Feng Shui

Introduction

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement and arrangement of space and the objects in it to achieve positive life energy (Chi). Feng Shui is based upon the idea that what and where you place items in your room can have a remarkable effect on every aspect of your life including your well-being, career, personal outlook, and your love life. Feng Shui teaches us to work with natural energies, rather than battling against them, creating harmony and balance around us.

Feng Shui literally means "Wind and Water" in Chinese. In ancient China, building required careful consideration, since the area was prone to flooding and strong mountain winds.

All over the world, architects and landscape designers are requested to apply Feng Shui principles in their work. Many businesses also use Feng Shui to increase sales and boost morale. Homeowners may utilize it during their interior decorating or whilst designing and constructing their home.

Thanks to the ancient Chinese, Feng Shui is now accessible to everyone and the benefits can last a lifetime. By adhering to the basics of Feng Shui in the home, chi energy will flow smoothly and freely, allowing you to attract and accumulate large amounts of positive chi. The Chinese believe that chi is a type of ‘luck’, which can be utilized to increase success in all aspects of your life

History

Feng Shui originates from Taoism, the balance of life. It was used in China more than 3000 years ago, but it may date back much further to 500 years or more and yet it is still used in modern day designs. During the early 1800s Feng Shui was introduced to the US with the first Chinese immigrants who came with the Californian Gold Rush.

Feng Shui was originally used to choose locations for palaces for royalty, but later influenced the design and layout of many cities, villages, dwellings, and buildings.

It has since famously been used to aid the design of Disneyland in Hong Kong and the Big Brother House. Virgin Airlines, the Bank of England and the United Nations have also employed it.

Chi

It is thought that the chi energy flowing through us nourishes the mind, body and spirit and acts as a link between us and the natural world. Chi cannot be detected by any of our senses, it is the life force behind everything including the movement of the stars, the changing seasons and weather and the changes in our lives. Chi is one of the most important aspects of Feng Shui as it surrounds everything and binds together all the various aspects involved in Feng Shui. The flow of chi energy through the earth is influenced by geographical landscapes and formations. Similarly, the arrangement of your home will dictate how easily chi energy can flow.

The aim of chi in your home is that it enters, flows around smoothly before leaving at the other side. Whilst in the house, chi can be manipulated as required for each particular room

Yin and Yang

As the yin yang symbol demonstrates, everything is both yin and yang, but never entirely one or the other. Yin is restful, whilst yang is active, both of which activities ends with the other and so the circle goes round. Although yin and yang are effectively opposite, together they produce a balance.

The Yin Yang principle can be applied to an individual’s personality; it is something that is pre-disposed at birth by their physical constitution. Yin and Yang people are thought to have different facial features, personalities and typical occupations.

Principles

The basic theory of Feng Shui is to utilize the 5 elements of earth and 8 elements of Gaw. The 5 elements are Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. Each element confers certain characteristics upon an individual’s nature and personality and also has implications that relate to a buildings location and composition. The 8 elements of Gaw are Kin, Tu, Fire, Chun, Shung, Water, Kun and the Kwon. Their combination can account for the things that occur in a house, a country or anywhere on Earth.

The principles of Feng Shui are relatively straightforward and many are pretty much common sense and help us to avoid accidents and keep our homes clean and uncluttered.

Applying Feng Shui to Your Home >

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