, for example Tam Nguyên long or Huyền Không flying stars.
However, determining good and bad directions must rest on the combination of the house direction and the owner's life trigram, and should not be applied mechanically.
The Huyền Không angle on the Bính mount direction
In the Huyền Không school (Flying Stars), each mount direction has a course of its own, depending on time (period, year, month). The Bính mount, combined with the flying stars, produces different auspicious and inauspicious combinations. For example, in period 8 (2004-2023), the Bính direction can receive the Prosperous energy star (star number 8) if it sits at a suitable mount, bringing wealth. Conversely, if it meets a bad star such as the Five Yellow (number 5), it can cause disaster.
To interpret accurately, a Huyền Không chart must be set up for each house based on its direction and the time of construction.
The Tam Hợp angle on the Bính mount direction
The Tam Hợp school emphasises the harmony between the dragon vein, the water and the direction. The Bính mount belongs to the Fire triad (which includes Dần, Ngọ, Tuất). Therefore, when using the Bính mount, the terrain and the surrounding water direction must be considered, to see whether they belong to mounts of the Fire triad so as to form a Tam Hợp configuration. If water comes from the Dần or Tuất direction, it can form a good configuration, helping to bring out the energy of the Bính mount.
How is the Bính mount direction determined?
How to use a feng shui compass to determine the Bính mount direction
To determine the exact coordinates of the Bính mount, the user needs a feng shui compass (la kinh) with degree markings and the 24 mount ring. The method:
- Stand at the centre of the house or the position to be measured, and rotate the compass so that the needle points to North (0 degrees).
- Read the degree number on the degree ring at the position of the direction you want to determine (for example, the direction the house facade faces).
- If the degree number falls between 157.5 and 172.5 degrees, then that direction belongs to the Bính mount.
Notes when measuring the Bính mount direction
- Avoid the influence of metal and electronic objects near the compass.
- Measure several times at different positions to get an accurate result.
- If the direction falls on the boundary between two mounts (for example near 157.5 degrees), consider it carefully, because it may belong to the Tỵ mount or the Bính mount, and each mount has a different meaning.
Practical applications of the Bính mount direction
How to choose a house direction according to the Bính mount direction?
Many people choose the Bính direction for their house in the hope of receiving good energy from the South, especially sunlight, creating a feeling of warmth and full vitality. However, the overall context, the terrain and the life trigram of the householder must be considered.
For example: a person of the Ly life trigram (belonging to Đông Tứ Trạch) living in a house facing Bính can be considered relatively compatible, because the house direction and the life trigram both belong to Đông Tứ Trạch, creating harmony.
How to place an altar, kitchen or bed according to the Bính mount direction?
The Bính mount is also used to determine important positions in the house:
| Position | Direction | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Altar | Facing the Bính direction | Can bring clarity and peaceful spirituality if it suits the householder's life trigram. |
| Kitchen | The kitchen direction (the direction the stove faces, not the direction the stove is placed) is usually chosen according to the life trigram. | A kitchen facing Bính suits people of the Fire or Earth element, because Fire generates Earth. |
| Bed | Placing the bed along the Bính direction | Can help the sleeper feel warm and comfortable, but should be avoided if that person belongs to the Metal element, because Fire controls Metal. |
How to build graves according to the Bính mount direction?
In yin house feng shui, the Bính mount is often used to orient graves. However, this is very complex and requires consideration of the dragon vein, the water mouth and many other factors, and should not be applied arbitrarily.
Comparing the Bính mount with neighbouring mounts
The Tỵ mount (157.5-142.5? In fact Tỵ lies at 142.5-157.5)
The Tỵ mount lies before the Bính mount (that is, from 142.5 to 157.5 degrees). Tỵ belongs to the Fire element (in the five elements, Tỵ is originally Fire), but belongs to the Tốn trigram, not the Ly trigram. The Tỵ mount carries the energy of wind and spread, but also has a Fire nature. Compared with Bính, the Tỵ mount leans toward flexibility and adaptation, while Bính leans toward clarity and decisiveness.
The Ngọ mount (172.5-187.5)
The Ngọ mount lies at the centre of the Ly palace, and is due south. Ngọ belongs to the Fire element, the Ly trigram, but is the central position of Fire. Ngọ has the strongest energy among the three mounts of the Ly palace, and is generally considered to represent the extreme peak of Fire. However, Ngọ can also cause overheating and easily lead to disputes if it is not resolved. The Bính mount is gentler and easier to use in many cases.
The Đinh mount (187.5-202.5)
The Đinh mount lies after the Ngọ mount, belongs to the Fire element but sits in the south-west part of the Ly palace. Đinh is generally considered a mount that brings warmth, but it is also associated with women and children. Compared with Bính, Đinh leans more yin, while Bính leans yang.
What are the views and debates concerning the Bính mount direction?
In feng shui circles, there are various views on how to use the Bính mount direction:
- Some hold that the Bính direction should be used only for people of the Fire or Earth element, because the Fire element generates Earth, but people of the Water element should avoid it because Water controls Fire.
- Some feng shui schools emphasise the pairing of mount and direction, not relying only on the householder's life trigram. For example, a house sitting on Bính and facing Nhâm (that is, a house with its back to the South and its face to the North) is a common type of mount and direction, considered good if water gathers in front.
It should be noted that feng shui is not an absolutely exact science, but a system of knowledge that is empirical in nature and influenced by culture and belief. When applying it, users should combine it with other factors such as age, life trigram, specific circumstances and the advice of an expert.
