The ancient, nature honoring art of Feng Shui is a well known aesthetic guide from the eastern hemisphere, and its main tool of divination is the Chinese Feng Shui compass. For centuries it has been used to locate a home or building's main focal point of energy, and to perfect the flow of the life force through the spaces.

Unlike the Northward-bound compass from the western world, the Chinese compass points to the South. After an experiment with a metal spoon, the ancients derived the true planetary source from which the magnetic flow originates, the South pole, and designed their compass to lead toward it.

For a building still under construction, the Lo-Pan directs what direction certain features, like windows, doorways, and walls should face for the most cohesive design that can be made among the surrounding terrain. Lo-Pan means 'bowl of everything' or in more detail, 'bowl that opens the gateway to all universal mystery'. In post-construction buildings, decorations and furniture can be lead into their best placements in rooms and around doorways.

Since metallic objects disrupt the readings the compass needle gives out, it is also believed that a concentration of metals blocks the entire flow of the planet in that spot, meaning negative forces might take advantage and open a portal. Masters and advisers will obviously suggest a removal or greater dispersion of these metals if at all possible.

This good energy of nature is known as the Qi, usually said Chi, and it permeates throughout every living thing and all places in the world. To encourage Chi to move correctly through an artificial construct such as a human home, certain precautions must be taken to ward off opportunistic negatives. Specific kinds of Chi can also be invited in by appropriately placing plants such as bamboo, or Chinese gold coins.

As a divining tool, the compass is precise, and all the user must do is face the area of desired assessment, and consult the direction of the needle. The compass face is divided into elements, or dragons, based on the polar direction, and these elements correlate to certain energies. If the element shown is, in fact, the desired matching element for this specific area, then balance is achieved.

The Lo-Pan has been used in China for centuries, leading as the guiding force in constructing buildings, and even the directions of entire cities. The Chinese Feng Shui compass takes on a few different forms to better suit varying personalities and experience, allowing anyone to access the ancient wisdom of beauty in nature.