Magic Landscaping

Geomancy, which inspired the layouts of Rome and Byzantium, is a quasi-science related to astrology and alchemy, a medieval process of transforming something common into something precious. Geomancy is characteristic of the Asian world deeply impregnated by metaphysical beliefs.

Most Vietnamese believe that by the appropriate transformation of a landscape, either the digging of an artificial waterway or the building of an earth mound, one can capture the hidden strength of nature. Some Vietnamese military men conceive strategy as a science related to astrology and geomancy. A general, for example, should never build his camp on a malefic site nor engage in battle on an unfavorable day. Geomancy has certain negative aspects: One should not trouble the world's order nor the harmony of nature with a house too high, a straight road cutting across the dragon's vein, the drying of a natural pond, the cutting of old trees bringing beauty to a landscape.

Conversely, geomancy also has its positive aspects: Man can conjure evil influences by the construction of a canal or the building of a monument at the critical place of a region. Central Vietnam, for example, contains many sites regarded as propitious by geomancers, a fact perhaps explaining why so many Vietnamese leaders-from Ngo Dinh Diem to Ho Chi Minh-came from that region.

The duties of a geomancer are:

1. To find the chosen site corresponding to the stars and the constellations governing the world, and then to select the most propitious location. Earth is regarded as the reflection of sacred animals: the phoenix, tortoise, and dragon, who live in Heaven.
2. To use the geomantic compass which is very different from a marine compass. The geomantic compass gives the direction of the two main "winds": The beneficent Blue Dragon wind (thanh long) and the White Tiger (bac ho), or pernicious wind. The closer one gets to the mouth of the Dragon, the more favorable the site. But it is absolutely necessary to ascertain that the Blue Dragon current flows on the left and that the White Tiger current flows on the right of the privileged site. Only the man of virtue can usefully use geomancy as he is guided by the forces of Heaven.

In ancient Vietnam, an emperor could order the removal of tombs located in auspicious sites, fearing they would give magical strength to the descendants of the buried persons to challenge his own power. These graves were commonly regarded as "the dangerous tombs" by the emperor's courtiers looking after the kingdom. Desecration of their parents' graves was a common punishment for rebels and usurpers of the throne.