The Eastern art of Feng Shui has become much more accepted and adored in the Western world over the past couple decades. And since our readers are always interested in learning about it, we thought we'd devote a whole page to Feng Shui meaning. Feng Shui Meaning When you understand Feng Shui meaning, it gives you a better grasp on how this technique works. Feng Shui is best referred to as a philosophy. Some people call it an art; some a science. All three terms probably have some truth to them. What is Feng Shui? Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that is used to bring more balance and peace into one's life through an an unencumbered flow of energy. It uses the science of energy to achieve harmony between our living and working spaces and nature. This spatial design technique uses chi (the energy that connects living things) to ensure that energy can flow through a space without blockages or overstimulation. History of Feng Shui "Feng Shui" is a Chinese word that translates to "wind water." It originated from an ancient poem that describes the connection between human life and the environment. This technique is 2000-5000 years old depending on who you talk to. Initially, it was used to help people identify places to build a home that would be safe and help them flourish. It was also used to find the best burial sites for loved ones.Eventually, whole cities were designed according to the Feng Shui concepts as Feng Shui meaning became more understood and appreciated.Master Yang Yun Sang is considered to be the founder of the Landscape School of Feng Shui. He left behind numerous classical Feng Shui writings. The Bagua Map - What Can Feng Shui Improve? Feng Shui can be used to improve every area of your life. This is best displayed by the Bagua Map, which is an energy map that can be superimposed over a floor plan to map out the space.Bagua means "eight areas." There are 8 sectors on the map, and each one relates to a different area of our lives. Each section also corresponds to certain earthly elements, colors, shapes, numbers, seasons, and directions.In the center of the map is a ninth area, which represents your overall well-being. Let's look at each section of the Bagua map in more detail now to better understand Feng Shui meaning... Family & Health Element: Yang, Wood Colors: Green, Blue, Teal Shape: Rectangular, Columnar Number: 4 Season: Spring Location: East Properties: healthy family relationships, hardiness, connection, healing past, releasing guilt and blame, connection to ancestors, new beginnings Wealth & Prosperity Element: Yin, Wood Colors: Purple Shape: Rectangular, Columnar Number: 5 Season: Spring Location: Southeast Properties: wealth, abundance, prosperity, affluence, gratitude, luxury, generosity, allowing, manifestation, enjoyment Center & Self Element: Earth Colors: Brown, Orange, Yellow Shape: Square, Flat Number: 5 Season: Transitions between seasons Location: Center Properties: harmony, balance, feeling safe, wholeness, empowerment, self-reflection, overall wellness Helpful People & Travel Element: Yang, Metal Colors: Gray, Metallics Shape: Circular, Spherical Number: 6 Season: Autumn Location: Northeast Properties: giving and receiving help, guidance, good connection, travel, transportation, ease of technology Children & Creativity Element: Yin, Metal Colors: White, Metallics Shape: Circular, Spherical Number: 7 Season: Autumn Location: West Properties: inner child, playfulness, fun, spontaneity, imagination, unique style, new ideas, relationships with children and animals, completion, joy Knowledge & Wisdom Element: Yang, Earth Colors: Dark Blue Shape: Square, Flat Number: 8 Season: Transitions between the seasons Location: Northeast Properties: stillness, solitude, self-love, self-care, education and study, meditation, reflection, knowledge, self-cultivation, skillfulness Fame & Reputation Element: Fire Colors: Red Shape: Triangle, Pointy Number: 9 Season: Summer Location: South Properties: shining your light, confidence, expansiveness, attractiveness, fame, reputation, passion, visibility Career & Life Journey Element: Water Colors: Black Shape: Wavy Number: 1 Season: Winter Location: North Properties: authenticity, pursuing your passions, career-related choices, honoring your true self, life path Love & Relationships Element: Yin, Earth Colors: Pink Shape: Square, Flat Number: 2 Season: Transitions between the seasons Location: Southwest Properties: sensuality, pleasure, relaxation, receptivity, giving and receiving love, sexuality, grounding, partnerships, marriage, self-care The 5 Elements A fundamental principle of Feng Shui meaning are the 5 elements, which originated from the Taoist traditions. They are designed to work together to create a complete system that balances nature with our environment. Each area on the Bagua map corresponds to certain elements, and by bringing those elements into that area of the space, it promotes