In the realm of home decor, the nuances of feng shui are plentiful. Indeed, we can enhance our living spaces with better arrangements, paying heed to the auspicious and inauspicious aspects of household adornments. Let’s delve into it together.
Common feng shui arrangements in households often involve some cardinal taboos. Here are a few:
1. Placing beds by the window, a perilous gambit: Due to spatial constraints, many residences repurpose windowsills as sleeping quarters, optimizing space and expanding the bed’s width. While this maximizes the utility of the windowsill, a careless movement during sleep can lead to tragic accidents such as broken glass or bodily harm. Particularly concerning are children’s sleeping arrangements; their innate curiosity may draw them towards the window, increasing the risk of accidents. Hence, it’s advisable to position children’s beds closer to the wall corners. Moreover, excessive or low windows within the house should be avoided; as long as there’s adequate air circulation, fewer windows pose no issue. Sleeping too close to a window, especially one facing a busy street, can disrupt sleep and induce psychological unease during thunderstorms or when illuminated by streetlights. Feng shui, fundamentally intertwined with psychology and environmental science, becomes less of a superstition when appropriately applied to enhance our surroundings.
2. A bed lacking support at its headboard: A bed serves as a sanctuary for rest; however, if it lacks proper support at the headboard, a sense of security diminishes, leading to discomfort. Leaving the bed without a backing or support signifies a lack of stability. As we slumber or recline, our bodies unconsciously shift, potentially causing our heads to extend beyond the bed’s perimeter and risking injury. Ornaments possess a formidable influence, affecting the temperament of most individuals when they embark on journeys, often accustomed to procuring local specialties or handicrafts as mementos. For instance, ceramic wares, wooden carvings, oversized folding fans, sheepskin cow horns, and even wooden swords and forks serve as decorative items. These ornaments are often displayed in living rooms or interior spaces. In terms of ambiance, arranging some ornaments imbued with a sinister aura, such as ferocious beasts, menacing eagles, or eerie masks, tends to provoke irritability and impulsiveness. Conversely, adorning auspicious ornaments augments joviality and invites prosperity. Hence, one must be cautious not to deviate excessively from convention in home decor, lest one violate the principles of feng shui. Moreover, the forms of ornaments hold significant importance. As the Chinese adage goes, “If peonies fail to bloom and steeds hang their heads in dejection, where then is the blossoming of wealth and the arrival of success, where then lies good fortune?” From the perspective of feng shui, the placement of different ornaments serves distinct purposes, contingent upon their positions and orientations. So, what ornaments should one place in the home to adhere to the principles of feng shui? There are no strict rules governing this matter. In principle, avoid eccentric shapes and excessive accumulation, lest it devolve into a feng shui paraphernalia emporium. Generally, auspicious ornaments or paintings such as the Three Stars of Fortune, Nine Fishes, peonies, and unfurled peacocks are suitable for every household. Their lifelike forms not only imbue the abode with auspicious energy but also embellish the home’s aesthetic. However, gazing daily at somber portraits or melancholic inscriptions adorning the walls may give rise to fantasies and emotional distress. Posters and murals hung in front of children’s beds should be vivid, inspiring, and intellectually stimulating, with imagery devoid of any sense of fear. The orientation of the stove influences financial luck. Many people only focus on the Feng Shui of the living room and bedroom layout in their homes, neglecting the importance of the kitchen. The saying goes: “Door, Master, Stove,” referring to the positions of the main entrance, master bedroom, and stove. The kitchen is a place where water and fire are frequently used. The “Book of Changes” states that the harmonization of water and fire is essential for balanced yin and yang. Therefore, achieving a state of harmony between water and fire is crucial for smooth family fortune and household peace. According to the theory of the five elements, the east belongs to wood, and the south belongs to fire. Hence, it is preferable for the stove to face the southern direction where fire thrives. In fact, positioning the stove towards the east or south aligns well with the cardinal directions, as in ancient times, cooking fuel mainly comprised of wild grass and branches. Orienting the stove towards the east allows it to leverage the prevailing wind direction, facilitating fire ignition during cooking. The placement of the kitchen stove should adhere to auspicious directions to uphold Feng Shui principles. If positioned correctly, it promotes the health of