The Culture of Fengshui in Korea: An Exploration of East Asian Geomancy (AsiaWorld) [Paperback]

Hong-Key Yoon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0739113496 | ISBN-13: 978-0739113493 | Publication Date: May 6, 2008 | Edition: Reprint

The term Fengshui, which literally means 'wind and water,' is the ancient Chinese art of selecting an auspicious site to provide the most harmonious relationship between human and earth. The term is generally translated as 'geomancy,' and has had a deep and extensive impact on Korean, Chinese, and other East Asian cultures. Hong-key Yoon's book explores the nature of geomantic principles and the culture of practicing them in Korean cultural contexts. Yoon first examines the nature and historical background of geomancy, geomantic principles for auspicious sites (houses, graves, and cities) and provides an interpretation of geomantic principles as practiced in Korea. Yoon looks at geomancy's influence on cartography, religion and philosophy, and urban development in both Korea and China. Finally, Yoon debates the role of geomancy in the iconographical warfare between Japanese colonialism and Korean nationalism as it affected the cultural landscape of Kyongbok Palace in Seoul.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book provides valuable resources and should be helpful for other researchers in understanding the cultural development of Feng Shui in Korea. It should also encourage more research in this area. (Journal Of Scientific Exploration )

This book is a volume of great interest for New Zealand and international, western readerships. (The New Zealand Geographical Society )

The Culture of Fengshui in Korea explores in fine detail the cultural, geographical, superstitious, religious, and scientific aspects of fengshui. To argue that it is an excellent and comprehensive study would be an understatement. (The Review Of Korean Studies )

A 'Berkeley School' tour de force in the mainstream erudite traditions of cultural geographers Sauer and Glacken, the sociologist Eberhard, and the anthropologist Kroeber. Yoon systematically and successfully explores the treacherously sublime multifaceted tip of the fengshui iceberg in Korea with a requisite geographical background and training unprecedented in the massive fengshui literature. He clearly articulates his discoveries in English, making accessible to a broad academic audience the essentials of the complex fengshui cosmography and its applications, from macro-scale to micro-scale. (Nemeth, David J. )

About the Author

Hong-key Yoon is associate professor in the School of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Lexington Books; Reprint edition (May 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739113496
• ISBN-13: 978-0739113493
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,899,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.