Feng Shui: Colors & Flowers

Just what is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It is a complex ancient art that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.

Feng means “wind” and Shui means “water.” Followers of Feng Shui believe the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy. By focusing that Chi in the right ways, you can live a fuller, healthier, more balanced life. Harmony and balance with life are the major principles of Feng Shui teaching.

Feng Shui can affect every aspect of our lives. By simply adjusting the objects in our homes and lives, we can adjust the energies associated with them. We’ve all heard how color affects moods, well Feng Shui takes that idea to a whole new level. In this post, you will see how by simply ordering an arrangement of fresh flowers in a certain color or shape, you can enhance, balance or reduce specific moods in a space.

Feng Shui and You

Different people have different energy needs. Feng Shui offers a way to narrow down your specific needs. This can get very complicated and it can take a lifetime to master the art of Feng Shui, but with a bit of research, you can start opening up these energies in your life.

First of all, what is your Feng Shui birth element? This is where the research comes in, but it’s very simple! Simply go to this page and locate your birth year on the chart to identify your birth element. I was born in 1986, that makes my element Fire. Now that we know our elements, let’s take a look at how to put them to use!

Feng Shui and Color

Color is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in your space with Feng Shui. Each color is an expression of one of the Five Feng Shui Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.

Remember, scientifically color is light, and light is our number one nutrient. Although you might not believe whole-heartedly in Feng Shui, there is definite logic behind the use of color and moods, aka Chromotheropy.

Let’s take a look at what Feng Shui has to say about colors and moods:

Fire Element

• Fire represents passion and high energy.
• Primary colors of fire include: red, orange, red-violet, pink and strong yellow.
• By balancing this Feng Shui element, your space will bring energy in your career efforts and will help you achieve recognition.
• The symbol for the element fire is Triangle.
• Use strong yellow in the south of your space or home for happy gatherings and good times.

Wood Element

• Wood represents health and vitality.
• The primary colors of wood are brown and green.
• The Feng Shui Wood Element will bring the energy of health, vitality and growth. It is also an expression of abundance, thus an ancient Feng Shui cure for wealth and prosperity.
• The symbol for wood is rectangle.
• Use houseplants and fresh flowers to bring more wood element into your home or space.
• Color Green is excellent for improving health and balancing family life when used in the east of your home.

Earth Element

• Earth represents nourishment and stability.
• Primary colors of earth include: light yellow, beige and various earthy/sandy colors.
• The symbol for earth is Square.
•  A strong and harmonious earth color in your home will help create stability, nourishment and protection for all your relationships.

Metal Element

• Metal represents clarity and preciseness.
• Primary colors of metal include: gray and white.
• The symbol for metal is Circle.
• Metal elements in your space or home brings the qualities of sharpness, precision, clarity and efficiency.
• Pure White in the west of your space or home will bring supportive energy for all your creative endeavors.

Water Element

• Water represents ease, freshness and abundance.
• The primary colors of water are blue and black.
• A balanced water element will bring a refreshing energy of calm, ease, purity and freshness. Water is also the ancient symbol of abundance, thus a potent Feng Shui cure.
• The symbol for water is Waves.
• Fountains and mirrors are a great way to bring the element of water into your space or home.
• Color Blue is a very good in the north area of your home or space to support the energy of your career growth.

How You Can Use Feng Shui In Decorating

Now that you know what each element of Feng Shui represents, how can you use them in your own life? It can be as simple as adding the element’s color or symbol into your decor through painting, artwork, fresh flowers, photography or anything else. Choose Feng Shui colors according to the energy you need. The more colors you harmoniously absorb throughout the day, the higher your sense of well-being is.

Beginning Steps to Feng Shui In Your Home

• Clear Clutter in your home and life.
• Fresh Air – Think fresh flowers and air-purifying house plants.
• Good Lighting – There’s no greater energy source than the sun.
• Remove Negative Images – Opt for more cheerful and optimistic art, be it home decorating, computer wallpaper, etc)
• Avoid Sharp Angles, especially when pointed towards you.
• Best Color – Use the right colors for you. (Keep reading for more on this!)

For a more advanced method of Feng Shui in your home, you can create a Bagua. “Bagua” literally means 8 areas, because ancient people defined 8 areas that are very important for your health and well-being. Click here to watch a video on how to create the Bagua map for your home. This map will help you determine which parts of your home needs what type of element.

Strengthening or Weakening the Presence of a Specific Feng Shui Element

Let’s say you have a living room that is all wood – wood fireplace that is a rectangle, wood ceiling, wood furniture, etc. How can you tone down the wood to help balance the room out through Feng Shui?

This is where the Productive and Destructive Cycles come in. To reduce the influence of wood, add more Fire Elements because fire is a destructor of wood. Do this by painting a wall red or adding red flowers. If it were the other way around and you needed more wood element in a room, you would add water, because water nourishes wood.

Productive Cycle – use to strengthen particular elements

Water nurtures -> Wood nurtures -> Fire nurtures -> Earth nurtures -> Metal nurtures -> Water

Destructive Cycle – use to weaken particular elements

Water weakens -> Fire weakens –> Metal weakens -> Wood weakens –> Earth weakens –> Water

 Feng Shui & Ordering Flowers

Need a little pick me up? Buying yourself flowers is always a treat, however buying yourself flowers in order to boost your Feng Shui energies might help even more!

Need energy to get through a tough situation? Why not order a bunch of red and orange flowers to improve your fire element? Have big project at work? Why not order white orchids in a silver vase to stimulate the element of metal, which encourages clarity and preciseness.

Florists & Feng Shui

Florists, how can you use the colors and elements of Feng Shui to your mix? First of all, figure out what works. Consider the properties of colors and shapes when creating arrangements for specific situations. When creating a “Get Well” flower arrangement, earth and wood elements are the most beneficial. Looking to create some sparks? Passionate fire element colors mixed with the greens of wood are a recipe for romance. (Maybe that’s why red roses are so popular on Valentines?!)

If you have a client more appreciative of the eclectic, create something specifically for them. You must first:

• 1. Figure out where the flower arrangement is going to be placed.
• 2. Visit or photograph the entire room and take note of what elements are most prevalent.
• 3. Ask the client what feelings or tone they would like the room to set. (Happy, peaceful, energized, etc.)
• 4. Create a floral design that is a unique work of art. Use flowers, colors and shapes to add or reduce the elements necessary to achieve the setting desired.

While Feng Shui may not be for everyone, to the right client it might be exactly what they’re looking for.

This is just an intro to the world of Feng Shui. Aside from colors and shapes: directions, numbers, bodies of water, stars and more are energies that influence us all. If you are interested in the subject, there are many books, articles and videos available on this ancient art.

Fore more on Feng Shui and flowers, keep following the FSN blog!

Feng Shui compass photo via borghal.