5 Elements of Feng Shui
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice which is involved in studying how the environment affects us in our daily life. The way we feel and the way act is greatly influenced by the environment that surrounds us. Therefore, by properly organizing our surrounding it would be possible to improve our life. This is the basic theory about Feng Shui.
To study the environment, Feng Shui uses five elements to achieve harmony and balance in any space. These elements are: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each of these elements has their own characteristics and properties. Brief detail about each of these elements is provided below.
The first element to be considered is wood. The Chinese word for wood is ‘Mu’. Wood represents innovation, creativity and birth, and it is a sociable element. This element corresponds to the color green and the east direction. By placing this element at a strategic spot in any space, it would be possible to add all the characteristics of this element.
Second Feng Shui element is fire. It is called ‘Huo’ in Chinese. This element symbolizes and brings activity, enthusiasm and energy to the places where it is found. It is a warm element which is to be handled with care as too much of this element would destroy the surrounding. Fire is represented by the color red and the direction south, and symbolizes the puberty years.
The next element in Feng Shui is earth which is ‘Tu’ in Chinese. This element symbolizes stability, patience and honesty. It is a methodic element that can also become demanding, and is ideal for everything that is related with real estate and inheritances. Earth is symbolized by color yellow and is representative of the early youth years.
Another Feng Shui element is metal or ‘Jin’ in Chinese. It represents success in businesses and harvesting. It can also represent a knife or cutting metal and be destructive through it. White and gold are the colors that symbolize it, and its direction is west. This element symbolizes the adult years of human life.
The last element in Feng Shui is water which is ‘Shui’ in Chinese. It has a very important role amongst all the Feng Shui elements, and actually the name Feng Shui contains its name in it, meaning water and wind. Water mainly represents communications and traveling. But it also represents learning, arts and media. Water is elemental for all living beings, be it humans, animals or plants. It can be quiet or violent. This element is represented by the color black and direction north, and symbolizes the old human years.
