The Five Elements of Feng Shui

Feng Shui focuses on creating a balanced blend of all five elements to produce a harmonious environment by applying the nurturing, controlling, and reducing principles of the five elements. 

New York University

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement used to facilitate the flow of Ch’i to increase harmony and balance in an environment.

Feng Shui 

Samson, Janie. (n.d.). Feng Shui: The Wind and Water. Retrieved fromhttps://academic.mu.edu/meissnerd/samson.html

Feng Shui History 

Ch’i is the animating life force that is everywhere that is divided into into sha (negative) Ch’i or yun (positive) Ch’i. Feng Shui aims to maximize the flow of Ch'i by maximizing yun and deflecting sha. 

Ch’i

Traditionally, yin is the dark, feminine, and receptive principle, and yang is the light, masculine, and active principle.  Together the yin and yang flow endlessly into each other, and when balanced, can be appropriately applied to interior spaces.

Yin and Yang 

- Mirrors should be placed at an angle in areas where the flow of yun Ch’i comes to a dead end so that the path of the Ch’i is directed further along its way
- Mirrors meant to counter sha should reflect it straight back out of the house 
- Wind chimes, running water, or any melodic, pleasing sound 
- Living Animals such as birds, dogs, cats, and plants
- Straight objects such as fishing rods, armrests of chairs, and bamboo poles can be positioned in a way to repel sha as it travels in straight lines
- Objects that move in a breeze, such as flags, banners, mobiles, and wind chimes
- Burning Incense
- Objects that promote stillness and serenity 

Methods of promoting Feng Shui

Feng Shui was documented as early as 960B.C. and incorporates the  philosophies of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism and has influenced (and been influenced by) many Chinese historical events such as the building of the Great Wall of China. 

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