The Feng Shui of a building greatly impacts its energy flow and overall harmony. Do you seek insight into what constitutes favorable Feng Shui for a building? Let us explore a comprehensive list of taboos regarding residential building Feng Shui.
1. **Avoidance of Strong Winds**: When selecting a property, it’s paramount to assess the surrounding environment for any flaws. Pay particular attention to the prevailing winds. If the vicinity is prone to strong, gusty winds, it’s advisable to reconsider, as even a property with auspicious Qi might find its energy dispersed by the fierce winds. Feng Shui principles emphasize the importance of “concealing wind to gather Qi,” implying that excessively windy locations are unlikely to be auspicious. While excessively strong winds are unfavorable, stagnant air due to insufficient airflow is equally undesirable. The most desirable living environment is characterized by gentle breezes, gently caressing and refreshing, aligning perfectly with the principles of Feng Shui.
2. **Abundance of Sunlight**: Feng Shui for residences places great emphasis on sunlight and fresh air. Therefore, when choosing a dwelling, it’s essential not only to prioritize air quality but also to ensure ample sunlight. Properties lacking in sunlight tend to accumulate excessive Yin energy, leading to disturbances within the household, making them unsuitable for habitation.
3. **Avoiding Contamination at the Core**: This principle advises against utilizing the central area of a residence for bathroom facilities. Just as the heart of a person would suffer from the accumulation of waste, so too would the energy of a home be adversely affected by such placement, resulting in unfavorable outcomes.
Would you like further elucidation on any of these principles? If the toilet is not situated at the central axis of the house but instead aligns with the rear half of the dwelling, forming a straight line with the entrance, it is inadvisable as a residence, as it may lead to financial loss and familial discord. Streets or alleys directly facing the house are unfavorable in feng shui, as they bring rapid and harsh energy, potentially causing significant problems if they directly hit the residence. Therefore, when selecting a building, it is prudent to survey the surroundings to ascertain whether there are any streets or alleys directly facing the front, back, or sides of the house. If the main entrance faces a road directly, the longer the road, the greater the peril, especially if it carries heavy traffic. Feng shui practitioners regard roads as ‘water’ because the flow of traffic and pedestrians generates a dynamic ‘qi’ that directly influences the feng shui of the building. Ideally, there should be a protective ‘jade belt’ encircling the building. However, if there are roads resembling a bowstring in front of and behind the building, it can have adverse effects on the building and its occupants (specific effects depend on the orientation and alignment). Direct alignment of streets with the house is also a major taboo in feng shui. In terms of orientation, residences should ideally have a solid backing (such as a mountain) and an open front (such as a clear field or lake) to ensure ample sunlight penetrates the interior, thereby enhancing the indoor environment. The selection of a favorable environment through the window is crucial for a restful ambiance. If the view faces a bustling market or a busy street, it could disrupt tranquility. Generally, residential buildings of six stories have ceiling heights around 2.8 meters. However, with the addition of ceiling fixtures and thick flooring, the net height may reduce to approximately 2.5 to 2.6 meters, or even lower. From a feng shui perspective, this is unfavorable as it induces a sense of oppression, failing to meet comfort standards. Thus, when choosing a residence, the actual ceiling height should ideally be at least 2.8 meters, with 3 meters or more being most desirable.
Ventilation is another crucial aspect of residential buildings. Adequate airflow is essential for occupants’ comfort and well-being, especially during hot summers when cross ventilation is necessary. To maintain proper ventilation, the orientation of doors and windows must facilitate smooth airflow. If airflow is hindered, indoor air quality may deteriorate.
There are several taboos in building Feng Shui regarding apartment buildings. For instance, if a balcony directly faces the main entrance or the kitchen, it is recommended to keep the curtains drawn for extended periods to block the energy flow. It’s also advised not to align the entrance directly with the balcony to avoid what is known as the “piercing heart” effect, which can lead to financial loss and other misfortunes. Remedies for these Feng Shui issues include placing a cabinet in the foyer to separate the entrance from the balcony or placing a fish tank at the entrance (unless water is detrimental to the occupant’s destiny, in which case a screen can be used instead). Another solution is to use window coverings on the balcony side or to plant potted plants and climbing vines to block the energy flow. Keeping the curtains drawn for extended periods is also considered an effective measure. The balcony should not directly face the kitchen, as it creates a “piercing heart,” diminishing the home’s sense of togetherness, increasing the likelihood of infidelity, and deterring children from returning home. Feng Shui remedy: adorn the balcony with climbing vines or potted plants to create separation; alternatively, employ sound barriers. Keep curtains drawn or use cabinets/screens to obstruct direct view between balcony and kitchen, prioritizing ease of movement for residents. The goal is to prevent a direct connection between the balcony and kitchen.
Placing a long sofa under a beam can be remedied by decorative ceiling elements to neutralize its negative energy. Avoid positioning sofas and beds under beams as prolonged exposure may lead to health issues. Feng Shui solution: avoid placing sofas and beds under beams or conceal beams with decor to minimize their visibility.
For individuals with water element aversions, avoid having fish tanks at home, contrary to the belief that they attract wealth. Understanding the Five Elements preferences and aversions is crucial; adhere to specific prohibitions to maintain harmony. Feng Shui remedy: consult the resident’s Five Elements preferences and aversions from the almanac to avoid placing items conflicting with their elements.
