Feng Shui – Everything You Need to Know About Chinese Philosophy

Feng Shui – Chinese Concept of Human and Environmental Balance

You’ve probably heard of the philosophy and practice of Feng Shui before. However, not everyone realizes the power behind this ancient Chinese concept. At its core lies the achievement of optimal balance between humans and their surrounding space. However, Feng Shui is much more than just arranging objects in a room – in this article, I delve into the deeper aspects of this philosophy.

What is Feng Shui? Basics of Chinese Philosophy

The basic definition of Feng Shui is about the technique of selecting and arranging elements in the space around a person. This mainly involves furnishing interiors in rooms or offices. The goal of such practices is to achieve balance in the environment, which positively impacts the mind and body.

The concept of balancing life and environment originates from the translation of the words feng (wind) and shui (water). In Chinese – and more broadly, Asian – culture, this philosophy is called Tao, which translates to “the way”. Taoism reflects simple principles of nature, among which Feng Shui ideology holds a prominent place.

Taking a closer look at this concept of world balance, attention should be paid to three elements:

• The principle of yin and yang
• The bagua grid
• The principle of the five elements

In the context of working towards life and spatial balance, professional consultations with Feng Shui experts at Flow Space can be incredibly helpful. However, it’s important to first understand the key principles of this fascinating philosophy.

The Principle of Yin and Yang in Feng Shui

The fundamental concept within Feng Shui is the principle of balance between the energies of nature – the feminine yin and the masculine yang. The former is considered weak and passive, while the latter is strong and active. Only in perfect harmony can both energies balance each other, allowing the individual using this concept to achieve life balance.

It’s also important to note that yin and yang always strive towards each other. The weaker phenomenon, based on yin, seeks to strengthen and reach a yang state. This can be seen as an explanation for the construction of the entire universe and the transformations that occur within it. Chinese cosmology even suggests that this extraordinary energetic dualism is responsible for the spontaneous emergence of the world from the chaos of material energy.

Can the balance of yin and yang be achieved internally as well? Absolutely, because this concept is not only about nature or natural phenomena. If you want to influence the balance of your own psyche and body, it’s worth exploring techniques such as Tai Chi and Chinese medicine.

The Bagua Grid

The bagua grid is an energy map of Feng Shui superimposed on a house plan. The term “bagua” from Chinese means “eight areas”, each of which pertains to slightly different life circumstances. Furthermore, all these areas are characterized by specific shapes, colors, seasons, numbers, and other elements.

At the center of the bagua grid is you, creating a special ninth area representing your overall well-being.

It’s worth influencing the individual spheres of the bagua using Feng Shui techniques, which significantly improves the quality of life. However, before you start working on harmonizing energy, you need to identify the areas that need improvement.

Division of the Bagua Grid

This grid divides into the following zones:

1. Family (Zhen)
   • Area of Life: family matters, new beginnings
   • Shape: columnar, rectangular
   • Colors: green, blue, sea
   • Season: spring
   • Number: 4
   • Element: yang wood

1. Wealth (Xun)
   • Area of Life: money, abundance, prosperity
   • Shape: columnar, rectangular
   • Colors: purple
   • Season: spring
   • Number: 5
   • Element: yin wood

1. Helpful People (Qian)
   • Area of Life: interpersonal relationships, benefactors, travel
   • Shape: round, spherical
   • Colors: gray, metallic
   • Season: autumn
   • Number: 6
   • Element: yang metal

1. Children (Dui)
   • Area of Life: fulfillment, joy, offspring
   • Shape: round, spherical
   • Colors: white, metallic
   • Season: autumn
   • Number: 7
   • Element: yin metal

1. Knowledge (Gen)

   • Area of Life: family matters, new beginnings
   • Shape: columnar, rectangular
   • Colors: green, blue, sea
   • Season: spring
   • Number: 4
   • Element: yang wood

1. Fame (Fi)
   • Area of Life: reputation, passion, visibility
   • Shape: triangular, pointed
   • Colors: red
   • Season: summer
   • Number: 9
   • Element: fire

1. Career (Kan)
   • Area of Life: life path, career
   • Shape: wavy, meandering
   • Colors: black
   • Season: winter
   • Number: 1
   • Element: water

1. Relationships (Kun)
   • Area of Life: relationships, marriage
   • Shape: flat, square
   • Colors: pink
   • Season: transitional period between seasons
   • Number: 2
   • Element: yin earth

Additionally, at the center of everything lies the ninth zone, where you and your health reside. This area is called Tai Qi and represents health, well-being, and “the self”. The shapes are flat and square, while the main colors are orange, yellow, and brown. The best time to work on Tai Qi is transitional periods between seasons. The number of this zone is 5, and the key element is earth.

The Principle of the Five Elements

In Feng Shui, we distinguish five elements: earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. They originate from Taoist tradition and represent five phases of life interconnected with each other. In a holistic approach, these elements form a complete system, the balance of which translates into harmony.

Similar to the bagua grid, in the principle of the five elements, you must first identify the sphere you want to focus on. Supporting a specific area of life is then done through skillful interior planning and optimal selection of accessories.

However, it’s important to remember to seek help from a professional Feng Shui consultant to select the best techniques for working on your own energy. Without knowledge and experience, you may activate work on harmonization in a sphere that doesn’t actually need support.

Is it Worth Using Feng Shui in Everyday Life?

There are several benefits to working on energetic balance according to Feng Shui principles. Here are a few advantages of this Chinese philosophy that experts in this extraordinary field most commonly point out:

• Improved well-being
• Peace of mind
• Effective pursuit of set goals
• Improved relationships with other household members or coworkers
• Success in professional fields, including increased wealth
• Support for mental and physical health
• Healthier daily life
• Increased energy and motivation for action
• Balancing negative forces and supporting positive energy

Summary

Working on your own energy (chi) and its harmonization with the support of Feng Shui is an incredibly important element of our lives. Many people wrongly underestimate this sphere of energetic activities. However, consulting your concerns with a consultant can realistically improve your daily life on many levels.

Interested in Feng Shui consultations? Looking for help in expertly analyzing your apartment, company, or house? Schedule a consultation with Klaudia Pruszowska at Flow Space office in Jelenia Góra or online.