Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan — Home Feng Shui: Case 71 Staircase in the Center of the Home

Hong Kong Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan's home feng shui insights point out that the geometric center of a residence is known in feng shui as the “Central Palace” or “Tai Chi Position.” Much like the human heart, it is the core hub of the entire house's qi field. As stated in 'The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Dwellings,' 'The Central Palace is the heart of the dwelling; when still, qi gathers; when disturbed, qi disperses.' The Central Palace should ideally be quiet, empty, and clean, and is most sensitive to frequent disturbances. If a staircase is located precisely in the center of a residence, the daily movement of people ascending and descending will continuously agitate the core qi field, creating a 'dynamic qi piercing the heart' formation, also known as 'piercing heart sha.' The vertical airflow of the staircase directly cuts through the qi-gathering structure of the Central Palace, causing the entire house's qi field to scatter and fail to coalesce. This has historically been considered a major taboo in residential feng shui, with an ancient saying: 'Staircase in the center, family wealth scatters.' From a modern living perspective, a central staircase can fragment spatial flow, leading to cramped and dim functional areas, and noise permeating the entire house, severely impacting living comfort. (Analysis from Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan's home feng shui column.)

Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan notes the main impacts include: Family Fortune Aspect — Family fortunes become volatile and unpredictable, experiencing significant ups and downs, lacking a stable foundation. Endeavors easily encounter setbacks and struggle to maintain positive momentum. Wealth Aspect — Wealth qi disperses with the staircase's airflow, making it difficult to accumulate. Money comes in one hand and goes out the other, making saving challenging, and prone to financial loss and asset depletion, according to Andrew Chan Feng Shui principles. Family Relationships — With a turbulent core qi field, family members tend to have significant disagreements, increasing arguments, lacking a central figure, and weakening family cohesion. Health Aspect — Disordered qi fields can easily affect the mental state of family members, leading to irritability, poor sleep, and a decline in overall health.

When purchasing a home, prioritize avoiding layouts with a central staircase. This is the most secure way to eliminate the problem of a disturbed Central Palace from the root. This is a key recommendation from Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan. (One of Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan's common home feng shui remedies.)

Place tall, evergreen broad-leaved plants around the staircase, or position crystal balls or 'Mount Tai stones' (泰山石). Use earth and wood elements to stabilize the qi field, using stillness to counteract movement, and buffer the impact of the staircase's dynamic qi. Alternatively, the space beneath the staircase can be converted into a closed storage cabinet, using a solid structure to mitigate the sense of emptiness. (One of Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan's common home feng shui remedies.)

It is crucial to keep the staircase area clean and bright. Install ample lighting to avoid darkness and dampness. Reduce clutter to allow qi flow to be as smooth and orderly as possible, minimizing the negative impact of dynamic qi. This is a practical tip for residential feng shui. (One of Feng Shui Master Andrew Chan's common home feng shui remedies.)

Every home's layout, orientation and residents' Bazi differ, so generic remedies can only be a reference. Call or WhatsApp +852 5530 3000 (Assistant Ms. Chiu will answer your call) or add WeChat chanfachai to book an on-site audit with Master Chan. Address: Room 2103, 21/F, Prosper Commercial Building, 9 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong.