An ancient Chinese proverb highlights the 5 quintessential factors that determine one’s success in life, and the proverb goes like this:

一命，二运，三风水

When translated the 5 factors in descending order is, your destiny, your luck, the art of Geomancy, good karma accumulated from acts of charity and your academic diligence. While the first 2 factors are predetermined from birth and cannot be altered, the other 3 can be enhanced through our own individual efforts.

From this proverb, it is apparent that the ancient wise men held high regards for the art of Geomancy, even placing it above the act of charity and studying. According to them, performing acts of charity and being industrious seemed less effective in improving one’s destiny and fortune, than knowing how to apply the art of Geomancy in our everyday life.