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A rare late Qing dynasty Chinese feng shui measuring stick, also known as a Luban ruler. Crafted from hardwood and …
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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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- Dimensions
- 14ʺW × 0.5ʺD × 0.5ʺH
- Styles
- Qing
- Period
- Late 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- China
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Metal
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Brown
- Condition Notes
- Very good antique condition with age-appropriate wear; select areas of patina carefully reduced to reveal characters. Very good antique condition with age-appropriate wear; select areas of patina carefully reduced to reveal characters. less
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