medicine systems include bleeding the patient, either directly or through the use of
leeches, an approach common in many folk medicine systems; the use of com-
presses containing herbs or other substances to heal wounds or broken bones; or
the application of pressure to certain parts of the body to relieve pain. The best
known example of the latter is acupuncture, a traditional form of medical treat-
ment derived in China centuries ago that now is used globally by thousands of
practitioners. Geophagy, or the eating of earth, is also a form of folk medicine that
is a custom found in several widely dispersed parts of the world. Those who
engage in geophagy believe that the practice will result in improved health, and
it may be done out of religious motivation as well.
Folk culture may be connected to the environment in ways that go beyond the
use of folk medicine. In some sections of the United Statesdowsingorwater
witchingis a common practice. This activity requires an experienced individual
who uses a specially prepared stick, often in the form of a wishbone, to identify
where an underground source of water may be found and accessed. Dowsers, or
those who claim skill in this practice, are still in demand in some arid western
states, where land may be uninhabitable without a functioning well or other water
supply. In Chinese folk culture, geomancy, orfeng shui, a complex system that
takes into account local topography along with astrological features and other fac-
tors, is used to situate structures on the landscape. Feng shui has been a part of
Chinese folk culture for many centuries and is deeply incorporated into social
belief and behavior. Many residents of China and Hong Kong consult a specialist
in this art before starting construction on a new home or building, and some
Folk Culture 127Geomancy
For centuries, the Chinese have believed that mythological forces are present in theland-
scape, or in other spaces occupied by humans. It is vital that these forces, often taking the
form of beasts, be placated when any changes are made to the local geography, including con-
structing a new building, or even arranging the furniture in one’s home. In Mandarin, the art of
determining the location of these influences, and how to best appease them, is called feng
shui. Many residents of China take this part of their folk culture quite seriously, and will hire
a master of feng shui to evaluate the natural forces in their surroundings before making any
significant changes. A feng shui master might be called in to advise someone on the best loca-
tion for a new home, for example, or on the proper design for the structure. In some cases,
an individual or family that is experiencing what appears to be unusual misfortune will consult
an expert on feng shui to determine if by chance they have offended or disturbed the forces
connected to their property. In traditional Chinese culture, the proper orientation and
arrangement of one’s living space is vital to success and harmony with nature.