In the traditional society of Taiwan, “Feng-shui” was not only a set of the folklore phenomenon, but also a set of the mode of thought and the system of interpretation. The main purpose of this thesis is to explore the Tainanese Chin shih Shih Chiung-Fang and his son Shih shih-ji’s ideas and practices of Feng-shui in Ch’ing Period, analyzing their value judgements toward this geomancy culture. Furthermore, it also allows us to ponder that there exists a complex relation of divergence and convergence between the traditional gentry and Feng-shui culture. In this research, we can understand that Shih Chiung-Fang and Shih shihji accepted the construction of knowledge concerning the Dragon veins of Taiwan from the early Ch’ing period, and they scarcely criticized the Feng-shui of human habitation. On the Contrary, they often opposed the ways by which the gentry adopted the practices of Feng-shui without obeying the rituals of Confucianism. In the same manner, they despised the Feng-shui specials those who confused the gentry and the ordinary people for their own benefits. Moreover, they also refuted the belief of Feng-shui which could enhance good fortune and keep away bad fortune. To sum up, Shih Chiung-Fang and Shih shih-ji’s value judgements toward the Feng-shui culture were often changed along with the different objects or the private needs and external situation, so as to their attitudes ultimately tended to be a set of the alternative Cognition.

feng-shui, geomancy, confucianism, gentry, cultural history