Feng Shui is the art of placing buildings and objects in relation to energy flows, to heighten positive energies and minimise the negative ones. Feng Shui literally means 'wind and water'. It is based on the interaction of Yin and Yang, the female and male forces along with Chinese astrology and the five elements. The purpose of Feng Shui is to enable you to organise your home so that the Ch'i energy, the all-pervading life force, is accentuated by the precise positioning of your house, furniture, decorations and other objects.
Elements
Everything, including humans is classified into five elements: wood, fire, metal, water and earth. These elements have unique characteristics, colours and shapes associated with them. They can have a positive or a negative impact, depending on how they interact with each other.
The Five Elements are:
- Wood
- Fire
- Earth
- Metal
- Water
Yin and Yang are the complimentary, yet opposing principles of Chinese philosophy. They are like two sides of a coin. Yin is dark, feminine and negative. Yang is bright, masculine and positive. These two forces continually interact with one another and this interaction is thought to maintain the harmony of the universe. When they blend and achieve balance, there is harmony.
Yin elements include houses, trees, all inanimate objects and darkness. Yang elements include people, animals, light and animate things.
Yin and Yang affect your home and the way you decorate it. Read about some common negative problems with houses, and the solutions for them.
The use of Yin and Yang here is to illustrate that your house does not become too dark. On the other hand, in a big garden, shrubs, rose arches and rockeries can have a pleasing effect on a flat landscape.
Houses & Roads
There is a direct relationship between houses and the roads that connect them. It has a significant effect on the well-being and the fortunes of the occupants of those houses. This is caused by Ch'i the all-encompassing life-giving force that permeates the universe. If allowed to flow freely, the Ch'i energy is positive. If allowed to stagnate, this energy becomes negative. It becomes very harmful when channelled too quickly along straight paths.
Main Door
In Feng Shui, the main door has been accorded prime importance as it lets in or keeps out the vital life-giving force that promotes health, wealth and luck.
The best position for the main door is in the middle of the house. However, if your house faces the correct direction, it becomes irrelevant if the front door is positioned in the middle of the house or to one side.
If the door is not in the desired position, create as much space as possible in front of it and keep the area uncluttered. You could also paint the door in the colour that relates to the direction the door is facing.
Inside Home
You can use the principles of Feng Shui to position your furniture and interior décor in such a manner that it maximises the positive influences and minimises the negative ones. It is important to balance Yin and Yang. It is important to maintain harmony and balance in the home and can be achieved through strategic positioning of objects and the use of colour and light.
The left side of a room is the powerful Dragon, and on the right is the sleeping Tiger. Place things in constant use, such as clocks, electrical equipment etc. to the left, which is the symbol of power. The opposite half, belonging to the sleeping Tiger, must be kept quiet, calm and static.