Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy of spirituality and practice meant to result in greater harmony and balance within an environment, and the individual.  Although comprising heavily Asian beliefs, Feng Shui has gained popularity in many Western countries, and has for years continuously increased its number of followers and students.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF FENG SHUI

Everything around us, whether living or non- living, moves. 

This is an Eastern belief to which the philosophy of Feng Shui adheres. 

In Feng Shui, everything that exists has the ability of movement because of “invisible energies” – mostly because of molecular movement.   As taught by science, the molecules of matter vibrate and are always in constant motion.  This constant movement, according to Feng Shui, is evidence of an existing energy undetected and invisible.   Nevertheless, Feng Shui teaches, this energy could tremendously influence daily life. 

To keep Chi in harmony with our own world, it has to be in consonance with the five elements of Feng Shui.  Maintaining this congruence is said to further boost creativity and the desire to succeed.   However, the Chi must be able to freely move in any given situation or place. 

Below are the five elements of Feng Shui:

  • Wood

    • This element signifies growth and vitality.  It is said to have the ability to induce creativity and passion. It takes the shape of a rectangle, and is represented by the colors green, blue, aqua teal and dark brown. 

    Material representations include cardboard, plants, and other wood products.  

  • Metal

    • This element is said to be a good conductor and transmitter of energy.  It gathers energy through an inward motion, and is seen as an element of health.  It usually comes in an arch or rounded shape, and is generally represented by the colors gold, silver, and bronze.

    Material representations are usually metal objects, swords, and coins.  Photos of metal objects are also acceptable.

  • Fire

    • This element is the most powerful of all Feng Shui components    Fire connotes passion, intelligence, motivation, and action.  It induces energy and activity, thereby making working areas the ideal places for the element’s presence. Fire is represented by the triangle, and has the colors of red, orange, burgundy and deep pink.  

    Examples of object representations include stoves, candles, red and/or triangular patterns, light, and sun.

  •  Earth

    • This element indicates stability and permanence.  Earth is seen as subtle and unchanging, and promotes reliability and confidence.  While it is a valuable element for bringing spiritual strength, an excess of it may induce stagnation and suspiciousness.  Earth is represented by the square, and the colors of yellow, terra cotta, beige and light brown.

    Material representations of earth include crystals, rocks, porcelain, and pictures of landscapes.

  • Water

    • Lastly, water signifies and enhances wealth, prosperity, career development, and emotional sensitivity.  An excess of this, however, may promote depression, stagnation and leniency.  Ideal areas for this element include working rooms, and places for relaxation.  Water is represented by wavy lines and smooth curves, and the colors black, charcoal, dark blue, and gray.

    Material representations of water include mirrors, glass, fountains, photos of fish and water landscapes, fish ponds, and swimming pools.

Balance of the elements must be observed in order to achieve positive results.  For instance, if you are lacking in the element of wood, or if it is the only element present in the room, it can lead to a harmful imbalance due to a sluggish movement of Chi, which is theoretically of moderate speed. 

FENG SHUI AT HOME

In decorating the home, two interacting factors must be synthesized:  Feng Shui and Sacred Geometry, which gives attention to shapes, proportions, and ratios – all used in the practice of structural design.

Feng Shui and Sacred Geometry are believed to greatly influence the flow of harmony, fortune, and health through the manipulation of the physical placement of furniture, walls, and other home fixtures.  Altogether, they possess linked energies that can foster harmony in a given house or environment.    Therefore, the dynamic forces of these objects must be carefully given utmost attention.

Some basic rules for good Feng Shui are:

  1. Have a clear sight of the door or the entrance, and have a full view of your room
  2. Clutter must be avoided.
  3. Sharp and pointed objects must not point in your direction when you sleep, sit and relax (otherwise leading to inactivity and lethargy).
  4. Decorate with crystals and mirrors , pools of water and wind chimes to manipulate the flow of Chi

Below are some helpful tips that presumably will help amplify the positive Chi in the home’s environment, consequently aiding in the fulfillment of personal goals and life endeavors. 

LIVING ROOM

The living room is usually the busiest part of the house, and therefore one area that would benefit the most through Feng Shui. 

