Feng Shui

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is an ancient and complex Chinese art of creating harmony and balance between the energies (Chi) of the different spaces, in order to attract good fortune (happiness, health, spiritual grown, love, prosperity, others).


Main Principles of Feng Shui
To understand Feng Shui, we need to understand first its main principles.


Chi or Qi

Chi or Qi is the life force energy, that is present in all manifestations of energy.
It not only permeates the empty spaces between material objects, but it is also part of their composition. Everything in the universe is made of energy vibrating at different frequencies.


The Chi should flow freely and balanced through our bodies (7 chakras), and the space around us, for optimal physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. 

yin-yang symbol

Yin and Yang 
Are opposites forces that are constantly interacting, influencing, adjusting to each other and changing. Everything that is yin contains some element of yang and the same happens with yang.  
The two halves together form a whole. One cannot exist without the other, they complement each other. Its balanced interaction maintains the harmony of the universe and everything. 
Yin and Yang are manifestations of Chi.

YIN	Contractive	Cold	Moist	Dark	Passive	North	Night	Soft
YANG	Expansive	Hot	Dry	Bright	Active	South	Day	Hard

Bagua 

Is the feng shui energy map of a house/ apartment. The bagua is what will define the energy of each area. 
Bagua means 8 areas, that corresponds to the most important areas of a person's life.  


In the Classical or Traditional Bagua School, these 8 areas are related with specific cardinal points, that are easier to find with a compass reading.

• Career is at North (N)
• Fame and Reputation is at South (S)
• Health  is at East (E)
• Children and Creativity is at West (W)
• Love and Marriage is in the Southwest (SW) direction of the house
• Spiritual Growth is at Northeast (NE)
• Wealth and Prosperity is at Southeast (SE)
• Helpful People is at Northwest (NW)

There's a 9th area that is called the house centre that should be at the centre of the space. 

The Traditional Chinese bagua was adapted  by the Western Bagua school or BTB, in order to simplify it.

The 5 Elements of Feng Shui
The 5 elements of Feng Shui are represented by different colours, shapes and materials.

Wood - Health and Wealth

Color - Green

Shape - Rectangle
Materials - wood, bamboo, plants, cotton, others
Cardinal Points - East, Southeast

Fire - Fame and Reputation

Color - Red, Orange, Purple

Shape - Triangle
Materials - Fireplace, lightning, candles
Cardinal Point - South

Earth - Spiritual Growth and Love and Marriage 

Color - Yellow, Brown

Shape - Square
Materials - Ceramic, clay, sand, stones, crystals
Cardinal Point - Southwest, Northeast  and Centre

Metal - Children and Creativity and Helpful people

Color - Metallic, White, Gray, Golden, Silver

Shape - Circle, round
Materials - Metals dishes, frames and bowls
Cardinal Point - West and Northwest

Water - Career 

Color -  Blue, Black

Shape - Curvy
Materials - Glass, mirrors, fountain
Cardinal Point - North

Objects or Furniture with different elements

Some objects/furniture can have 3 or more different elements, like a metallic lamp that is  colored red and have curvy shape. Normally, first is the color, then shape and for last material. 
And there are pieces that can have any element: pillows, walls, decor objects, rugs, textiles.  

The Destructive and Productive Cycles of the Elements 

These elements interact between with each other. So, they should be used carefully to not break or destroy each other and create a destructive cycle, but to strengthen each other and create a productive cycle. 
However, certain elements can be used to control another element that is destroying a needed element, like a fireplace in the West, weakening metal. 

Example of Destructive Cycle:

Metal cuts Wood→ Wood grows and consume Earth → Earth reduces Water→ Water extinguishes Fire → Fire melts Metal → 

Water corrodes Metal
Wood Reduces Water
Fire Burns Wood

A Productive Cycle would be:

Water provides moisture for trees to grow/ Wood → Wood generates and feeds Fire → Fire when turned to ashes, creates Earth → Earth when condensated over time, turns to Metal → Metal nurtures with minerals the Water → 

North (Water) - Avoid  earth, wood elements. Needs metal elements.

South (Fire) - Avoid water and earth. Needs wood, fire.

East and Southeast (Wood) - Avoid fire and metal. Needs wood, water, earth.

West and Northwest (Metal)- Avoid fire and water. Needs earth.

Northeast and Southwest (Earth) - Avoid wood and water. Needs earth, fire.

When placing objects, materials, colors and furniture in a room,  we should consider how to use the 5 elements to create productive or controlling cycles, reinforcing the space according the direction (Bagua) and balance the elements of yin and yang energies, in order to allow the flow of the Chi and attract good fortune to all the areas of our life.

Feng Shui Tips for the Rooms 

In Feng Shui, every room is important, but there are 3 areas that require additional attention, because of their major importance for the well-being -  Bedroom, Kitchen and Bathroom - called the Trinity of Feng shui.

Bedroom

• The bed should be placed diagonally with the door
• The bed should have a solid wall behind it
• The bed head shouldn't be in the same wall where is a toilet
• Stored things under the bed sends energy away
• The television should be covered during sleep
• The bed shouldn't be under a window
• The bed should have two round bedside tables in each side to bring balance
• The bedroom should have soft lightning
• Photos of family and friends shouldn't be in the bedroom
• Mirrors shouldn't face the bed 
• The bedroom door should be closed during sleep
• There shouldn't be living plants or water moving

Kitchen

• The refrigerator should never be empty
• The kitchen shouldn't be in the centre of the house
• The back of the stove should have a wall behind
• The kitchen door should not face the stove. It's believed to affect the food
• The top of the stove shouldn't have beams
• The kitchen shouldn't have plants
• The stove, a fire element and the sink, a water element shouldn't be facing each other in a straight line. It may bring couple's quarrel or health issues.
• The stove shouldn't be next to the sink either it can cause infidelity
• The kitchen shouldn't have mirrors

Bathroom

• The door should be closed and the toilet seat too, to avoid energy to go down the drain
• The bathroom shouldn't be  located in the centre of the house or above the bedroom
• The bathroom door shouldn't be facing the kitchen
• Should be clutter free
• Toilet seat and the mirror should not face the door directly
• The mirror and the toilet seat shouldn't be facing each other
• The bathroom should not be moist but dry and clean

Living room 

• Fireplace sends the energy out of the home
• Sofa should be against a solid wall
• Circular or oval tables let the energy flow better
• Should be close to the front door to welcome who enters
• Should have windows
• Front door shouldn't directly face the sofa

Dining room

• Oval or round dining table are better for the Chi flow
• The table should be in the centre of the room
• The seats should be facing the door or window and not back to the door/ window
• Damaged dishes, glass, others should be discarded
• Having a bowl filled with fruits attracts abundance
• Clock should be removed as they remind of the passing time

The Front Door

• The front door should be larger than other doors inside of the house
• Should be properly maintained 
• The door should open inward to allow easier and more welcoming entry
• The front door shouldn't be in a corner
• Avoid sharp plants, like cactus at the entrance
• Reduce clutter and obstructions
• The entrance door should not face the doors of the other rooms
• The front door should not be aligned with the back door
• Shouldn't be a mirror facing the front door

Extra Tips for all the rooms

• Minimalism lets the energy flows better, as well as clean and organized places

• Get rid of everything you don't like or don't need

• Open the windows often to allow natural light into your house

• Dried Flowers represent decay and stagnation

• Keep all the windows cleaned