Here are some considerations:
1. It depends on whom you consult or seek advice from, as there are two main opinions based on different Feng Shui schools of thought regarding this issue:
1.1. The Conservatives
1.2. The Modernists
2. The Conservatives
2.1. Conservatives base their beliefs on traditional practices, focusing mainly on one key aspect: the main door. They believe all Feng Shui readings should be taken from the main door.
2.2. Generally, Conservatives use the method known as "standing inside the main door looking outwards." For example, they may refer to the orientation as NE1 or 35 degrees.
2.3. Most Conservatives feel confident that they are following the rules closely and by the book. This approach is rooted in ancient references that emphasize the importance of the main door.
2.4. Another point to consider is the saying, “Old habits die hard.” Many Feng Shui Masters (FSM) repeat the same methods over and over, turning their practice into a routine.
2.5. Some FSM are inflexible and unwilling to accept new ideas. Because of this attitude, there will always be groups of Conservative practitioners to take their place when they retire.
3.The Modernists
3.1 I hesitate to use the term "Modernists," as it can create the impression that this group recently introduced new concepts or theories. That is not the case, as I will explain below. However, for those who are open-minded, it is acceptable to refer to this group as Modernists.
3.2 In general, this group of Feng Shui Masters considers how the ancient practitioners might have explained things differently, especially now that high-rise buildings are becoming more common.
3.3 Many of these Masters understand what the ancients meant, even when they simply referred to "THE MAIN DOOR." What the ancients were actually describing was a time when the main door and the frontage of a home were essentially the same.
3.3.1 The lack of specific instruction from ancient sources does not mean that those who do not strictly use only the main door are at fault.
3.4 In the past, when approaching a property, the main door or frontage was usually very prominent and easy to identify. Most were grand and welcoming entryways.
3.5. What the Conservatives overlook is that in the past, aside from pagodas or temples, most homes were single-story or, at most, two stories. These houses were similar to today’s landed properties, such as terrace homes, semi-detached houses, or bungalows.
3.6. In Singapore, most of these homes are built back-to-back with each other. It’s highly unlikely that the rear of the house would be considered the facing direction, since the back often faces someone else’s wet kitchen, laundry area, or yard.
3.6.1. In addition, many air-conditioning compressors are often located at the rear of the house.
3.6.2. Therefore, in about 90% of these cases, the facing direction of such homes is the side where you would drive up to the gate, which is also where the main door is located.
3.7. Modernists would generally consider your property to face NE2 or 46 degrees.
4. So, who is right or wrong?
4.1. It is safe to say that in the past, when the ancients advised taking a reading by standing inside the main door facing outwards, they were referring to the main door.
4.2. Their reasoning was that these instructions were simpler to understand than using the term “frontage.”
4.3. Although the ancients provided the general guideline to “stand inside the main door looking outwards,”
5. I believe that if they were aware of today’s modern world, with high-rise apartments and different housing layouts, they would have expanded their explanations to clarify that the frontage is not always the same as the main door.
6. Are there any differences between hiring a Feng Shui Master from Taiwan or Malaysia compared to those from Hong Kong or Singapore?
6.1. From the 1970s onwards, most FSMs from Taiwan or Malaysia used the “Conservative” method, focusing on the main door.
6.2. The reason was simple: up to the 1990s, most homes in Taiwan and Malaysia were landed properties, so these FSMs were very accustomed to taking readings from the main door.
6.3. As a result, if you invited a Master from Taiwan or Malaysia to Singapore to assess an HDB flat, they would instinctively take readings from the main door.
6.4. Even today, some FSMs in Singapore and Hong Kong still follow this tradition. They feel confident in their approach, believing it aligns with the ancient practice of using the main door for readings.
6.5. These conservatives believe they have solid “proof” for their method and take comfort in following what they see as the “Bible” or holy grail of compass readings.
7. Most Modernist Feng Shui masters have emerged mainly from Hong Kong and Singapore.
7.1. Yes, you guessed it! Both countries have experienced rapid growth in high-rise buildings.
7.2. The logical, forward-thinking Modernist FSMs began to realize something important.
7.3. Sometimes, the passageway leading to the main door of certain apartments is dim and dark. Should I consider areas with the most yang qi—such as those with more light and openings—as the true frontage? What if the main door is usually kept closed? The main door is often a relatively small opening compared to the living room side, which may have larger windows along the same frontage.
8. These Modernist FSMs sensibly separate the concept of the main door from the frontage, unlike the Conservatives. The key is to determine the actual frontage, understanding that it is not always the main door.
9. Apologies for the lengthy digression. I will now address your main point.
10. Here, the main door is not treated as the same as the frontage. Modernists suggest using the side of the property that faces NE 2, or 46 degrees. I agree with this view, based on careful thinking and logic.
