The Five Elements of Feng Shui

Reading the fundamentals of the Feng Shui theory and art you will come across the five elements that reflect the theories and basics of the philosophy. These five elements are: fire, earth, wood, metal and water. These five Feng Shui elements represent the different status and qualities of the energy that surrounds us. The elements feature some kind of energy of their own and they are complementary parts of every single detail associated with the Chi.

Each one of these elements features its own characteristics. The interaction and influence of the other elements is of significant importance for the harmony and balance in the house. Let's have a look at the basic elements and their characteristics:

Wood: Wood it the element on which the theory is based. It represents the birth of a new life and its season is spring. In order to add some wood in your environment, you have to place living plants. The furniture wood is not supposed to add anything in the house, simply because it's dead and has nothing to do with energy. On the contrary furniture can only prevent the natural and good flow of energy in a living and working space. Wood is associated with the green color and resides in the Eastern angle of the house.

Fire: Fire is supposed to be the element that represents the productive cycle and is considered to be a Yang element. The season represented by fire is summer and the main color here is red. Fire objects might be dangerous for the house, therefore you can use some well appointed substitutes, such as red shades and lamps with red light. Fire is an element that resides in the South according to the Bagua map.

Earth: The Earth is the center of all actions and elements and is represented by the period between summer and fall, and the period that leads us from winter to spring. Earth is produced by fire and is not in good interaction with metal, as metal has the ability to exhaust it. The main colors of the Earth are all pastel and earthy colors. Earth resides in the Northeast for positive Chi.

Metal: Metal comes from the earth and is considered to be the remedy element. It is represented by late fall and winter. The colors of the metal elements are silver, gold and grey. You can place small statues and sculptures in the living space to enhance the metal element. Metal resides in the Northwest.

Water: Water is supposed to be the Yin element and is represented by winter and the colors blue and black. You can place a small fountain, an aquarium or a swimming pool so as to enhance the water element in your house. Water resides in the north.

Articles in Feng Shui are for references only and does not represent the owner's point of view.