Luo Pan – the feng shui compass and the 24 mountains
Published on October 22, 2026
The Luo Pan is the feng shui consultant's most important tool: a compass with many concentric rings. Each ring assigns the directions to a different system – trigrams, stars, characters. Its heart is the ring of the 24 mountains, which divides the circle into sections of 15 degrees.
The 24 mountains
The eight directions are each divided into three mountains, for example north into Ren, Zi and Gui (N1, N2, N3). The mountains bear the names of heavenly stems, earthly branches and trigrams. In the flying star chart they decide whether the stars fly forwards or backwards.
The rings
Besides the 24 mountains there are rings for the eight trigrams, the heaven and human plates, the 60 dragons, the 72 dragons and the 120 divisions. Professionals use them to read fine differences within a mountain – for most uses mountains and trigrams are enough.
Measuring digitally
A smartphone or tablet compass shows the direction to within one or two degrees if it is calibrated and no metal nearby interferes. The online compass shows all important rings; the map tools additionally allow measuring on the satellite image.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a real Luo Pan?+
Not to get started. A good device compass or map measurement is enough for Ba Zhai and flying stars.
Magnetic or true north?+
Traditionally you measure magnetically. In central Europe the difference is only a few degrees.
What is a border between two mountains?+
If the reading is very close to a border, the energy is unclear. Then you measure several times or use replacement stars (Ti Gua).