It is often said: “One’s fate is determined by three factors: destiny, fortune, and Feng Shui.” Feng Shui holds a pivotal influence over our life’s trajectory, thus prompting meticulous attention from everyone. So, what are the taboos regarding Feng Shui in bathrooms and kitchens? Below is an article curated by the editor, shedding light on this topic. Let us delve into it together!
Taboos in Bathroom Feng Shui:
Taboo One: The Clash of Water and Fire
As the south corresponds to the element of fire, positioning a bathroom in the southern sector clashes with its water attribute. This juxtaposition symbolizes water suppressing fire, potentially disrupting the flow of auspicious energies and inviting inauspicious outcomes. The remedy lies in mindful architectural planning, ensuring that bathrooms are not situated in the southern aspect of residences.
Taboo Two: Overlooking Vertical Relationships
In the realm of home Feng Shui, having a bathroom directly above a bedroom signifies unfavorable spatial dynamics. Just contemplate the descent of impure air from the bathroom into the bedroom; it inevitably compromises the inhabitants’ well-being. Hence, when designing residences, one must meticulously consider the interplay between different floor levels, refraining from situating bathrooms directly above bedrooms.
Taboo Three: Elevated Bathroom Floors
According to Feng Shui principles, bathroom floors should not surpass the level of bedroom floors, particularly avoiding a sensation of towering superiority, especially in the placement of bathtubs. In the realm of elemental philosophy, water flows downward, nourishing what lies beneath. Prolonged habitation in a bedroom ‘moistened’ by water may lead to disruptions in the endocrine system. To mitigate this, refrain from installing basin fixtures in primary bedroom bathrooms and, if necessary, embed bathtub installations in bathrooms located farther from bedrooms. Prohibitions Four: The restroom directly facing the corridor is an ominous sign, a form of indoor “path-blocking evil” that is extremely detrimental to the health of family members. Pay attention to the relationship between the restroom and the corridor, and remember not to place it at the end of the corridor. Prohibitions Five: The restroom in the central part of the residence is ill-advised. The center belongs to earth, while the restroom pertains to water. Placing the restroom in a central position can lead to the phenomenon of earth suppressing water. Moreover, if the restroom is located in the center of the residence, both water supply and drainage may need to pass through other rooms, making maintenance extremely difficult. The center of the residence is like the heart of a person. If the heart harbors filth, can it still be called an auspicious abode? Due to the heavy moisture and foul air of the restroom, it is not suitable to be placed in the center of the home; positioning it towards the edge of the house is more appropriate. Prohibitions Six: The kitchen and restroom being adjacent may lead to a clash of energies, resulting in an imbalance between water and fire, which can cause various illnesses and disasters for the family. If the impure qi from the restroom flows into the kitchen, it may affect the quality of meals and subsequently influence the appetites and moods of family members. Placing the washbasin outside the restroom is a design technique commonly used in public spaces, but for residences, it may lead to excessive indoor humidity. a. Endeavor to separate the kitchen and restroom into different areas. b. If it’s unavoidable for the kitchen and restroom to be adjacent, then create a partition: add an extra wall or door panel. Hang a cloth curtain on the kitchen door. c. Place the washbasin inside the restroom. Prohibition Seven: Fully enclosed restrooms, lacking windows and relying solely on seldom-used exhaust fans, are highly detrimental to the dispersion of foul odors and the health of family members. a. Consider incorporating an additional window in the restroom’s design. If the restroom is fully enclosed, it is advisable to keep the ventilation fan running regularly and to use air fresheners appropriately to enhance the air quality within the restroom, as per Feng Shui principles. As for kitchen Feng Shui taboos, there are several. Firstly, concerning the layout of the kitchen entrance, it’s essential to avoid direct confrontation; the entrance should not face directly towards the main door. Such confrontation in Feng Shui may lead to financial instability, thereby affecting both wealth and health within the household. Secondly, irregularly shaped kitchens should be avoided as they may negatively impact the health of the occupants. It’s crucial to maintain a balanced and auspicious layout to avoid generating negative energies. Thirdly, the orientation of the kitchen plays a significant role; it should align with auspicious directions based on the occupants’ astrological charts. For instance, for those with a “Yang Fire” astrological profile, the southwest direction is favorable, as it can enhance prosperity and energy flow within the kitchen. Fourthly, in terms of stove placement, it’s crucial to avoid positioning it in direct alignment with the entrance, near the sink, or close to the refrigerator. Such placements may lead to conflicting energies between water and fire elements, potentially causing disturbances. Harmonious positioning of these elements is vital for a balanced and prosperous kitchen environment, as per Feng Shui principles. Recommended Reading: Feng Shui in Kitchen Design
What are the Feng Shui taboos for bathrooms and kitchens?
