A grave site or burial spot is called a “Yin House.” This is compared to residences or commercial spaces which are referred to as “Yang Houses.” Care is taken in selecting a Yin House because the influence of that burial spot can affect up to three generations of descendants. The good or bad Feng Shui of the burial spot can affect the children or grandchildren of the deceased.

Determining whether or not a grave site has good or bad energy is based on a variety of Feng Shui principles and observations. The total environment is taken into consideration, which includes land levels, nearby mountains or elevations, the amount of sun or shade cast on the grave site, nearby water sources, condition of the immediate landscaping and other influences including proximity to streets, traffic or other environmental features, including modern structures like electrical towers.

Calculations are also performed to determine the good or bad energy of the spot based on when the deceased will be or has been placed at the location and the directional orientation of the grave site, particularly the marker or tombstone. For example, a grave facing west will have a different influence than one which faces east. Or a mountain to the North of a grave site will have a different influence than one to the south.

Some principles of good Yin House (Yin Zhai) are the same as for good Yang House (Yang Zhai). But some principles would be the exact opposite. In other words, good features for a home or business are not necessarily good for a grave site, and vice versa. Like any other professional service, it makes sense to interview the Yin House specialist to make sure they have had adequate training to help you choose a plot for yourself or loved one.

Crypts or mausoleums can also be evaluated, but they do not have the intensity of influence as an in-ground burial. Likewise, ashes that are interred in ground or in a columbarium do not have as much influence as a full body laid to rest in a traditional burial.

The theory is that the full set of bones, with its intact DNA, will be a transmitter of energy to the descendants. Ashes that are buried, interred or scattered will not have much influence, but similar practices of choosing a place to put ashes can be performed.

The influence of a Yin House can affect the descendants’ health, relationships, and careers. It often answers or gives additional insight into what is happening in a person’s life that is not revealed by the person’s Feng Shui at home or work.

Yin House, as a practice and divination art unto itself, is a testimony to how much we are linked on a spiritual level to our ancestors, as well as to this physical planet and the influence of our surroundings, even in death. Sometimes there is urgency in choosing a grave site, when there is a sudden death and no prior plans. Other times, particularly in Chinese culture, plots may be chosen decades in advance. The tricky part is that some of the decisions made to choose one plot over another are reliant on the most likely time frame a person will pass. Some of the calculations relate to the 20-Year–Eras that we work with for Yang House Feng Shui.

For example, Period 8 is from 2004-2024. Period 9 is from 2024-2044. Some people reading this may feel that it is likely they will pass during Period 9, but not really know this far in advance. Period 1 will be from 2044-2064. In other words, if you select a grave site based on certain criteria for Period 9, but are alive into Period 1, then some of your plans may need to be changed.

Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions ®
From the Philosophical and Metaphysical Musings Blog Series