harmony. Let's look at the 5 elements in more detail... Earth Colors: yellow, orange, brown Shape: square shapes Properties: grounded, self-care, stability, strength, stability, self-care, boundaries, nourishment, heavy objects Metal Colors: white, grey, metallic colors Shape: circular shapes Properties: efficient, precise, beauty , focus, order, joy, beauty, precision Water Colors: black, dark blue Shape: wavy shapes Properties: downward, flowing, shifting, emotion, inspiration, wisdom, connection Wood Colors: green, blue, teal Shape: tall, columnar shapes Properties: expansive, vitality, upward, creativity, growth, growth, healing, vitality Fire Colors: red, bright orange Shape: triangle shapes Properties: passion, illuminating, brilliant, leadership, boldness, passion, inspiration, visibility Yin and Yang Another important Feng Shui principle is Yin-Yang energy, which brings light to the duality of life and the fact that opposite forces are interconnected. The duality of Yin and Yang forces creates harmony, a key aspect of Feng Shui meaning. Yin - passive, soft energy, nighttime, coolness, quiet Yang - aggressive, "bold" energy, the sun, sociability, heatIn Feng Shui, we use Yin in the spaces where we want to relax and have a soothing energy, such as in a bedroom. We use Yang in social areas, such as the kitchen or home office. Feng Shui Crystals Feng Shui crystals bring positive energy into a space and further enhance Feng Shui meaning. Each crystal carries a different frequency that can be used to alter a space in a different way. Here are some of our favorite Feng Shui crystals... Clear Quartz - most versatile, purifies, protects, heals Rose Quartz - heart healing, love Amethyst - relaxation, stress relief, and sleep Discover how Amethyst can be used in every room of the house for Feng Shui here! Black Tourmaline - protection Citrine - self-esteem, prosperity Hematite - grounding, stabilizing Kyanite - stress relief Elite Shungite - EMF protection Feng Shui Symbols There are many Feng Shui symbols that further explain Feng Shui meaning. They are used to bring certain energies into a space. Here are some of the most popular ones... Bed = you Desk = an extension of your career Stove = your wealth and nourishment Flowers = flourishing good luck Fruit = longevity, prosperity, fertility Birds = freedom, inspiration, connection to the Divine Butterflies = love and romance Horses = success, fame, freedom, speed Mystic Knot = (a combination of 6 times the infinity symbol) long and happy life that is rich with good fortune The Guardians of Good Feng Shui Energy are 4 Feng Shui animal symbols that work together to bring in good energy through the four seasons and directions. They are: Tortoise = winter, north Green Dragon = spring, east Red Phoenix = summer, south White Tiger = fall, west Easy Feng Shui Tips Feng Shui is a vast science that requires a lot of knowledge, however there are plenty of simple and easy Feng Shui tips that you can incorporate in your living and working space to start making some improvements in your life. Let's look at some of them now... The Commanding Position The Commanding Position is the part of the room that is furthest away from the door. It cannot be in a direct line with the door. Instead, it is diagonal to the door. There should be a clear line of sight to the door from this spot in the room. It's the place where you'll want to spend most of your time because it feels the most comfortable. Remove Clutter Clutter blocks the flow of energy in a space, and since energy flow is of the utmost importance in Feng Shui meaning, it is an essential aspect to consider. It weighs us down and creates a chaotic energy that can cause issues in all areas of our lives. That's why one of the most important Feng Shui principles is to remove clutter and get organized. Let Go of Things Everything you own requires energy on our part to maintain it. That's why when we have too much stuff, it drains our energy. So, give away, donate, or throw out things you don't use or need. Getting rid of objects from past relationships is also critical as it will help cut the energetic cords between you and that person, allowing you to move forward in your life. Plants Plants bring the wood element into a space and promote prosperity and productivity. Place them in your home office or in the Prosperity Corner of your home or a room to enjoy more affluence. Main Entrance The main entrance is a huge component of Feng Shui meaning. It is where energy enters the home and it represents how the world sees you. Keep it clear, free of clutter, and bright. Decorate it with things that bring in the fire element. Broken Things Be sure to fix or get rid of things that are broken as they bring in bad luck. It is especially important to fix leaky plumbing as water symbolizes the flow of money, and leaks mean money will be flowing away from you. Open Spaces When we have open spaces in our