Wind and water, that’s the literal translation of “Feng Shui,” the ancient Chinese art of environmental design. Feng Shui has been practiced for thousands of years and is believed to increase prosperity, health and general well-being. The basic principle is balance of yin and yang, also known as passive and active energies. Everything from the placement of a building on the land to the placement of accessories inside the building is carefully considered. For most Westerners, following every suggestion in traditional Feng Shui is impractical, but there are simple Feng Shui tips you can incorporate to create a more harmonious atmosphere in your home or office.
Enter With Joy
Entryways are thought of as the mouth of a home where chi or energy enters. Welcome good energy into your house by keeping the entry free of cobwebs and other debris. Keep up on basic maintenance and repairs such as replacing burnt out light bulbs. Add identical pots of flowers on either side of the doorway and a fresh doormat to make everyone—including yourself—feel welcome when they approach your door.
Clear the Clutter
According to Feng Shui, there is an energetic connection between humans and the things they own. Living with too many unnecessary items can drain personal energy causing depression, tiredness or a general sense of unwellness. You don’t have to adopt a minimalist style, but getting organized and letting go of those items you really don’t need or use is an important part of Feng Shui design.
 |
| Via HGTV |
Soften the Edges
Sharp-edged furniture, weapons (including kitchen knives), hooks or anything else that seems like it could poke, bump or bruise should be replaced or put away from sight. In Feng Shui tradition, these types of items signal to the reptilian brain that home isn’t a safe place to be. If there’s a table you frequently bang your toe on or a light fixture that hits your head if you forget to duck, replace it with something safe and friendly. In the same vein, keep your home in good repair so it is a safe and secure place to be.
Hello Nature
One main tenant of Feng Shui is the Five Elements theory which states the importance of incorporating something from the five elements of nature into your design. Those elements are fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Examples of items that represent the elements include sunlight and flame (fire), brick and dirt (earth), rocks and metal (metal), crystals and mirrors (water) and plants and flowers (wood). Having the five elements represented in the home increases energy and positive feelings.
As you can see by these Feng Shui tips, your home doesn't have to look like an Asian import store in order to benefit from the art of Feng Shui. We can't insure incorporating Feng Shui design will bring more prosperity or better health, but living in a well-maintained, de-cluttered environment will certainly make life less stressful.
For home tours, home tips and more visit homechanneltv.com.