yang | Spirituality Blog

By Damien Pfirsch

Feng Shui and interior spaces

Feng Shui theories stem from the Taoist vision of nature, especially that our environment is animated by various energies. The Taoists categorize natural elements as Yin (the female elements) or Yang (the male elements) and Feng Shui theories advocate to create the right balance between Yin and Yang elements.

The applications of Feng Shui in Asian decor are numerous. In this first part, we will illustrate some Feng Shui rules applying to Asian decor interiors.

1. To enhance the flow of positive energy, corridors and stairways should be wide, sufficiently lighted and uncluttered. This theory is one of the reasons why Asian decor interiors are usually bright and not overwhelmed with too many home decor accents and furniture.

2. Round and smooth features help the development and of positive energy. Wedge-like, knifelike, and arrow-like walls and furniture should also be avoided. This explains why Asian decor advocate circular and round free flowing shapes.

Feng Shui believes do no only influence Asian decor interiors, but also Asian architecture. According to Feng Shui theories, a building should have three main positive attributes: stability, balance and smoothness.

1. Stability: the building should not rest on pillars or be built on a slope. Furthermore, no level (except for the ground floors) should be larger than others.

2. Balance: a construction is considered well balanced if it has a symmetrical architecture. Smoothness: there should be no strong angular features.

These three attributes also apply to Asian decor interiors: smooth shapes, symmetrical arrangements and stable arrangements are the keys to create a soothing and harmonious Asian decor.

Feng Shui and colors

The word Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) which translates to “the wind and the water,” is the Chinese art of correct placement. The main goal of Feng Shui is to enhance the “Chi”, literally translated as energy, to create a harmonious and positive environment to live in.

Science has shown us that colors can affect mood, actions and emotional and biological responses. Feng Shui beliefs are no different. Here are some examples on how colors are used to maintain, calm or enhance a specific Chi energy in Asian decor.

Red is the most yang (male element color) color. It is linked with fire energy and associated with luck, probably the reason that Chinese brides wear scarlet red wedding dresses. It is therefore a considered as a very good dominant color for the entrance of a house, to invite good energy in a house. In Asian decor, this color is also represented through most of the house through vivid red home decor accents or furniture.

Another recurrent color in Asian decor is green. Green is yin energy and emblematic of the growing phase of energy. It is also considered to be a color of freshness and peace and therefore a very good color for a bedroom.

Another Feng Shui principle is: the stronger the color, the less is needed for it to be effective. This is why in most Asian decor interiors, backgrounds colors tend to be pale where as accent colors are livelier.

Feng Shui and materials

According to Feng Shui theories, the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) are the keys to create a well balanced and auspicious Asian decor. In this last part, we will consider how Asian decor designers make sure some of these elements are represented in each room.

The first element to consider in a decor is wood, because it is the creator of new life; the beginning of the five-element cycle. In Asian decor, the wood element is incorporated with the use of plants (like bamboo, bonsai or bushy potted trees). The color green is also a way to represent this element and is therefore a recurrent color in Asian decor.

Fire is the most “Yang” elements. Because fire is so strong, it has to be used sparingly in a decor. An ambiance lamp with a red shade or some candles will usually be enough to make sure this element is sufficiently represented in an Asian decor.

The metal element is represented under various forms in Asian decor: silver, gold, copper, and bronze are its main forms of expression. One can be creative when using this element; it could be bronze bowls, copper vases or silver trays. Asian decor designers always look at the shape of the accents and sharp points or angles are always avoided.

About the Author: Damien Pfirsch is the founder of http://www.asiannoouveau.com, an online showroom presenting the latest home decor accents and furniture created by Asian designers. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, the website promotes Asian decor exporters to international buyers looking for unique accents to complement their collections.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=20837&ca=Home+Management

Read more here: Asian Decor And Feng Shui

By Lorraine Simpson

Feng Shui means “Wind and Water” – literally it refers to the topography of our planet and the way these forces of nature have shaped our landscape. It is a mystical practice blending ancient Chinese wisdom dating back at least 4000 years with cultural superstitions. This wisdom lays down guidelines for identifying and establishing favourable and unfavourable land sites and provides instructions on designing home layouts to dramatically enhance quality of life.

In the home Feng Shui features create harmonious relationships between partners, between parents and children, promotes good health and prosperity. In the workplace good Feng Shui creates opportunities for growth, attracts customers, increases profits and elevates prestige. An aura of goodwill pervades promoting good working relationships.

Good Feng Shui exists when the winds and water surrounding your home or workplace are well-balanced. Bad Feng Shui brings disasters, accidents, illness, lost opportunities and damaged reputations. Most of all bad Feng Shui causes unhappiness.

Feng Shui promotes living in harmony with the earth and it’s energies. It contends that the environment is full of powerful invisible energy lines, usually referred to as Sheng Chi – the Dragon’s Cosmic Breath. Some of these lines are auspicious while others are hostile. Feng Shui dictates ways of arranging you living or work space so that these energy lines create harmony rather than discord. The energy lines are harnessed to ensure they travel gently through the home and then gather and settle to bring good fortune. Inauspicious energy lines, Shar Chi, represent the killing breath. Feng Shui strongly warns against living or working in places hit by these hostile energy lines.

While the theory of Feng Shui is based on the Chinese view of the Universe the fundamentals are easily understood and applied. It’s laws relate to basic concepts of harmony and balance in the environment. There are two major schools of thought in Feng Shui; the Form School which diagnoses balance in terms of the shape and form of the terrain and the Compass School which takes a more precise view and uses the Luo Pan Compass extensively. Both schools of thought are equally important and both should be used to get the best from Feng Shui.

At it’s most basic Feng Shui is about the balance of opposites described as the Yin and the Yang – terms that most of us are now familiar with. According to Chinese wisdom all things are either the female Yin or the male Yang. Together these opposites make up the Universe and give each other meaning. One cannot exist without the other, for example without the Yin of darkness there cannot be the light of Yang. Feng Shui always includes an analysis of surroundings. Rooms that are too Yin lack sufficient energies to bring prosperity. Rooms that are too Yang have too much energy causing accidents and misfortune. A home must have balanced Yin and Yang to be auspicious and will be even more so if there is balanced Yin and Yang outside the home as well.

Buildings built too near hospitals, abattoirs, graveyards or prisons are too Yin because of the associations with death these places have. Also places of worship (churches, mosques, temples) give out too much Yin because of the mourning rituals associated with them. Rooms that have little sunlight or that are decorated in blue or grey, narrow or cramped rooms or rooms which have been occupied by a long time by a sick person have too much Yin.

Buildings constantly exposed to bright sunlight or heat, too near an electrical transmitter or large factory chimneys are too Yang. Rooms which have constant noise and that are painted in bright red, orange or yellow are too Yang.

A room should have elements of both Yin and Yang but never too much of one or the other. Black and white colour schemes are an example of Yin and Yang harmony but sounds and activity are also important. A silent room is too Yin, a noisy one too Yang. Remember that Feng Shui is a subtle blend of complimentary opposite energies and that is what you should strive to create.

About the Author: By Lorraine Simpson,Director,Fifth Ace Ltd.
http://www.cleoscaveonline.com
For more information on Feng Shui go to http://lsimpson.26feng.hop.clickbank

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=59401&ca=Home+Management

Continued here: What Is Feng Shui?