  • Avoid clutter or mess. According to Feng Shui beliefs, a messy room reflects the individual’s frame of mind.  It also breaks the healthy flow of energy.
  • Do not block passageways, as this also impedes the flow of energy and decrease productivity, the possibility of success, and relaxation.
  • Do not place a sofa in alignment with your door. This will cause the Chi to hit you while sitting, thereby promoting an irritable mood.
  • Chairs and couches must be facing the door, or at least not have their backs towards it. 
  • Seats must be arranged either in an octagonal or circular manner.
  • Have a mirror that is strategically placed to either reflect light to a particular space, or show the reflection of a symbolic element.  It can also be used to reflect the door, following the rule of a person always having a view of the door without having to turn to see it.
  • The main table, symbolizing health, must be kept tidy and even allow people to sit on it. 
  • Adding floral centerpieces to the table will help promote good health.
  • Never have excessive space between the sofa and the wall, which is seen to provide protection and security.

BEDROOM

Most practitioners of Feng Shui attribute the bedroom as the ideal place to conduct Feng Shui practices. Having good Feng Shui arrangements will help promote a good night’s sleep, and induce healthy energy flow that will stay with the person throughout the rest of the day.

  • The bed must be the center of Feng Shui at home.   As much as possible, use a wooden bed, which enhances positive energy and allows for comfortable sleep
  • Balanced energy must exude from both sides of the bed.  This can be done by placing side tables on either side.  Feng Shui rules say that this results in happiness and alertness during the day.
  • Close all doors in the bedroom at night to induce good sleep.
  • No televisions, computers, or any other unnecessary electronic equipment in the bedroom;  too much electrical flow can bring restlessness and sleeplessness
  • Keep the windows open as often as possible, and use an air freshener to purify the air.  Clean air for breathing is an essential part of good Feng Shui.  Avoid plants except if the room is large enough for them to be placed far away from the bed.
  • Install a dimmer switch, light fixtures of different intensities, or even buy non-toxic candles to be able to manipulate the amount of light – the strongest manifestation of energy. 
  • Only hang pictures and paintings that portray events you would want to take place in your life.  Experts say that images are very powerful elements of Feng Shui.

KITCHEN

The kitchen is a good place for Feng Shui, as many experts identify it as the room in which people interact with nature’s elements most often.

  • Keep this place of human nourishing neat and tidy at all times. Cleanliness in the kitchen will attract prosperity and promote good health.
  • Place the stove in an area where the cook will have a view of the whole room.  Never put the stove in a corner or by the window.
  • Keep the stove, sink and refrigerator at diagonals from one another, with six to eight feet in between one and the other.  This prevents any conflict between the opposing elements of fire and water.
  • Cook well-balanced foods to promote and enhance good health
  • Use the wooden paneling for the kitchen’s flooring in order to swiftly attract chi, bringing forth prosperity. 
  • Stoves must face south or southeast.   Burners must be used equally, symbolizing multiple sources of income.
  • If possible, keep the stove and sink are both in a right angle position. 
  • NEVER apply any red, pink burgundy or orange colors in the design, as they are associated with the fire element.

BATHROOM

This room of the house has a direct correlation with the water element.  In Feng Shui, its best location is facing North (attributed in Feng Shui as the water element). 

  • Never place the bathroom in the middle of the home, as it may negatively affect the health of family members.
  • If possible, install a large mirror in the bathroom.  Aside from making the bathroom seem larger, it is said that it can help increase the energy flowing inside the room.
  • The bathroom must not be readily viewed from the main entrance.  In the same token, it must not be directly aligned with your bedroom.  Otherwise, it will result in the production of bad chi that can drain your energy.
  • Keep bathroom doors always closed. 
  • Place stones on the toilet seat to avoid negative chi
  • Hang a glass or wind bell somewhere between the door and the toilet area to keep the energy from flowing out of the room too quickly.
  • Use “earth colors” like light brown or yellow to help absorb the earth element, and continuously give positive chi benefits to your family and household
  • Toilets and tubs must have spaces in between , allowing the energy to flow freely
  • Make it a habit to close the  toilet seat, which experts say will prevent wealth from being drained away

NOTE:
Do not forcibly follow these Feng Shui suggestions should there be space constraints in a particular room.  Doing so will only conduce stress instead of relaxation.  Use the available space wisely and creatively.