(293) Territorial disputes in global history

By Janet Shin

The Scottish independence referendum held on Sept. 18 resulted in the citizens of that country deciding not to separate from Britain. Yet the poll results also showed that a significant percentage of Scots voted “Yes,” meaning that the issue of independence will continue to be a contentious one within the United Kingdom.

In global history, quite a number of territorial disputes occurred among nations. Some still remain controversial with conflicting claims while others came to the conclusion to cede as stated in a treaty or by other means such as the bayonet.

Feng shui masters regard domains and the landscape within them, surrounding conditions, the flow of the roads and rivers, and even the height of it as hugely significant factors that determine people’s destiny. This applies not only to small details but also to the bigger picture. It includes continents or the whole world as well as individuals living within countries.

For example, Gangnam in Seoul is an area where qi is gathered. It is situated slightly lower than other districts, even though it frequently floods during the rainy season. It also retains positive energy from the surrounding hilly areas and the flow of the Han River. That’s why wealth is abundant for people and businesses in Gangnam.

Around the globe, certain regions imply vital parts of the zone and those who possess them can build a prosperous nation. Without mentioning the wealth and power of a nation, distinctive features of a location may influence certain propensities of the dwellers.

Alaska, the 49th state of the U.S, was a Russian colony until it was sold in 1867 for $7.2 million. On top of its abundant oil and natural gas resources, the economic value of the fishing industries and tourism were obviously far above the potential profits to be made, it was considered a grave mistake in global political history.

How much value does Alaska have from a feng shui perspective?

One feng shui theory is to explain fate caused by geographical features by compare the landscape with the animals found there. This is based on animism in a way. Animism ascribes all natural objects and phenomena with a spirit. The spirits were largely believed to exist within animals and plants and it became a way that people explained the world as well as a form of faith. It was applied to topography to form a great part of their traditional values toward environmental philosophy.

Referring to the world map, the whole continent of America is considered to be in the shape of a dragon. Alaska takes the part of the dragonhead, the most important part of its body. Whoever possesses this could become a leader on the continent or even the world. It definitely exceeds all the economic and political value itself.

If Russia had known this, they wouldn’t have sold the land.

Meanwhile, the shape of Asian continent is deemed to be a Chinese phoenix or Bonghwang in Korean, an imaginary bird that symbolizes the sacred son of Heaven in the East.

Whereas the head is the core of a dragon, eggs are crucial assets for the birds. Needless to say these determine the future of the continent. That’s why islands are a matter of interest among many Asian countries when they become concerned over the extent of their territories.

It is not surprising then that most of the acute tensions among major Asian countries are regarding claims of sovereignty for islands.

Korea and Japan continue to argue over the Liancourt Rocks, or Dokdo in Korean, which is unlikely to be settled by both parties any time soon. Hong Kong, on the other hand, which was once part of the British Empire, was handed over to China when a 99-year lease expired in 1997. This will yield consequential changes in international relations in the future.

Are you interested in learning more about the

ancient Chinese teaching about the “Four Pillars

of Destiny”? For further information, visit

Janet’s website at www.fourpillarskorea.com,

contact her at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@

hotmail.com. The writer is the author of

“Life’s Secrets.”