A lot of people in western culture have heard of Feng Shui, and some may even be able to describe how it works, although it’s often in rather broad terms. Most likely you’ll hear it explained as “Something about the way things are arranged…and…the energy of…water? A mountain? The universe?” Well, that’s a start. While Feng Shui isn’t generally considered a hard science, it’s a historic pillar of Chinese culture and has roots that go back over 8,000 years. In that time, it has seen significant study, refinement and expansion in equal measure by practitioners around the world.
The earliest records of something we can identify as Feng Shui date to 4,000 BCE in central China, where buildings were constructed in such a way that their front doors aligned with the sun or certain stars. Later archeological discoveries show its evolution, with shapes and decorations found in tombs that represent celestial objects, and charts that helped early practitioners plan events based on the heavens.
But it was the invention of modern tools that really kicked things up a notch. The magnetic compass and the astrolabe (an apparatus used to measure the movement of planets and stars) helped refine and enhance existing techniques, and eventually Feng Shui was being used to plan the layout and design of graves, houses, decorations, bodies of water and even entire cities to harness the positive effects of qi, the energy that penetrates everything in the universe (a concept which George Lucas borrowed for his Star Wars movies).
Today Feng Shui is still widely practiced by Chinese around the world, and many use it to plan the layout of their homes, offices, gardens and even entire buildings. Of course, many are skeptical about the practice, but there are also those who swear by its efficacy.
There are far too many elements of modern Feng Shui to get into in a single blog post. The practice today has many schools, and each has their own rules and forms, which can deviate slightly or greatly from more established methods. There are approaches that claim to maximize advantage with money, aspirations, family or fame; rules that dictate the layout of furniture, water fountains and parking lots; and even forms which include elements from eastern and western religions. Some use Feng Shui to improve health, decrease bad luck, and even to size up a potential mate by evaluating the “Feng Shui-ness” of their home upon the first visit!
However, there are some basic rules that anyone can try to see if they notice a difference. Who knows, maybe you’ll become one of the many Feng Shui experts who consult on everything from the shape of a new koi pond to the direction a building faces:
- De-clutter! Many experts recommend you carefully look at every item in your home. If you’re not using it, ditch it. Clutter creates confusion, and a clean space = a clear mind.
- It’s all about flow. The energy of the universe moves in a flow, man, and if you block it, you invite bad luck. Create spaces that are inviting and easy to “fall into”. This includes eliminating obstacles, creating inviting entry ways, and making your house/office/room easy to find – qi is powerful, but it doesn’t have a map to your location.
- Ouch! Sharp angles are like little catapults for negative energy, and this includes tables, chairs, countertops, etc. Round those babies off and increase your harmony.
- Limit the colors. Don’t use more than three colors to decorate. And while we’re talking about colors, red = passion/courage; yellow = happiness/nourishment; blue = tranquility/peace; green = growth/health; orange = optimistic/sociable; brown = strength/stability.
- Avoid doors. Don’t sit with your back against the door, and don’t put the headboard of your bed on the same wall as a door. Doorways are like the offramps of hallways, in which bad energy can sometimes whoosh by, shooting through the doors. That doesn’t sound good, does it?
- Water, water everywhere. Water is a powerful element, but be sure to place aquariums or fountains in the east, north or southeast part of a room to benefit business endeavors. What about north or northwest? Put a safe there (a metal one, preferably) to generate income.
- Bad shoes! Don’t put shoes beside your front door, because good qi passes them as it enters your house. And when good qi picks up the stanky odor from your sweaty Nikes, it suddenly isn’t so good anymore.
Just what is Feng Shui?
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