What is Đông Tứ Trạch?
Đông Tứ Trạch is a group of four dwelling orientations (Kham, Chan, Ly, Ton) in Bát Trạch feng shui, associated with people of Đông Tứ Mệnh, with favorable directions North, East, Southeast, South.
Also called: East Four Houses
What is Đông Tứ Trạch?
Đông Tứ Trạch (East Four Houses) is one of the two major house groups in Bát Trạch (Eight Houses) feng shui, comprising four houses: Kham, Chan, Ly, Ton. This group is associated with people whose que so (trigram number) belongs to Đông Tứ Mệnh (East Four Destinies), namely Kham, Chan, Ly, Ton. The four favourable directions are North, East, Southeast and South, known by the four cung (palaces): Sinh Khí (Life Energy), Thien Y (Heavenly Doctor), Diên Niên (Longevity) and Phục Vị (Restoration). Depending on the house, each direction plays a different role.
What is the origin and theoretical basis of Đông Tứ Trạch?
Đông Tứ Trạch belongs to the Bát Trạch system, a school of feng shui based on Cung Phi (also called que so or Kua number). Cung Phi is calculated from a person's lunar birth year and gender. From the trigram number, one determines whether the destiny belongs to Đông Tứ Mệnh or Tây Tứ Mệnh (West Four Destinies), then deduces the corresponding house group. Bát Trạch also divides the eight directions into four favourable and four unfavourable directions, each tied to a star palace.
Which houses belong to Đông Tứ Trạch?
The four houses in this group are:
- Trạch Khảm: corresponds to the Kham trigram (Water), favourable directions are North (Phục Vị), East (Thien Y), Southeast (Sinh Khí) and South (Diên Niên).
- Trạch Chấn: corresponds to the Chan trigram (Wood), favourable directions are North, East, Southeast and South, with the corresponding palaces according to Bát Trạch.
- Trạch Ly: corresponds to the Ly trigram (Fire), the most favourable direction is South (Phục Vị), then Southeast (Sinh Khí), East (Thien Y) and North (Diên Niên).
- Trạch Tốn: corresponds to the Ton trigram (Wood), favourable directions are North (Sinh Khí), East (Thien Y), South (Diên Niên) and Southeast (Phục Vị).
How is Đông Tứ Trạch used in practice?
When choosing a house or arranging a space, people usually determine the householder's trigram number to know whether they belong to Đông Tứ Mệnh or Tây Tứ Mệnh. If they belong to Đông Tứ Mệnh, priority should be given to directions in Đông Tứ Trạch for the main door, altar, kitchen and bed. Conversely, directions in Tây Tứ Trạch (West, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast) should be avoided as they are considered unfavourable.
How does Đông Tứ Trạch differ from Tây Tứ Trạch?
Đông Tứ Trạch and Tây Tứ Trạch are two opposing groups in Bát Trạch. Tây Tứ Trạch comprises Can, Khon, Can, Doai, corresponding to people of Tây Tứ Mệnh, whose favourable directions are West, Northwest, Southwest and Northeast. Confusing the two groups can lead to choosing directions that do not suit the householder's destiny and house.
What should be noted when applying Đông Tứ Trạch?
Đông Tứ Trạch is traditional knowledge of a reference nature and has not been scientifically verified. Readers should consider combining it with other practical factors when applying it.
How do different schools interpret it?
- Classical interpretation: Đông Tứ Trạch is closely tied to Bát Trạch, using the trigram number to determine destiny and house, and to choose house directions according to the four favourable and unfavourable palaces.
- Modern interpretation: Many people view Đông Tứ Trạch as a reference factor, combined with architectural design, lighting, ventilation and functionality of use.
- Combined interpretation: Some feng shui masters combine Đông Tứ Trạch with other schools such as Huyền Không Phi Tinh (Flying Star) for a more comprehensive reading.
Related articles
- Trạch Khảm (Đông Tứ Trạch) in Bát Trạch feng shui: Characteristics and directions suited to destiny
- Trạch Chấn (Đông Tứ Trạch) in Bát Trạch feng shui: Characteristics and directions suited to destiny
- Trạch Ly (Đông Tứ Trạch) in Bát Trạch feng shui: Characteristics and directions suited to destiny
- Trạch Tốn (Đông Tứ Trạch) in Bát Trạch feng shui: Characteristics and directions suited to destiny
- What is Bát Trạch? Đông Tứ Trạch, Tây Tứ Trạch and How to Choose Directions Suited to Destiny
What are the four Cung Phi belonging to Đông Tứ Mệnh?
| Cung Phi (Kua) | Trigram | Four favourable directions | Four directions to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kham | Southeast, East, South, North | West, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest |
| 3 | Chan | South, North, Southeast, East | Southwest, Northeast, Northwest, West |
| 4 | Ton | North, South, East, Southeast | Northwest, West, Southwest, Northeast |
| 9 | Ly | East, Southeast, North, South | Northeast, Southwest, West, Northwest |
Đông Tứ Mệnh comprises the four trigram numbers Kham, Ly, Chan and Ton, corresponding to the four directions North, South, East and Southeast. People of Đông Tứ Mệnh are suited to Đông Tứ Trạch houses, meaning houses facing one of those four directions.
The figures in the table match the results of the lookup tools on Nhật Nguyệt.
