What Is Feng Shui? A Guide to Creating Good Energy in Your Home

You might have heard of "Feng Shui" when people talk about interior design. To be a good interior design, it has to be harmonious and balanced, on top of being aesthetically pleasing. Feng Shui, often referred to as the ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, is a good ideology to follow when designing your own house.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui, pronounced as "fung shway," means “wind and water” if you translate it directly from Chinese. It originally came from early Taoism ideology and continues to be relevant today. This concept eventually spread across China and found its place in Western cultures as well.

The balance of Ying Yang

Feng shui originated from ancient Taoism beliefs of chi, which means the life force that flows through living beings. Chi is divided by yin and yang, which in direct translation will be light and dark. These are binary forces that can not exist by itself. Taoism beliefs state that people can improve the flow of chi by balancing yin and yang.

Feng shui is one of the methods of balancing yin and yang, specifically by rearranging structures like the furniture in rooms, the buildings in blocks, or even the organization of cities. The ancient Chinese people believed that arranging things to create positive chi would ensure good health, improve interpersonal relationships, and bring good luck and prosperity.

Five Feng Shui Elements

For over 3,000 years, the Chinese have viewed the world as five elements: wood, earth, fire, water, and metal. These elements make up all the things here on Earth. A good Feng Shui is essentially a well-balanced combination of the five elements.

These five elements generate one another. Wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates water, and water generates wood, as a whole cycle. They also counter one another. Metal counters wood, wood counters earth, earth counters water, water counters fire, and fire counters metal. These rules make general sense and are commonly used concepts in Feng Shui.

The Basics of Feng Shui in Interior Design

Feng Shui is a belief in traditional Chinese culture that suggests buildings and the natural environment can influence a person's destiny and fortune. Feng Shui practitioners observe features like mountains and rivers to make predictions about a person's fate and fortune. They also offer methods for adjustments and arrangements to improve people's lives.

Orientation Selection

One of the fundamental principles of Feng Shui in interior design is considering the orientation of your space. This involves determining the direction your home faces and its positioning. Feng Shui practitioners believe that certain directions are more auspicious than others and should be considered when arranging rooms and furniture.

Color Coordination

Feng Shui places great importance on color. Each color is associated with one of the Five Elements previously mentioned. By carefully selecting and balancing colors in your space, you can create a sense of harmony and balance. For example, soothing blues and greens represent the water element and can promote calmness, while fiery reds and oranges represent Fire and can add energy.

Furniture Arrangement

The layout and arrangement of furniture play a crucial role in Feng Shui. Proper placement not only ensures efficient use of space but also encourages the flow of positive energy. For example, placing your bed in the "command position," where you can see the entrance without being directly in line with it, is thought to provide a sense of security and control.

Water Features

Incorporating water features like fountains or aquariums can enhance the flow of positive energy in your space. Water represents wealth and abundance in Feng Shui, and its presence can invite prosperity and tranquility.

Benefits of Feng Shui in Interior Design

Improved Well-Being

Feng Shui principles can create a space that feels welcoming and balanced, promoting physical and mental well-being. A harmonious environment can reduce stress and increase overall happiness.

Enhanced Prosperity

By aligning your home with Feng Shui principles, you can potentially attract prosperity and abundance into your life. Many believe that the proper arrangement of elements in your space can positively influence financial and career success.

Increased Energy Flow

Feng Shui encourages the smooth flow of energy, which can lead to increased productivity and creativity. A well-designed space can boost your energy levels and overall vitality.

Closing Words

Feng Shui has been practiced for centuries, originally as a way to align architecture and design with the natural world to ensure health, prosperity, and happiness. Today, it continues to influence interior design principles worldwide.