Firstly, the kitchen belongs to the innate element of fire in home Feng Shui. Because water needs to be boiled and food cooked in the kitchen every day, it is the most fiery place in the home. Survival necessitates sustenance, and the kitchen, where food is cooked daily, is the source of our sustenance. In the study of metaphysics and Feng Shui, it symbolizes food fortune, and to a certain extent, it also governs our financial fortune and blessings. In modern metropolises, with the accelerated pace of life, high living pressures, and soaring housing prices, some families may choose apartment-style housing without a kitchen, or they may dine out for all three meals, never cooking at home. In such cases, the homeowner’s financial fortune and blessings are inevitably diminished to some extent. Furthermore, the kitchen should be the primary workplace for the homemaker. In the innate Bagua, it belongs to the Li trigram, representing femininity. Families that do not cook at home typically experience marital discord, often resulting in delayed marriages. Many married couples, due to the increasing emphasis on appearance among modern career women, believe that cooking in the kitchen exposes them to oil fumes, damaging their skin, and thus, they tend to avoid the kitchen. In such households, marital affection tends to wane over time, making them vulnerable to external interference. From a metaphysical perspective, some people are inherently deficient in the fire element, such as those born in winter, most of whom favor fire. Individuals, irrespective of gender, frequently engage in culinary pursuits, harnessing the transformative power of fire to rectify inherent deficiencies with acquired vigor, thereby auspiciously enhancing their fortunes. For those women who shun the kitchen due to aversion to grease and smoke, immersing oneself in culinary endeavors not only fosters domestic harmony but also recalibrates personal fortunes. Elevated fortunes beget inner contentment, which radiates outwardly, yielding a notable refinement in appearance—a testament to the axiom “inner beauty reflects outwardly.” From the perspective of feng shui, the kitchen should ideally be positioned in an area abundant with auspicious qi, harnessing the fiery essence to invigorate the household and nourish its inhabitants through culinary alchemy. Pro tip: Some households opt for induction cooktops to mitigate smoke; however, their simulated flames pale in comparison to the vitality of traditional stoves. Secondly, the restroom, classified within the innate element of water and earth in the realm of domestic feng shui, represents the epitome of aqueous forces within the household. Serving as the conduit for purging impurities and redirecting them outward, the restroom is predisposed to accumulating stagnant energies, embodying a reservoir of turbidity. Thus, strategically locating the restroom in areas of waning or dissipation optimally facilitates the expulsion of unclean energies. Conversely, situating it within zones of vitality undermines the ascension of the occupants’ fortunes. If situated in the realm of wealth, the master will find it arduous to amass riches, and the depletion of resources will be notably severe. For those whose inherent Five Elements favor water, particularly those born in the summer, establishing a bathtub in the restroom and indulging in leisurely baths during idle moments can have a revitalizing effect, replenishing the watery essence. Moreover, individuals lacking in the element of water should take on the responsibility of laundering clothes within the household, as this too serves as a supplement to their personal fortunes.
Furthermore, during my exploration of geomancy, I have encountered numerous residences where the kitchen door clashes directly with the restroom door. Such a layout constitutes a profoundly unfavorable geomantic pattern. As previously discussed, the kitchen and restroom respectively symbolize the primordial elements of water and fire. When these two doors clash, it engenders a geomantic conflict between water and fire. In the trigrams of postnatal Bagua, water and fire reside in the north and south directions, representing the manifestations of yin and yang. Within a household, they symbolize the male and female heads of the family, respectively. Families with such a geomantic arrangement often experience discord between the male and female heads of the household, leading to frequent quarrels over trivial matters. In severe cases, this disharmony can escalate into ruptures within the family structure. Hence, when purchasing a property, one should diligently avoid selecting residences with such floor plans. Recommended reading: The intricacies of kitchen Feng Shui.
