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Korean Myths · 04

Baesan-imsu: the Perfect Korean Home, Mountain Behind and Water in Front

Baesan-imsu, the first rule of Korean pungsu (feng shui): a mountain at your back, water in front, and a house facing south.

The perfect Korean home: mountain behind, water in front.
The perfect Korean home: mountain behind, water in front.
Baesan-imsu
Baesan-imsuBae-san: a mountain at your back. Im-su: water in front. The first rule of Korean pungsu (feng shui).
Why the mountain?
Why the mountain?A mountain behind blocks the cold north wind in winter and gives firewood.
Why the water?
Why the water?A stream in front brings water for fields and cooking, and a wide open view.
Facing south
Facing southPut them together and the house faces south: warm sun in winter, cool breeze in summer.
Look around
Look aroundNext time you visit an old Korean village or palace, look behind it. There is almost always a mountain.

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