History Of The Lu Ban Ruler

Master Lu Ban was born in 507 B.C., in the State of Lu. He was a Chinese carpenter, engineer, philosopher, inventor, military thinker and statesman who lived during the Spring and Autumn Period of China. Lu Ban was deified as god, and is the patron saint of Chinese builders and contractors. According to folk legend, he was born with a huge flock of cranes spiraling above his home and special fragrance in his room. He was therefore conceived as a celestial being. His festival falls on the 13th of the sixth month of the Lunar Calendar. He was born into a family that had been practicing carpentry for generations. As a child, Lu Ban worked in a lot of building projects with the family. He was considered to be founder of various innovative tools used in the architecture, building and furniture making.  His craftwork has been seen for thousands of years throughout history and his techniques and tools were put to use by the builders and architects of many empires after his death. One such tool he developed, is a ruler, which some now call the Feng Shui Ruler. The great Ghengis Khan utilized the Lu Ban measurements, techniques and philosophies to help build his Mongolian empire.

On April 2 of each lunar calendar year, a festival is held to memorize and celebrate Master Lu Ban’s architectural achievements. It is a traditional festival celebrated by the Mongolians in the west of Tonghai County of Yunnan Province. It lasts just one day. The Mongolians in this region have learned the architectural techniques of the Master as past down through many  generations. The houses they have built are not only special and beautiful, but also durable, and are praised by the peoples from throughout the world.