long mạch

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Geomantic vein; dragon vein: In traditional East Asian geomancy (phong thủy), this term refers to the invisible energy pathways or veins within the earth's terrain. The quality and flow of this energy are believed to influence the fortune, prosperity, and destiny of people, families, or dynasties associated with a particular location, such as a burial site or a dwelling.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Các thầy phong thủy tin rằng việc xây dựng đúng long mạch sẽ mang lại may mắn. (Feng shui masters believe that building on the correct geomantic vein will bring good luck.)
    • Truyền thuyết kể rằng ngôi đền được xây trên một long mạch hùng mạnh. (Legend says the temple was built upon a powerful dragon vein.)
    • Theo quan niệm xưa, nếu long mạch bị tổn hại thì vận mệnh sẽ suy giảm. (According to ancient belief, if the geomantic vein is damaged, one's destiny will decline.)
Advanced Usage
  • "trấn yểm long mạch": to suppress/seal a geomantic vein (often to harm the fortunes of a rival).
    • Câu chuyện về việc trấn yểm long mạch của triều đình đối thủ thường xuất hiện trong sử sách. (Stories about suppressing the geomantic vein of a rival dynasty often appear in historical records.)
  • "long mạch bị đứt/cắt": the geomantic vein is broken/severed.
    • Việc đào hồ nước được cho là đã làm long mạch bị đứt. (The digging of the lake is said to have severed the geomantic vein.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Địa mạch (n): Earth vein; terrestrial vein. A more general term for the energy lines of the land, often used similarly to "long mạch".
  • Phong thủy (n): Geomancy; feng shui. The overarching practice and study that involves analyzing "long mạch".
  • Huyệt (n): The "acupuncture point" or specific auspicious spot located on a "long mạch" where energy gathers, considered the ideal place for construction or burial.
Synonyms
  • Mạch đất: Earth vein (a more literal, less specialized term).
  • Thế đất: Configuration/formation of the land (emphasizes the topographical aspect that contains the "mạch").
Related Idioms
  • (Nơi) đất lành chim đậu: (Lit: A good land is where birds perch). A proverb referring to an auspicious, fertile, and prosperous place, conceptually related to the idea of a location with good "phong thủy" and positive "long mạch".
    • Công ty chọn vị trí này vì tin vào câu đất lành chim đậu. (The company chose this location because they believe in the proverb "a good land is where birds perch".)