Feng Shui (ePub)

Ernest Johann Eitel, a notable figure in the realm of Sinology, made significant contributions to the understanding of Chinese customs and philosophical praxes. His seminal work, 'Feng Shui; or, The Rudiments of Natural Science in China' (1873), casts a discerning eye on the traditional Chinese practice of Feng Shui, a complex body of knowledge that aims to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. Eitel's insights were drawn from his tenure in China as a missionary and educator during the mid-19th century, a period that allowed him extensive interaction with Chinese culture and its longstanding traditions. His writings offer a distinctive blend of scholarly investigation and firsthand observation, which is indicative of his broader literary style. This distinctive approach is marked by an attempt to reconcile Western analytical frameworks with Eastern thought, a task he approached with both respect for and critique of the subjects he studied. While 'Feng Shui' remains his most referenced text, Eitel's overall body of work reflects a broader commitment to the study of linguistics and exegetical research of Eastern scripts and teachings. His contributions extend beyond the realm of Feng Shui, encompassing a diversity of scholarly work that has informed Sinologists and those with an interest in the intersections between culture, place, and philosophy.