It's a powerful symbol of prosperity and stability, promising a year filled with growth and good luck. This year, it's not just about celebrating the Lunar New Year but also about preparing our homes to welcome this abundant year.
Feng Shui, an ancient practice also known as "geomancy" in English, can help us harness positive energy in our homes. This age-old practice, which merges elements of astronomy and geography, teaches us to understand and manipulate the flow of energy around us.
The Entrance
In Feng Shui, energy enters the home through the front door, just like people. Hence, paying attention to this area is crucial when planning your home's layout and design.
In China, it's commonly believed that "wealth does not enter a dirty door." Therefore, keeping your home's entrance clean and filled with light is important to prevent debris from accumulating there. It's also recommended to place auspicious decorations in the foyer, such as gold decor or crystal trees, which are believed to attract wealth and bring good fortune into the home.
Ideally, the front entrance should not directly face another passageway, such as a window or door. If there is a window or other opening in front of the door, you can use screens, cabinets, or curtains to block the space. Remember, a solid material will be more effective in slowing the flow of energy than something woven, transparent, or visibly porous.
The Living Room
The sofa placement is perhaps the most crucial aspect of Feng Shui in the living room. Ideally, your couch should be against a solid wall, which represents the face of a mountain. Mountains symbolise support, strength, and wealth. Choose a sofa with a high back or place a cabinet behind it to further strengthen this effect.
If your couch can't be against a wall, make sure it doesn't directly face a door or block hallways. Its placement should make the room feel as open as possible, which is beneficial to the family's qi and ensures energy can circulate correctly.
The Kitchen
In Feng Shui, kitchens represent fire, the most powerful element. While it is considered a vital life force, too much fire can lead to aggression, conflict, and hostility. For this reason, open kitchens aren't recommended in Feng Shui, as they allow fire to spread too quickly throughout the home. Since this space already has a lot of powerful energy, avoiding colours that are too dark or too strong, such as red or black, is suggested. Instead, opt for softer hues like pastels.
The Bedroom
The bedroom is where we typically spend long periods resting and sleeping, and its layout will directly affect our physical and mental health. Like the living room couch, placing your bed's head against the wall is the optimal layout. Ideally, the bed should face the room's entrance but not directly in line with the door. Don't position it directly next to a window either, as positive energy could escape through here.
Additionally, avoid beams above the bed, as this can force negative energy downward onto people. They can also energetically separate partners if a beam runs down the middle of a bed.
