In the realm of domiciles, even the kitchen harbors its own set of taboos. What are the prohibitions regarding kitchen feng shui, and how should we be vigilant? What nuances surround the feng shui taboos in the kitchen? Let us delve into these matters together.
In the realm of household kitchen feng shui, there are several aspects that can influence the prosperity of a family. Firstly, the stove should not be positioned too close to the kitchen door; ideally, there should be at least two meters of distance between the stove and the entrance. Placing the stove and sink against the northern wall is optimal, as per the principles of feng shui which favor the magnetic field of the north. Such positioning facilitates the gathering of vital energy from the north, fostering prosperity within the household. The ideal orientation is west to east, aligning with the western wall to welcome auspicious energy from the east, thereby benefiting the family’s fortune.
Secondly, hanging mirrors in the kitchen is considered taboo. Mirrors should not reflect the flames of the stove, as it could lead to calamity. If a mirror is hung on the wall behind the stove, and it reflects the food in the pots, the consequences could be dire, often referred to as “heavenly fire,” potentially inviting disasters such as fires or misfortunes into the dwelling.
Thirdly, it is imperative that there are no overhead beams directly above the stove, as this could adversely affect the health of the occupants. The faucet must not directly face the stove burner, just as the washing basin should not be positioned too close to the stove. The stove symbolizes fire, while the washing basin represents water; both are the focal points of the kitchen. Therefore, the arrangement of other objects should revolve around them harmoniously, avoiding conflict. Such a layout will foster auspicious kitchen Feng Shui, conducive to prosperity in the household.
The kitchen floor should not be elevated higher than that of the living room or bedrooms. This prevents sewage backflow and maintains a hierarchical distinction. Moreover, the transition from the kitchen to the dining area should signify upward progression, lest financial setbacks occur.
The adjacency of the kitchen and bathroom is unfavorable. Although modern housing often combines these spaces for convenience and space-saving purposes, according to Feng Shui principles, this arrangement can lead to health issues for the occupants.
Ideally, the stove should face south, with its back against the north wall, aligning with the auspicious “return of the dragon, honoring the ancestors” configuration. Conversely, positioning the stove to face east or west, particularly against the east wall, should be avoided. The west direction represents yin energy, which is detrimental to the health of the inhabitants. If unavoidable, remedies such as placing a set of Five Emperor Coins behind the stove or laying a red rubber carpet in front of it can mitigate the negative magnetic field. Ultimately, the auspiciousness of the stove’s direction is determined by traditional assessments, with modern Feng Shui emphasizing the alignment of the stove’s mouth for optimal fortune. In the realm of Feng Shui, the orientation of the stove plays a pivotal role, with eight directions dividing between auspicious and inauspicious energies. Among these, four auspicious stars reign: Vitality, Longevity, Celestial Healer, and Hidden Position. Conversely, four ominous stars cast their shadow: Fatalness, Calamity, Five Ghosts, and Six Harms. Hence, the alignment of the stove must harmonize with the orientation of the dwelling and the resident’s destiny; seating oneself against adversity ensures prosperity, for veering astray may incur financial loss and bodily harm. The spatial arrangement within the kitchen holds undeniable significance in the Feng Shui layout of a residence, where the placement of the stove and sink constitutes its quintessential essence. Orchestrating the Feng Shui within the kitchen augments the household’s financial prospects.
Ten paramount taboos govern kitchen Feng Shui:
1. The kitchen entrance mustn’t confront the main entrance. As elucidated in the “Three Essentials of Yang Dwellings,” an immediate view of the stove upon entering dissipates wealth. Such an arrangement compromises the matriarch’s well-being and impedes financial accumulation, subjecting the household to fluctuating fortunes. Rectifying this layout entails altering the entranceway.
2. The kitchen entrance mustn’t confront the bedroom entrance. The onslaught of cooking fumes exacerbates headaches and irritability, unsettling the occupants.
3. The kitchen entrance mustn’t confront the restroom entrance. As the hearth symbolizes sustenance and prosperity, it necessitates auspicious energies, while the restroom, being impure, represents water. The incongruence between fire and water disrupts marital harmony, unsettling the household and compromising health.
4. The kitchen and restroom entrances mustn’t coincide. Although some households amalgamate both spaces for spatial economy, this convergence blurs the boundaries between fire and water, inviting inauspicious energies. Moreover, a sequence where one enters the restroom before the kitchen extinguishes desires and depletes vitality. 5. The flooring in the kitchen should not be elevated above that of the foyer or other areas, for it serves not only to prevent sewage backup but also to maintain a hierarchical balance, ensuring that the kitchen does not usurp the prominence of the foyer or other spaces. Moreover, as one transitions from the kitchen to the dining area, each step should symbolize an ascent, as descending may invite financial setbacks.
6. It is inadvisable for the balcony pathway to directly face the hearth. Such an alignment, akin to the corridor exerting pressure on the hearth, disrupts the auspicious accumulation of wealth and may contribute to ailments such as hypertension.
7. The kitchen stove should not directly confront the refrigerator or sink, as the refrigerator symbolizes preservation and wealth accumulation, being of watery nature and susceptible to the onslaught of fire, potentially impacting the well-being of household members.
8. It is unfavorable for the stove to be positioned beneath overhead beams. Areas frequented for ingress and egress, especially where culinary creations transpire, should not be subjected to oppressive structural elements. The stove, being the platform for culinary alchemy, warrants particular attention in this regard.
9. Opening windows between the range hood and cooking apparatus is ill-fated, as it may lead to financial losses and inauspicious outcomes.
10. The stove should never lack support behind it, for the well-being, matrimonial harmony, and societal standing of the household’s steward depend on a steadfast backing. An empty void behind the stove is unsuitable; it must lean against a solid wall, preferably avoiding glass structures. In the realm of layout considerations, it is deemed inappropriate for a kitchen to be graced with overhead beams directly above the stove. It is commonly held that such beams, pressing down from above, may adversely affect the health of one’s household members. Additionally, it is ill-advised to leave the space behind the stove vacant, for such emptiness is prone to inviting drafts, thereby destabilizing the flames and potentially disrupting the flow of prosperity.
Regarding orientation, the positioning of a kitchen holds significant weight within a household, being an area of frequent activity and necessity. As a guiding principle, it is advisable to avoid a westward orientation, as the oblique rays of the setting sun are deemed inauspicious. Beyond this caveat, there are no stringent rules governing the orientation of the kitchen; however, it is essential for at least one side to open towards a spacious expanse, such as a balcony, to ensure adequate ventilation and airflow.
For further insights into the nuances of kitchen Feng Shui, one may find value in exploring the intricacies of its interior design principles.
