Social vs Ceremonial Basics
United States
China
Greece
Italy or Japan
100

These home spaces are casual, encourage interaction, and are used daily.

What are social areas?

100

This room is considered the center of connection in many American homes.

What is the family room or great room?

100

In Feng Shui, this part of the home is treated as a ceremonial boundary.  

What is the entryway?

100

This outdoor space extends the living room and serves as the center of domestic life.  

What is the courtyard?

100

Italian homes emphasize hospitality, food, and fluid daily interaction in this type of space.  

What are social areas?

200
These spaces are more formal and are used for special occasions or rituals.

What are ceremonial areas?

200

This space becomes the “true ceremonial place” during meal preparation.

What is the kitchen?

200

This household feature honors ancestors and is arranged according to Feng Shui principles.  

What is the ancestral altar?

200

This room is used for receiving guests and hosting formal social gatherings.  

What is the salon?

200

This wooden veranda connects the home to the garden and encourages relaxation.

What is the engawa?

300

This transition zone between outdoors and indoors is especially important in ceremonial design.

What is the formal entry?

300

Thanksgiving dinner is most commonly held in this ceremonial space.  

What is the formal dining room?

300

During Lunar New Year, these decorations are placed strategically to activate prosperity.  

What are red decorations?

300

This small ceremonial area contains icons and is used for prayer.  

What is the icon corner?

300

Contemporary Italian homes often combine kitchen, dining, and living areas into this layout.  

What is open-plan living?

400

These areas differ in how they handle privacy—one protects it, the other dissolves it through constant interaction. Which type protects privacy?

Ceremonial areas.

400

Many U.S. homes include a quiet corner with photos, candles, or natural elements for this purpose.  

What is mindfulness, meditation, or cultural reflection?

400

400 – The host sits in this position to face the door and maintain control of the space.

What is the command position?

400

This ancient Greek room was used for male drinking parties and symposia.  

Answer: What is the andron?

400

This ceremonial room is designed specifically for preparing and serving tea.  

What is the tea room?

500

These areas include activity-oriented spaces like a media center or fireplace.

What do informal social areas have?

500

Graduation parties, weddings, and barbecues often take place in this outdoor ceremonial area.

What is the backyard patio?

500

Sharp angles pointing at guests are avoided because Feng Shui calls them this.  

What are poison arrows?

500

Greek home organization is strongly influenced by climate, social customs, and this religion.

What is Orthodox Christianity?

500

This space creates a formal first impression and communicates heritage and hospitality.

What is the entrance hall?