household members and fosters harmonious relationships between spouses. Conversely, misalignment may lead to marital discord and health issues. Furthermore, the arrangement of kitchen fixtures, such as the stove, sink, and dish racks, should be in their correct positions. The stove should be shielded from the direct flow of water from taps, as it may lead to gastrointestinal illnesses. If the sink and stove are aligned in a straight line, it creates a clash between water and fire, potentially affecting marital harmony and health. Arranging the stove and sink in an L-shape configuration helps avoid conflicts between water and fire, aligning with the principles of Feng Shui. From a feng shui perspective, it is often said that one’s life is influenced by three factors: fate, luck, and feng shui. While having good fate is undoubtedly advantageous, if luck is not on one’s side, one can only wait for good fortune to arrive. In the absence of good fortune, one can rely on the assistance of feng shui. Good feng shui involves the harmonization of the five elements and directions. However, not every direction is suitable for everyone. The suitability of a direction depends on the individual’s BaZi destiny. Ideally, consulting an experienced feng shui master is the best option. For those who do not have such guidance, it is essential to understand their BaZi and the elements that benefit them. Here are some general guidelines based on birth season:
1. People born in spring have a strong Wood element and benefit from Fire and Metal. It is suitable for them to live in the southern or southwestern regions. The house should ideally face north or northeast to south or southwest.
2. People born in summer have a strong Fire element and benefit from Metal and Water. It is suitable for them to live in the northwestern or northern regions. The house should ideally face southeast to northwest and south to north.
3. People born in autumn have a strong Metal element and benefit from Fire. It is suitable for them to live in the southern region. The house should ideally face north to south.
4. People born in winter have a strong Water element and benefit from Wood and Fire. It is suitable for them to live in the southeastern or southern regions. The house should ideally face northwest to southeast and north to south.
Regarding common feng shui plants for the home, the Money Tree is a popular choice. Originating from tropical Africa, it is known for its ability to absorb toxic gases through photosynthesis. With thick, shiny leaves resembling coins, it is often called the Money Tree due to its auspicious appearance. The symbolic money tree, harbinger of prosperity and wealth, typically boasts a lifespan of over five years, making it an ideal choice for the busy white-collar worker. As for the auspicious bamboo, also known as lucky bamboo or eternity bamboo, it is often fashioned into tower-like structures, such as lucky bamboo towers, for Feng Shui purposes, believed to enhance one’s fortune and academic pursuits. However, contrary to popular belief, simply placing plants in the wealth corner does not necessarily augment financial luck. Softening the space with foliage is indeed advisable, yet caution should be exercised against sharp-leafed varieties. Therefore, lucky bamboo finds its niche not in the wealth corner but rather in the oblique positioning near the entrance.
Moving on to the graceful peace lily, with its neatly arranged leaves and elegant blooms, it stands as a sophisticated choice for both foliage and floral enthusiasts alike. Not only does it possess aesthetic appeal, but its air-purifying properties, particularly adept at absorbing formaldehyde and benzene, make it a suitable adornment for study desks, flower stands, coffee tables, or corporate altars, with ample exposure to bright, indirect light. Catering especially to individuals in the realm of literature and art, the peace lily not only exudes refinement but also enhances one’s creative endeavors, elevating one’s artistic pursuits to greater heights.
Then there’s the orchid, a traditional emblem of Chinese culture and a favored household Feng Shui plant renowned for its fragrance and elegance. Revered for its purity and grace, it has garnered admiration throughout the ages, earning the title of “gentleman of flowers” in Chinese culture. Orchids are believed to attract positive energy, wield authority, and foster interpersonal relationships, making them an ideal addition to office settings, where networking and influence are paramount. The characteristics of the Money Tree lie in its robust stem, elongated and verdant leaves, resilient yet vibrant, exuding vitality and vigor. Placing a pot of Money Tree in the southeast direction aids in attracting wealth and prosperity. Furthermore, positioning a large-denomination banknote beneath the Money Tree yields a compounding effect, symbolizing the nurturing of wealth through wealth. Money trees already carry significant symbolism as decorative items, and with money placed underneath, they become even more conducive to wealth accumulation.
