Chinese Feng Shui master “Huang Dao” revealed to Fuji Television Network that he had been involved in the construction of projects for the Beijing Olympics since 2003. Huang claims that he personally chose the location and color of the Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, and the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium.
According to his divination, the outside color for the Beijing Basketball Gymnasium was changed from silver to gold to facilitate the flow of qi.
This is not the first time the overseas media has reported on how Feng Shui was used in the Beijing Olympics. On June 30, 2005, when a Spanish reporter asked whether the Olympic construction project was based on Feng Shui principles, Jin Yan, director of Beijing 2008 Project Construction Headquarter Office, emphatically stated, “The Olympic venues are not constructed in line with Feng Shui.”
Jin said that they believed in science, rather than Feng Shui, adding that “All Olympic projects had meticulous geological exploration and a general survey of the layout.”
After Fuji Television Network interviewed master Huang Dao, they called Duan Xichen, vice deputy of China Architectural Culture Center. Duan insisted that this was merely a rumor, stating, “The Olympic constructions were meant to reflect the idea of protecting the environment.”
But this denial may well be a question of semantics, as Feng Shui masters aren’t labeled as such. Master Huang Dao explained that Feng Shui masters cannot call themselves Feng Shui masters. Instead the authorities insist that they be called “traditional artistic consultants.”
As China’s ancient customs were being dismantled during the Cultural Revolution, China’s Feng Shui traditions were also criticized and slandered. At that time, Feng Shui masters could no longer practice their ancient art to make a living. Although the authorities secretively consult these practitioners, they are unwilling to afford them any status.
Note: [1] Feng Shui (literally "wind water") is an ancient Chinese practice believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and earth (geography) to arrange objects, helping people live in harmony within their environment.
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