Late Qing Chinese Feng Shui “Luban” Measuring Stick With Metal Inlay Characters

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Description

A rare late Qing dynasty Chinese feng shui measuring stick, also known as a Luban ruler. Crafted from hardwood and … Read more A rare late Qing dynasty Chinese feng shui measuring stick, also known as a Luban ruler. Crafted from hardwood and inlaid with tiny metal pins, the inscriptions mark auspicious intervals used in carpentry, architecture, and feng shui practice. Characters such as 金 (gold/wealth), 宅 (house), and 長安 (eternal peace) appear along the length, each corresponding to favorable measurements associated with prosperity, domestic harmony, and security.
Measuring 14 inches long and about ½ inch square, this is a finely made example, likely for a scholar, carpenter, or feng shui master. The precision of the dot-inlay work sets it apart from more common painted rulers. A rare survival of a traditional tool that bridges both craftsmanship and belief.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE:
Feng shui rulers, or “Luban rulers”, are divided into repeating sequences of auspicious and inauspicious intervals, each labeled with meanings such as wealth, sickness, separation, or harmony. Choosing a measurement that “fell” within a favorable segment was thought to influence fortune itself. This example, with its precise metal inlay, reflects not only the skill of its maker but also the belief that even a single inch could determine the destiny of a household.

Linear Translation of Inscriptions:
金 (jīn)
Translation: Gold, Metal, Wealth
Meaning: Associated with the Five Elements (Wu Xing). Symbol of prosperity, material fortune, and success.

宅 (zhái)
Translation: House, Dwelling
Meaning: Represents the home, domestic stability, and family harmony.

長安 (cháng’ān)
Translation: Eternal Peace or Chang’an (ancient capital city)
Meaning: Conveys the idea of lasting security, stability, and harmony in one’s household.

寶 (bǎo) — possibly 富 (fù) depending on stylization
Translation: Treasure, Precious, Abundance (寶) or Wealth, Riches (富)
Meaning: Both signify prosperity and accumulation of valuable things.

How It Works:
The inscriptions correspond to intervals on the Luban ruler, where each measurement “lands” on a symbolic zone. Builders, carpenters, and feng shui masters would align their projects so that key dimensions (like the height of a doorway or the length of a table) fell under auspicious characters such as Wealth or Peace. This ruler cycles between prosperity, household harmony, peace, and treasure, making it a powerful tool of both craft and belief.

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