The Iron Tree, also known as the Dragon Blood Tree, represents one of the most popular varieties of the Brazilian Iron Tree available in the market. With its slender leaves adorned with yellow spots at the center, it symbolizes strength and fortitude, supplementing the vital energy of residences, making it one of the most crucial plants for fostering vitality.
Seven common household decorative items and their Feng Shui taboos:
1. Wind Chimes: The crisp and melodious sound produced by wind chimes, coupled with their charming designs, captivates many. In Feng Shui, wind chimes serve as tools to disperse negative energy, particularly suitable for hanging at the entrance of the house. However, they should never be hung in children’s study rooms or master bedrooms, as the prolonged sound of wind chimes can lead to restlessness and agitation.
2. Indoor Plants: Indoor plants not only purify the air but also enhance the liveliness of indoor spaces as decorative items. However, they also have their Feng Shui taboos. Potted plants symbolizing auspiciousness, such as the Money Plant, Chestnut Tree, or Orchid, are popular choices. When these auspicious potted plants wither or their leaves wilt, they must be promptly replaced with new ones to continue attracting positive energy.
3. Clocks: Nowadays, clocks not only serve as timekeeping tools for our daily lives but also as stylish and personalized decorations for our homes. In the realm of feng shui, clocks as adornments also bear their feng shui taboos. It is deemed inauspicious to hang a clock in the exact center of the hall, for the word “clock” phonetically resembles “end,” thus hanging it prominently there might instill an unsettling sensation of encountering an end upon entering. Hence, it is preferable to place it on the periphery of the living room. When positioning the clock, one should also take heed: if aiming to invoke wealth and ward off evil, the clock’s face should never be directed inward but towards the entrance or the balcony. Furthermore, in feng shui, hanging clocks represent “motion,” while bedrooms and studies require a “serene” ambiance, hence sizable hanging clocks are best situated in the living room, rather than in bedrooms or studies.
Artworks (cross-stitch), calligraphy, or lunar calendars are common decorations in households, not only adding to aesthetics but also cultivating a more cultured ambiance. When utilized judiciously, they can significantly contribute to household feng shui. Many young individuals opt to embellish their rooms with celebrity posters, which, from a feng shui perspective, is deemed unsuitable. The ambiance within homes, especially in bedrooms, demands stability, whereas portraits carry a certain “spiritual energy,” potentially disrupting the energy fields we naturally cultivate. If one seeks to foster an auspicious feng shui ambiance, consider adorning the home with paintings featuring auspicious motifs like peonies or koi fish, or displaying calligraphic pieces with auspicious content and rounded fonts. The arrangement of artworks and calligraphy at home should not be overly dense, as it may not only dazzle the eyes but also cause stagnation in the household’s energy flow, potentially leading to health issues over time. Plush toys, adored by many young girls, often accumulate in abundance within homes. However, when purchasing and placing such toys, caution is advised to maintain harmonious Feng Shui. Opt for those with more “natural and pure” designs, steering clear of eccentric shapes, as they may carry negative energy. Furthermore, large-sized plush toys are best kept in less conspicuous areas to avoid startling others at night. Sleeping with a plush toy is also discouraged, as it could absorb the owner’s energy. Keeping a Feng Shui aquarium with auspicious fish is a well-known method for enhancing luck. However, its simplicity can mislead people into thinking that merely having fish is effective. In reality, there are many considerations for fish care, including placing them in the correct wealth area, typically diagonally opposite the main entrance, and ensuring their well-being to prevent illness or death. The popularity of collecting antiques has grown in society, and while these items carry rich historical significance, their impact on household Feng Shui is mixed. When utilized appropriately, antiques can protect the home and attract wealth, but improper placement may invite misfortune. Recommended reading: The Symbolism of the Golden Toad.
