The development has formations favourable for people in leadership positions, as it suggests an easier time building consensus and earning the confidence of stakeholders. (Photo: Rex Chong/Kamisoul, Paparexx)
While many homebuyers focus on factors such as family well-being or their children's education, some place equal importance on leadership, influence and long-term success in their professional lives.
That was the case for a client searching for a home in the $5 million to $7 million range. As the head of a major listed company, he wanted a residence that, from a feng shui perspective, could reinforce authority, strengthen credibility and help him navigate the competing demands of shareholders, management teams and business partners.
After reviewing numerous developments, one project stood out. Based on its site plan (refer to graphic), the condo exhibits an uncommon combination of features associated with authority, stability and wealth accumulation.
The configuration of this development is relatively rare and powerful. It appears to be a mix of three auspicious symbols: the tai shi yi, or grand preceptor's chair, for support and high status; the guan yin, or official seal, for authority; and the ju bao pen, or treasure basin, for wealth retention and loyalty.
Put simply, the formation brings to mind someone sitting in the Grand Preceptor's chair while controlling the golden seal and embracing the treasure basin.
Unlike many urban sites with irregular boundaries, this project occupies a largely rectangular plot with a clear and orderly arrangement of buildings.
Viewed from above, there is a residential block, at the bottom of the site plan, that protrudes slightly from the rest of the development. It resembles the guan yin or official seal held by high-ranking officials in ancient China.
Typically made of stone, these traditional engraved seals were used to stamp important paperwork with red ink to show authenticity and authority.
The 'guan yin' or official seal is an exquisitely carved stamp to show authenticity and authority. (Image: Shutterstock)
In feng shui, a rectangular or squarish building that resembles a seal represents legitimacy, authority, decision-making power and the ability to earn respect and trust.
Read also: Feng shui analysis: What a phoenix layout and jade belt waterway mean for homebuyers
For this reason, developments with such formations are often regarded as favourable for people in leadership positions, where credibility and persuasive influence are important.
For business leaders, it typically indicates an easier time building consensus, managing disagreements and earning the confidence of colleagues, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders.
To be clear, the symbolism does not suggest that a property will automatically confer authority. Rather, practitioners believe that such forms can reinforce those qualities, helping the residents project confidence, trustworthiness and decisiveness.
Furthermore, besides resembling an official seal, this residential block at the southern edge of the site may also function like an an tai or hidden platform.
This tends to be a subtle platform or structure in front of a main building, and is believed to help contain and stabilise qi or energy to make sure it does not flow straight through the property.
The aim is to prevent authority, reputation or wealth from drifting away and dissipating too quickly, which can happen if the layout is too open or exposed.
Read also: Shape, site and self: How feng shui veteran Rex Chong reads properties
A traditional Chinese stone stamp or seal. Residential developments with formations resembling this are regarded as favourable for people in leadership positions. (Image: 4045/Magnific)
The arrangement of the buildings within the condo development adds the next dimension to the site’s interpretation.
The residential blocks encircle the residents, with a solid backing at the rear as well as balanced, protective energy from the left and right, implying good fortune on both sides.
This evokes the tai shi yi, which refers to the chair of the grand preceptor. Sometimes also referred to as the grand master or grand steward, the title was conferred on one of the seniormost ministers in ancient China.
The chair named after this role is a traditional Chinese armchair made from heavy, premium hardwoods like rosewood, and usually has a straight backrest, sturdy armrests and a wide seat. Such chairs have come to represent support, stability and guidance in feng shui.
A traditional armchair, dubbed 'tai shi yi' or grand preceptor's chair, with mother-of-pearl inlay, in a museum in Shenyang, China. Such chairs represent support, stability and guidance in feng shui. (Image: Shutterstock)
The analogy is rather straightforward: Instead of standing exposed and alone, you are figuratively seated securely in a protected position with reliable support behind and on both sides.
For business owners and senior executives, this is often interpreted as the presence of capable colleagues, trusted advisers or supporters with influence and goodwill, who will not hesitate to assist you and contribute to the team or company’s long-term success.
Around the development, three roads frame the site from different directions. They act like three streams of xu shui or ‘virtual water’, flowing inwards from the outside.
At the same time, the centre of the condo features a lap pool and wellness pool, along with a lush courtyard. That is akin to the bottom of a basin, serving as a catchment for wealth energy.
These characteristics come together to create a ju bao pen formation of a treasure basin, also known as a gold-gathering basin, that is collecting water.
The arrangement suggests opportunities and prosperity flowing into the development and accumulating rather than dispersing. It implies that occupants can look forward to their wealth building up steadily, without having to constantly chase good fortune or worry about losing it.
For entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders, this symbolism is often associated with preserving gains, building resources gradually and maintaining financial momentum over time. It also indicates resources and loyalty that stay — people who join your side will tend to remain there.
Connecting these elements is the development's L-shaped pool. Its shape is similar to a jade belt, which is a well-known feng shui formation where water or a road curves around the middle of a property, like a belt around a person’s waist.
A curved water feature that appears to wrap around a structure is regarded as auspicious.
The site layout suggests opportunities and prosperity flowing into the development and accumulating. (Image has been simplified from the original using generative AI.) (Image: Rex Chong/Kamisoul, Paparexx)
Here, the pool visually links the official seal element (the slightly protruding block at the bottom of the site) and the wider grand preceptor's chair configuration (the surrounding buildings that provide support) into a unified whole.
This could mean that the resident's authority and wealth will become interconnected — actively feeding into and strengthening each other in a mutually reinforcing relationship — instead of functioning in isolation.
Reputation and credibility can create opportunities, attract resources and open doors to prosperity, while financial success can in turn improve one’s standing and influence.
For feng shui-minded homebuyers, the configuration of this development may resonate with a fairly specific group.
Business owners, startup founders and senior executives could be drawn to the elements that emphasise authority, credibility, dependable support, and the ability to accumulate and retain resources over time.
Priorities for these buyers will usually include more than immediate financial gains, to encompass questions of leadership, succession and long-term stewardship as well.
That said, the appeal of the project is not limited to those in leadership positions. The same qualities of stability, continuity and support can also be beneficial for families thinking about intergenerational wealth and nurturing a lasting foundation or legacy for future generations.
Importantly, even when a development displays favourable characteristics overall, not every stack or unit will necessarily express these qualities to the same degree. While the site establishes the general potential of a location, the individual buildings and units determine how that potential is received and experienced.
Factors such as a unit’s orientation, floor level and relationship to surrounding features can influence the way energy flows through a home. These should then be considered alongside the occupant's ba zi or birth chart to assess whether the property’s strengths aligns with the individual's circumstances and aspirations.
Rex Chong is a feng shui practitioner and founder of Chinese metaphysics consultancies, Kamisoul and Paparexx.