The most basic part of feng shui is the ba gua (pronounced bah gwah), which means 'eight sides.'

The ba gua looks like a square or rectangle with a tic-tac-toe symbol through it.  Each square in the ba gua represents:

1. a direction (north, south, east, west, NW, SW, SE and NE)
    
2. an area of life
    
3. a specific element in nature (fire, water, wood, metal or earth)

Here is an example of a ba gua used in Compass feng shui: 

The reason we use directions in feng shui is that the word 'feng' means wind and represents direction.  Without the directions there is no wind or movement. 

The word 'shui' means water and represents abundance in all areas of life, not just financial. 

Once you know how to activate each area of the ba gua you can begin to stimulate a positive flow of energy in your home and office.

Chriss Barr, Feng Shui & Dowsing Expert