Everything You Need to Know About Feng Shui

Many people believe that your perception of the environment affects how you think and behave. Therefore, creating a relaxing environment begins with arranging objects within that environment in a specific way. This is the principle behind the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, which sees us arrange our living and work environments to promote balance, harmony, and health. Here is everything that you need to know.

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What is Feng Shui?

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice based on the idea that all objects harness energy. The way that furniture and other objects are arranged in your space can impact how you feel, for better or worse. Practitioners believe that balancing opposing (yet complementary) energies increases the flow of good energy in the space, which generates good health, luck, prosperity, and improved relationships.

The practice guides where furniture and other objects should be placed in relation to windows and doors in the space, as well as according to the five natural elements.

What Are the Basic Principles of Feng Shui?

Four major principles guide the implementation of feng shui. Each refers to a different aspect of the practice and they combine to bring harmony to your home or workplace.

1. The Five Elements

There are five natural elements that feng shui considers – earth, wood, water, fire, and metal. They are said to affect how you feel within a space, are represented by specific materials and colours, and must be balanced.

• Earth represents stability and is related to both knowledge and wellness. Its colours are yellow, orange, and brown.
• Wood represents vitality and is related to family. Its colours are greens and blues.
• Water represents shifts and flow, and is related to career. Its colour is usually black.
• Fire represents passion and is related to wealth and fame. Unsurprisingly, its colour is red.
• Metal represents beauty and efficiency, and is related to helpfulness. Its colours are white and metallics.

2. Chi (Yin and Yang)

The philosophy behind yin and yang is the belief that everything is comprised of contradictory energies that cannot be separated. Together, they form chi (or the energy of life). Feng shui is used to balance yin and yang through the specific arrangement of furniture and decor to improve the flow of positive chi and block negative chi.

Yin represents feminine energy and is associated with dark, water, the moon, and the north. Yang represents masculine energy and is associated with energy, light, fire, the sun, and the south.

3. Bagua Map

This refers to an energy map that corresponds to your home’s floor plan or the layout of a specific room. The word “bagua” translates to “eight areas”, which represents the areas in your life that need to be brought into balance – knowledge, family, children, wealth, helpful people, career, fame, and partnerships. You are the centre of the bagua (or the “ninth area”), which represents health and wellness.

4. Commanding Position

In feng shui, this refers to an area in the room that is furthest from the door without being in direct line with it while also having a clear sight of it. This is the spot where you’ll want to spend most of your time while in the room and is likely where you’ll place the largest or most important piece of furniture (such as your bed).

Related Link: Feng Shui Living Room Furniture Placement

Tips for Using Feng Shui

While some people work with a feng shui practitioner to harness the energy in their homes, there are some steps that you can apply to various spaces yourself.

• Decluttering can help you eliminate objects that block positive energy, as well as reduce the amount of waste you produce.
• Specific colours and materials correspond with specific objectives – for example, purple is linked with wealth, and wood with vitality and upward movement, so these are good choices for your home office.
• Furniture is in a commanding position when it's facing the door or entryway and your back is placed against a solid wall.
• Mirrors can be used strategically to provide a view behind you if furniture must face away from the door, but you need to be careful with placement (never above a bed or above nose level, for example).
• You shouldn’t hit any furniture as you cross a space and walkways to other rooms should be clear.
• Use drapes or blinds on big windows that are directly opposite the front door, as energy can fly right out of it. Alternatively, place something in front of the window (such as a plant) to bounce energy back.

Related Link: Tips For Feng Shui Mirror Placement

Create an Environment that Promotes Psychological Wellbeing with Feng Shui

If you’re looking to make improvements in your life, don’t be afraid to give feng shui a go. Think of this practice as a way of setting up your home so that it encourages the life you want to live. Changing the way you perceive your environment can change the way you think and behave in it. Begin with small changes, such as rearranging the furniture in a room, until you feel comfortable moving on to more major updates.

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