Feng Shui Disharmony

Even in China, Feng Shui Disharmony - Los Angeles Times:

Much of what Overseas Chinese consider "Chinese-ness" was eradicated in China over the past 50 years. Sometimes they are surprised when they travel back to China to find that mainland people think and act differently than overseas Chinese, who have retained more of their cultural roots, including Daoist and Buddhist practices.

However, a lot of these practices are sneaking back in, in China. What was labeled "superstitious" and considered foolish and backwards by the government and more educated people in Chinese cities is now creeping back into everyday life.

This is a sign that government control is loosening over cultural life and beliefs in China (whether actively or passively), and a sign that old beliefs die hard. They may be dormant, but it's hard to eradicate worldview. You may outlaw practices, but the underlying beliefs are harder to get rid of.

"Mao Tse-tung denounced feng shui for its propensity for fraud. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and '70s, it was derided as a legacy of China's feudal society. Practitioners often were persecuted. To this day, feng shui masters cannot get business licenses or legally advertise their services in China. People here understand that the practice falls in the category of superstitious activity, which is illegal."