The so-called Pungsu/風水 theories have been the traditional perspective of the Korean people in viewing and assessing geographical traits and characteristics. They played an important role in laying out the basics for selecting places for construct...
The so-called Pungsu/風水 theories have been the traditional perspective of the Korean people in viewing and assessing geographical traits and characteristics. They played an important role in laying out the basics for selecting places for constructing capital cities, villages, residences and graves, and also for designing the internal structure of those constructions. Mirroring the theories' influences, many areas of studies have accumulated numerous researches and surveys regarding either directly or indirectly these Pungsu theories and their philosophical importance.
Geomantic topography is an area of studies that address the issue of selecting a place for the living people, and also for the dead. The theories of geomantic topography were first documented and recorded in China, and there is an impressive amount of data regarding the Koreans' view upon this matter as well. But the theories of geomantic topography should be re-interpreted and re-described with modern languages based upon modern sentiments and modern knowledge, in order to be embraced by the people today. One of the most important areas to be dealt with is the theory regarding the posterior/anterior areas(背面) of specific geographical features.
The reason why studies targeting this particular geographical facet is so important is that because the concepts of posterior and anterior themselves serve as the general premise for all kinds of geomantic topographical studies. Geomantic topography is basically about finding spots('Hyeol/穴') where influences to a specific kind of fortune converge, and in order to find those spots, understanding of the posterior and anterior of any kind of geographical feature, should be acquired beforehand.
In this study, records of the concept of posterior and anterior found inside classical texts(古典) are examined, and contemporary theories suggested by persons today engaged in geomantic topographical studies and activities regarding the concept and examples of posterior/anterior features, are re-examined. As a result of such examination, it becomes quite apparent that reiterating the discussions regarding posterior/anterior theories in newer, and in more scientific frame of logic, is necessary. In this study, the geomantic topographical theory suggested by Hwang Yeong Wung/黃英雄, who is now regarded as the person who reestablished Pungsu studies in modern terms and methods, will be greatly consulted, and based upon his studies, this author will attempt to find a new definition of Posterior/Anterior(背/面) theory, and present it in this thesis.
First, in order to suggest a new kind of Posterior/Anterior theory, a classification of the many meanings that the concept of Yongmaek/龍脈 has, is attempted. Then, based upon this classification, the question of how the Posterior/Anterior theory could be applied to many concepts such as Yong/龍, Hyeol/穴, sand(砂) and water(水) is discussed in details.
In case of Yong, basically the place where the force(氣) comes in('入力') could be considered as the posterior side('背'), and where the force goes out('出力') could be considered as the anterior side('面'). But in cases of Yodo/橈棹 figures, the side which receives the force from the '反E源(anti-E-source)' could be considered as the posterior side, and the side where the '反E(anti-E)' forces are applied to could be considered as the anterior side.
In case of Hyeol, in Ibsu Dunwae/入首頭腦 figures(conditions), the side where forces go out is considered as the anterior, and the side where forces come in is considered to be the posterior. In case of Seonik/蟬翼 figures(conditions) the side where forces come out from Ibsu Dunwae position becomes the anterior, and where forces come in becomes the posterior. And in other cases, like Jeonsun/纏脣, Gwansa/官砂, Gwisa/鬼砂 and Yosa/曜砂 figures(conditions), the side attached to the Hyeoljang/穴場 is considered as the anterior, and the exterior of the Hyeoljang is considered as the posterior.
In case of sand, the Myeongdang/明堂 side becomes the anterior, and the exterior becomes the posterior. And in case of water, where the water flows out becomes the anterior, and where the water flows in becomes the posterior. In places where the streams show a shape of a ring, the inside becomes the anterior, and the outside becomes the posterior.
If we view these various posterior and anterior sides displayed by the Yongmaek features from a larger perspective, we can see that there is a much deeper meaning regarding the reality of the world hidden inside. The real life, the world in reality does have a tendency, a combined(and harmonized) will('會合意志') determined to return to the original nature of things('本性回向性'). And the Hyeol figures are the epitome of such determination and tendency. In the end we could say that, theories of geomantic topography, which deals with selecting places where the living ones and the dead ones could reside, are theories which collect those combined and harmonized wills determined to return to the original state, condition and nature of things, the wills that are in fact contained in the flow of water and the figures of the mountains. And the posterior/anterior theory that was examined in this thesis, must be the prime example distinctively showing such determined tendency to return to the origin of things. No doubt it is the most crucial knowledge that should be well established in achieving appropriate understanding of geomantic topography.