Five Elements of Orchard Road’s Buildings
Orchard Road got its name from the numerous plantations along the area, which now form part of the Central Business District. It is Singapore’s major shopping district, where most five-star hotels, shopping complexes, and offices are located, creating numerous business tycoons.
Every year, around seven million tourists visit Orchard Road. It is difficult to believe that this place was once a small kampong (a little village in Malay) forty years ago. In the past, it was scattered with large colonial-style bungalows, which cost approximately forty thousand dollars for a two-acre land with a mansion. Today, the price has appreciated significantly, exceeding ten million dollars. Those who had foresight in property investment have become extremely wealthy.
Feng Shui Analysis of Orchard Road
Water Flow and Energy in Xuan Kong Feng Shui
The inflow of water at Orchard Road is from TUI as Zhen Shen, and the outflow is from ZHEN in the direction of Yi Shan.
- 7th Age: TUI as Zhen Shen was at its peak, while ZHEN as Ling Shen was an unlucky direction.
- This follows the law of inflow and outflow of both lucky and unlucky water, coinciding with the bustling prosperity of Age 7.
Xuan Kong Gua Perspective
- Inflow of water: Gua Age 8
- Outflow of water: Gua Age 2
- The combination of 8 + 2 = 10 indicates prosperity during the Age of 8.
The centre of Orchard Road’s energy is located at the junction of Scotts Road and Orchard Road, making this stretch a focal point of Feng Shui influence.
Key Buildings and Their Feng Shui Elements
C K Tang (Mariott Hotel)
C K Tang Department Store stands out due to its octagonal shape, similar to a pagoda, and its green exterior, activating the energy of Chi Lu Wen Qu, which enhances fame.
- Element: Wood
- Sitting: Chia | Facing: Ken
- 6th Age: Inflow at Xu Flying Star 37, activating wealth (7 Star, future prosperous Chi).
- 7th Age: Changes in Flying Star resulted in financial losses due to the “Fountain on Top and Water Below” formation.
Wheelock Building
Built by Hong Kong financiers, the Wheelock Building was designed to resemble a harp, symbolising continuous progress.
- Element: Fire
- Sitting: Hai | Facing: Si
- 7th Age Formation: “Up mountain, Below water”
- Issue: Inflow of water at Ping Flying Star 31, outflow at Chou Flying Star 29 (not ideal).
This Feng Shui imbalance led to financial problems, and Lane Crawford Department Store had to reduce its operations from five floors to two before eventually ceasing business.
Shaw Centre
Shaw Centre is round in shape. Due to high-speed traffic on Scotts Road, water energy disperses rapidly, affecting financial luck.
- Element: Metal
- Sitting: Ren | Facing: Ping
- 7th Age Formation: Circular basement and concave top stabilise Chi
- Impact: The building remains financially stable, and its cinema is constantly crowded.
To counteract the Fire Element of Wheelock Building, metallic clocks were installed on both sides of Shaw Centre, symbolically suppressing Fire (Wheelock) and controlling C K Tang (Wood).
Wisma Atria
Wisma Atria’s light blue façade represents the Water Element, influencing its energy flow.
- Element: Water
- Sitting: Wei | Facing: Chou
- 7th Age Formation:
- Inflow of water at Qian Flying Star 32 – Indicates quarrels
- Outflow of water at Zhen Flying Star 68 – Predicts loss of wealth
This explains why Wisma Atria is always crowded but not highly profitable.
Ngee Ann City
Ngee Ann City, completed in 1993, has a castle-like structure, symbolising stability and prosperity.
- Element: Fire/Earth
- Sitting: Kun | Facing: Ken
- Formation: Two square blocks and a large shopping area enhance stability.
- Fountain at the front enhances wealth Chi.
The underground pedestrian link to MRT stations activates the flow of prosperity, evidenced by a Japanese department store meeting its annual target within just eight months.
Destruction Cycle of Orchard Road Buildings
According to the Five Elements cycle, the sequence of these buildings follows a destructive pattern, which explains the negative retail business growth in Orchard Road since 1993:
- C K Tang - Wood
- Shaw Centre - Metal (Metal destroys Wood)
- Wheelock Building - Fire (Fire melts Metal)
- Wisma Atria - Water (Water extinguishes Fire)
- Ngee Ann City - Fire/Earth (Earth absorbs Water)
This Xuan Kong Feng Shui phenomenon highlights the importance of elemental balance in urban planning. The misalignment of these elements has led to stagnation in Orchard Road’s retail sector.
Summary of Building Elements:
- C K Tang: Pagoda-shaped, green (Wood)
- Shaw Centre: Round, metallic white (Metal)
- Wheelock Building: Sharp, curtain wall (Fire)
- Wisma Atria: Wave-like, light blue (Water)
- Ngee Ann City: Castle-like, reddish (Fire/Earth)
This comprehensive Feng Shui analysis reveals how architectural shapes, colours, and energy flow impact prosperity in Orchard Road.