Rain canopies over balconies should have curved edges, avoiding pointed shapes. Arrow-shaped canopies over balconies are detrimental to those frequently using the space. Feng Shui solution: if necessary, opt for curved edges rather than pointed shapes when installing rain canopies. 6. The positioning of the stove should not directly face the rear balcony or kitchen door, as it detrimentally affects the well-being of those who frequently dine at home. Feng shui remedy: Install fabric curtains on the doors as a barrier.
7. Avoid haphazardly installing mirrors at home to prevent disrupting the indoor magnetic field. Sometimes, mirrors are used for decorative purposes to create a sense of expansion indoors, but it’s advisable not to install large mirrors in bedrooms as they may disturb the occupants’ magnetic field due to reflection. Feng shui remedy: If mirrors must be installed, it’s best to have them on one wall only, avoiding dual-sided placement to prevent reflection. Alternatively, utilize decorative fabric as curtains to conceal them.
8. Opt for plants with broad leaves rather than those with sharp, slender leaves like cacti, which may lead to verbal disputes. Careful consideration should also be given to indoor plants. Avoid planting species with slender leaves, as they may incite verbal disputes among residents. Ferns and vines are best avoided as well, as they tend to create a more yin environment, attracting “unclean” entities if they flourish indoors. Feng shui remedy: Choose plants with broad leaf surfaces or robust vitality.
9. The positioning of the toilet is crucial in home feng shui. If dividing the house into nine equal parts on the floor plan, the area located in the center is the “central palace” of the home. The toilet should not be located in this “central palace,” known as “toilet occupying the central palace,” as it adversely affects both the financial luck of the household and the health of its occupants. Feng Shui Remedies: If the construction company has placed the toilet in the central palace position, try swapping the washbasin and toilet, or keeping water in the bathtub for a long time, which can improve the situation. In addition to the interior of the building, the exterior decoration of the building is also important. Some people add protruding objects such as human heads on the surface of the house, making it look like the house has a tumor. Such negative imagery in exterior decor should be avoided in home Feng Shui. Feng Shui Remedy: Choose a plain and square exterior for the building. If there are no special requirements, do not arbitrarily change the appearance of the house. A balcony directly facing the kitchen is a form of “piercing heart sha”, which weakens the cohesion of the family, making it easier for husbands to have extramarital affairs, wives to seek affairs, and children to be distant from home. Solution: Plant climbing plants on a flower rack or place potted plants to create a barrier between the inside and outside, or use curtains to block the balcony door; or, on the traffic line between the balcony and the kitchen, use cabinets or screens to shield. Recommended Reading: Feng Shui Taboos for Row Houses. Feng Shui Taboos for Apartment Buildings: If there is construction work outside the window, it corresponds to the location of the building. When there are scaffolds during construction, the negative energy is at its peak, as it resembles “thousands of arrows piercing the heart”, which significantly affects the building where you reside. During construction, the closer the number of floors being built is to the floors of your building, the greater the impact—for example, when the construction reaches the fifth floor, the negative energy affecting floors five to ten of your building is the strongest. When reaching the tenth floor and beyond in one’s abode, the looming concern escalates, extending its reach to floors ten through fifteen, and so forth. Recommendation: In such instances, it is advisable to draw the curtains tightly shut on the windows facing the construction site, or employ concave mirrors to deflect the adverse energies. Secondly, if one spots the sharp edges of a rooftop from their window, or if the outward view from their residential floor aligns directly with such angular protrusions, the occupants therein are subjected to the greatest detriment. This impact is typically most pronounced on floors directly facing the angular menace, while those residing farther away (either higher or lower) experience a diminished influence from this Feng Shui affliction. For instance, if the opposing edifice, which emits the sinister aura of sharp angles, stands at ten stories high, and one’s dwelling is situated on the tenth floor, the effects are unequivocally heightened on the tenth floor, whereas the impact diminishes on floors either above or below. If the elevation is such that the angles of the edifice are entirely obscured, whether by height or by depth, then one’s abode remains impervious to the onslaught of malevolent energies. Thirdly, the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of a building’s height merits careful consideration. One must take note of the proportion between their own residential structure and the adjacent edifices. If one’s dwelling looms too high, resembling a “lonely peak,” it assumes the ominous guise of isolation; conversely, if one’s abode is nestled in a depression, surrounded by towering structures, it bodes ill. In the realm of Feng Shui, the principle of “Left Azure Dragon, Right White Tiger” holds sway. Should the disparity in height between the structures flanking one’s abode be substantial, casting one’s dwelling betwixt these towering edifices bodes ill. Moreover, an uneven elevation, with one side soaring and the other languishing, augurs inauspiciousness. However, if the gap spans a mere three floors or less, fret not, dear friends, for the portent is mitigated.
In the lexicon of geomancy, residing aloft holds primacy. The lofty abodes enjoy a fortuitous shield against malevolent energies, whereas those dwelling below, particularly beneath the eighth floor, court the pernicious influences of lampposts, truncated pillars, and spires. Hence, it is advisable to seek refuge on the tenth floor or beyond.