environment, it provides an opening for opportunities to manifest. Open spaces are important in general, but it is especially important to make sure you have open spaces from the view in front of you when you're lying in bed or sitting behind a desk. Pointy Objects Sharp, pointed objects, such as sharp corners, crosses, overhead beams, and plants with pointy leaves channel negative energy. These objects are known as poison arrows in Feng Shui and it is thought that the negative energy from poison arrows travels by means of straight lines. If you have things like this in your environment, be sure to obstruct those lines with a softer object. Feng Shui Basics Feng Shui Basics: A Simple Guide to Transforming Your Inner & Outer Life - To help you understand the feng shui basics, we have outlined the aspects most important to feng shui for beginners, including energy, the 5 elements, the Bagua map, and the commanding position. Improve Your Living Space With the 5 Feng Shui Elements - The five feng shui elements provide a roadmap that helps us decorate our any area so that it supports our growth and happiness. Learn about each element, the cycle of elements, and how each one affects each other. Feng Shui Prosperity Corner The Feng Shui prosperity corner is one of the most popular ways to use Feng Shui meaning in one's life because we all want more prosperity, right? We've written an entire article on this subject: The Feng Shui Wealth Corner: How to Decorate it for Prosperity - Discover what items to place in your Feng Shui wealth corner to attract prosperity and abundance into your life. 9 Ways to Use Crystals to Attract Money - When you know how to use crystals to attract money, you can more easily eliminate your blocks and manifest the wealth you desire. These 6 ideas are fun and easy to put in place. Feng Shui Colors Feng Shui colors are often used to depict Feng Shui meaning. We've written an entire article on this subject: How to Use Feng Shui Colors to Improve Your Life - Discover how to use Feng Shui colors to improve every aspect of your life. Learn what colors to use and where to place them. Feng Shui Protection Feng Shui Front Door Tips for Abundance, Luck & Protection - With these feng shui front door tips, you can simply and easily bring more abundance, luck, and protection into your home and your life. You'll learn about what colors to use, how to decorate your main entrance, and what plants and crystals to add. Feng Shui By Room Feng Shui for the Bedroom: Improve Sleep, Romance & Health - When you understand feng shui for the bedroom, you can improve your sleep, your health, and your romantic relationship. Try these tips and tricks for an instant improvement! Feng Shui for the Office: Tips to Increase Productivity & Reduce Stress - When the energy in your office is set up to support your success, you'll find yourself being more productive, releasing work stress, and attracting prosperity. These feng shui for the office tips and tools are here to help! Feng Shui Desk Tips: Simple Ways to Attract More Wealth & Abundance - Did you know the placement of your desk and the way you decorate it can make a huge difference in your level of success and happiness at work? With these feni shui desk tips, you can do just that! Feng Shui Kitchen Tips for Health, Well-Being & Vitality - With these feng shui kitchen tips, you can set you and your family up for greater well-being and health. The kitchen is the heart of the home and sometimes, it needs a little help to balance the energy there. 10 Feng Shui Bathroom Tips That Will Cure Bad Chi - Use these feng shui bathroom tips to make simple changes in your home so that you can enjoy more positive energy in your life. You'll be so thankful you did! Feng Shui Dining Room Tips for More Connection & Fulfillment - When you have the right feng shui dining room tips, you can enhance your life with more happiness and fulfillment. Try these tips to help you create a better flow of energy that supports a happy family. Additional Information About Feng Shui Feng Shui Decorating Tips: How to Improve the Energy in Your Home - Use these feng shui decorating tips to understand what objects, colors, and elements to include in each area of your home. As you make simple changes, you'll likely notice a big difference in your life. The Do's & Don'ts of Decorating With Feng Shui Mirrors - Mirrors can make or break a space because they have a powerful effect on energy. Feng shui mirrors enhance the positive energy and reduce negative energy. Try these do's and don'ts today! Feng Shui for Love: Cures & Tips to Attract More Love & Romance Into Your Life - When we practice feng shui for love principles, we invite loving and romantic energies into our lives. Then, the love we desire seems to flow into our lives with so much more ease. * Crystals and stones should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Please read our full disclaimer notice here.