Principles of Feng Shui
Feng shui has four major principles that guide its implementation. Each feng shui principle refers to a different aspect of the practice, combining to bring harmony to your home. The four principles of feng shui design include the following:
The Five Elements
Feng shui follows the elements of earth, wood, water, fire, and metal, which should be balanced when applying feng shui to your home. Here's what each means.
Earth - symbolizes stability and is connected to knowledge and wellness. The colors associated with this element include shades of yellow, orange, and brown.
Wood - represents vitality and is closely related to family. Associated colors are natural greens and blues.
Water - is primarily associated with change and flow, often symbolizing one’s career. The color black is typically linked to this element.
Fire - embodies passion and is often associated with wealth and recognition, with red being its dominant color.
Metal - signifies beauty and efficiency, emphasizing usefulness. Its corresponding colors are in the white and metallic spectrum.
Chi
When you feng shui your home, one of the most important traits to consider is its chi—the energy, aka the vital life force. Furniture placement and decorations can encourage or hinder the flow of energy in your space. In general, you want a good balance of space when decorating a room, allowing chi to move freely..
Commanding Position
The commanding position in feng shui denotes a location within your room that is the farthest from the entrance, providing an unobstructed view of the door while being out of direct alignment with it. This is the area where you should ideally spend most of your time within the room, and it's often where you would place your largest or most significant piece of furniture, such as a bed.
Bagua Map
The bagua is an energy map within feng shui that corresponds to the layout of your home. The term "bagua" translates to "eight areas" in Chinese, representing different facets of your life that you aim to harmonize. You are positioned at the center of the bagua (the "ninth area"), symbolizing your overall health and wellness. The eight categories encompass knowledge, family, children, wealth, helpful individuals, career, fame, and partnerships, with health representing the central ninth area.