10.1. If someone still strongly prefers the main door, I don't wish to keep debating the point endlessly.
11. What is the key success factor in Flying Star Feng Shui?
11.1 If the correct frontage is identified, Flying Star Feng Shui can be applied effectively.
12. Other considerations:
12.1. How accurate is the compass readings?
12.1.1. The reading for NE1 at 35 degrees must be precise, because just one degree off will make the home face NE2 instead.
12.1.2. With NE2, there is a wider margin for error, so even if the readings are not perfect, there is more flexibility. However, it is still possible to get the readings wrong, just not as easily as with the narrow margin of 35 degrees.
12.2. Sha Qi or Poison Arrows and Castle Gate Theory
12.2.1 Castle Gate Theory (if got time can read up on this)
12.2.2. In general, a practical reason for tilting door has more to do with avoiding some kind of poison arrow(s).
12.2.3. For example, in America today, many homes still do not have fences or main gates. If the main door directly faces an obstacle, such as a lamp post, it is common for a Feng Shui Master to recommend tilting the door.
13. Overview of ancient times, when there were no high-rise buildings, compared to modern times, which have many high-rise homes
13.1 Please note that this write-up focuses on the Feng Shui of high-rise buildings.
13.2 Conservatives will be pleased to know that, especially in Singapore where landed properties are often back-to-back, standing inside the main door and looking out is generally considered the most logical method.
13.3 In these situations, both Conservative and Modernist Feng Shui practitioners tend to agree.
14. Case Study 1: "Flaws of taking reading from the main door: Same unit why is there so many possible different directions?"
14.1 As one is at the mercy of how the architect or planner joins the unit to the entire block"
14.2 Below: These four unit's living room all faces North. But if we apply the Conservative's method, it would mean that:
Unit 1 faces South;
Unit 2 faces SW;
Unit 3 faces East & lastly
Unit 4 faces West
14.3 Below: The Conservative's method depends on the mercy of the architect:-
14.4 Below: The Modernists will consider all four Units as facing North irregardless of the main door facing:-
15. Case Study 2: "Just imagine if the unit is at the ground floor much like a landed property home."
In this illustration, entry to the home is from the balcony side.
This example shows that the frontage of the home can be considered as the side facing the living room.
16. In conclusion, the main entrance door is not always considered the frontage in modern times.
16.1. The goal of finding the frontage is to identify the area with the most yang qi. For apartments, this is usually the larger open areas, such as the stretch of the living room that connects to most of the bedrooms.
16.2. The main door in an apartment is usually just a single door, and it is not kept open all the time.
17. For high-rise living, another way to understand the layout is by considering the "face" of the apartment, which is another term for the frontage of the home.
17.1. In high-rise buildings, the face of a unit is usually the side with the living room, similar to what we see in landed properties.
17.2. For example, in most landed homes, the main entrance door typically faces the gate, not the rear of the house where the kitchen is usually located.
17.3. In fact, in landed homes, the kitchen is almost always found at the back of the house.
17.4. Drawing a parallel with apartments, one might question why the main door should be considered the frontage, since it is only a single opening.
17.4.1 Additionally, the main door is not open all the time.
17.4.2 As the main door is a solid structure without windows, it does not let in any light; once closed, there is no Yang Qi flowing through it.
17.4.3 Instead, Yang Qi and natural light come from the side of the house with the living room windows.
18. Another userful concept to understand is that of Ming Tang or Bright Hall or simply based on the concept of "Clear space":-
18.1 For a home to attract good luck, there should be some open space in front of it. For apartments, this is usually the living room side.
18.2 The Ming Tang concept does not require a specific amount of clear space; having open space in front of the house is usually enough.
18.3 It is best if this space is open, flat, and has no obstacles or sharp corners pointing toward the unit, as these can block good energy.
19. Are you asking if a high-rise unit should face a pool or if you should put a water feature on the balcony?
19.1 Many people have heard that having water in front of the home brings good fortune. This is why it is ideal for high-rise units to face a swimming pool.
19.2 Facing a water position is important for this reason.
19.3 If a home faces a swimming pool or water position, it is generally seen as good.
19.4 Nothing can be built over a pool, so the unit will at least have an open space up to the other side of the pool.
19.5 Even if there is no real water, having clear space at the front of your home is also good. (Unless you are using Flying Star Feng Shui to check for special positions.)
19.6 This means that the unit has a good "Bright Hall" at its front and "virtual water." Virtual water means open space where birds can fly freely without anything blocking them.
19.7 Are you asking if you should not place a water feature?
19.7.1 Unless Flying Star Feng Shui shows that a water feature would be helpful, it is not always needed.
19.8 Remember, water features like pools, fountains, or fish tanks often have dirty water.
19.9 No one can buy a perfect water feature like a natural waterfall. Most pools or water features need constant cleaning, refill, and can get dirty or grow algae.
19.10 Natural waterfalls like Niagara Falls give off negative ions, which are good. These negative ions cannot be bought, except by using an air purifier at home.
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