Analysis of Feng Shui Elements in the Movie Nezha

As an animated work based on Chinese mythology, the movie “Nezha: The Devil Child Comes into the World” (2019) incorporates many traditional cultural elements, but the “feng shui” elements in the strict sense are not prominent in the film.

However, there are indeed some visual designs related to traditional culture and Taoist symbols in the film, which may be associated or interpreted by the audience as feng shui images. The following are some details or sources of inspiration related to feng shui:

1. The layout and environment of Chentangguan

• Chentangguan in the film is designed as a typical ancient city, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with a dangerous terrain. This layout implicitly conforms to the concept of “back to the mountain and facing the water” and “hiding the wind and gathering the qi” in feng shui. The defensive structure of the city (such as the mountain gate and the city wall) may also refer to the consideration of the ancient feng shui for the site selection of the town.

• The design of Li Jing’s mansion (such as the courtyard and the building structure) may imply the direction and spatial order in traditional feng shui, but the film does not clearly expand on it.

2. Taoist symbols and formations

• Tai Chi Bagua: Tai Chi Bagua patterns frequently appear in the magic and instruments used by Taiyi Zhenren (such as the Shanhe Shejitu). Bagua is often used in Feng Shui to calculate directions and to suppress evil and avoid disasters, but in the movie, these symbols are more used to express Taoist magic rather than direct Feng Shui applications.

• Talismans and seals: The rune design of the Qiankun Circle and Tianjie Curse on Nezha, as well as the talismans used by Taiyi Zhenren and Shen Gongbao, may have borrowed from Taoist talisman culture, and talismans are also used to exorcise evil spirits in traditional Feng Shui.

3. Heaven and Earth Spirits and Natural Elements

• The setting of “Spirit Pearl” and “Magic Pill” in the film implies the idea of ​​yin and yang balance, which is consistent with the core concept of “yin and yang harmony” in Feng Shui.

• The fantasy in the Shanhe Shejitu shows natural landscapes such as mountains, waters, clouds, and strange rocks. These elements are often regarded as carriers of “qi” in Feng Shui, but the film is more inclined to mythological fantasy rather than actual Feng Shui layout.

4. Folk beliefs and elements of suppressing evil spirits

• The people’s fear of Nezha’s identity as a “demon boy” and the plot of trying to suppress him with peach wood and talismans reflect the taboo of “evil spirit” in folk Feng Shui and exorcism culture.
• The ancestral hall built by Li Jing and his wife for Nezha (later destroyed by the people) may imply the concept of ancestral blessing in traditional clan Feng Shui, but the film did not explore it in depth.

5. Traditional aesthetics in visual design

The art style of the film uses a lot of traditional elements such as ink landscape, classical architecture, and auspicious cloud patterns. Although these are not strict Feng Shui symbols, the overall atmosphere creates an oriental classical artistic conception that is the same as Feng Shui culture.

Summary

The “feng shui elements” in “Nezha: The Devil Child Comes into the World” are more of a broad borrowing of Chinese traditional cultural symbols rather than a rigorous presentation of feng shui. The core of the film is still mythological narrative, with Taoist magic, folk beliefs and visual aesthetics occupying a dominant position.

If the audience is interested in feng shui, they can further explore its connection with the real feng shui culture by combining the details of the eight trigrams, spells, natural landscapes, etc. in the film, but they should pay attention to the difference between artistic creation and traditional cultural practice.