The Art of Wind and Water

The Art of Wind and Water

Ancient ideas of harmony with one's environment are winning converts

Ancient civilizations paid no attention to lead poisoning, much less radon or asbestos contamination, but they had many ideas about keeping in harmony with their physical environment. While some cultures use amulets to protect an individual and connect that individual and connect that individual with spirit of life around them, others maintain that harmony with one's environment comes from careful planning of the space one occupies. No culture took this concern further than the Chinese, who for thousands of years have practiced the art of feng shui, which translated literally means wind and water. The goal of feng shui is to create balanced and suspicious relationships between individuals and their environment, both natural and their environment, both natural and man-made. Correct placement of home, office, and the various features of each (furniture, walls, rooms, windows), as well as gravesites is thought to portend well for an individual's prosperity, physical and emotional health, and harmony with others. The belief is that the external arrangements of one's environment affect the ch'i (translated as breath), or life energy that is the spirit and vital force of people, animals, and nature alike.

While in certain parts of Asia fen shui has been practiced for millennia, its introduction to the West is quite recent. As more Chinese investors come to American cities, architects, real estate agents, and business people have learned just how important feng shui can be to prospective bueyrs. Buildings with bad feng shui simply do not attract the same throngs of customers as those with good feng shui.

Each feng shuo master has a different way of looking at the feng shui of a given space. Some use a feng shui compass (called a luopan), some use a mystical tool called a ba-gua, and some rely on intuition to assess the feng shui of a building or room.

For Westerners seeking better feng shui for their living spaces, here are some tips from feng shui expert Sarah Rossbach. Her books include Living Color: Master Lin Yun's Guide to Harmony Through Color (Kodansha), Fen Shui: The Chinese Art of Placement (Viking), and Interior Design with Feng Shui (Penguin, 1987).

Use mirrors, crystal balls, and lights: Mirrors can be used to cure a wide variety of feng shui ills.Outside a building they are hung to reflect ban feng shui, whether it be from a road aimed at the building, a tall neighboring building, a tall neighboring building or a funeral parlor. Inside, the bigger the mirror, the better. Mirrors are hung to reflect good views of water or gardens, to draw in light from the outside, and to increase the illusion of expanse and light.

Art of wind and water. Photo by Elena.

Small-faceted crystal balls are also widely used in feng shui. They are said to bring to the resident the gift of farsightedness and good perspective. Lights are also powerful feng shui solutions. If, for example, one lives in an L-shaped house one would be well-advised to install a floodlight outside to square off the missing corner.

Employ sound. Wind chimes are the typical sound device used in feng shui. Traditionally, they disperse bad interior and exterior feng shui, and redirect ch'i in a beneficial way.

Embrace living objects. Plants and flowers, whether they are real, silk, or plastic, send nourishing ch'i throughout the room. They are said to bring clients and money to businesses and restaurants, and in the home they can resolve design imbalances such as acute room angles that might be affecting the life of the inhabinants.

Fish bowls and aquariums are used to encourage nourishing and money0making ch'i (water symbolizes money). In offices fish are used to absorb bad lucj, those with aerators being the most effective.

Don't fear moving and heavy objects. Electrically powered and wind-powered objects such as mobiles, windmills, and weather-vanes often stimulate ch'i of such things as roads and long hallways. Sometimes an object such as a stone or statue can help stabilize an unsettling stituation (holding down a job or holding on to a relationship).

Hang the flutes up: Bamboo flutes historically were used to report peace and good news, and have come to represent peace, safety, and stability. They must be hung with their mouthpieces facing down. They also symbolize protection and are thus hung in homes and stores to drive away thieves.

Choose colors carefully. Colors can be applied to various areas of a room or building to affect a specific aspect of one's life. Black is the color of the water element and thus connotes money and wealth; red is an auspicious color used in Chinese celebrations and weddings; white is the color of mourning and is thus avoided; yellow represents longevity; green is growth and tranquility. In the home pastel colors should be used: blue, pink, or green.

The Feng Shui of Furniture

If the foot of your bed faces the door, it's your funeral.

Feng shui experts offer these tips on arranging your furniture for good feng shui:

Bedroom: Optimally, a bed should lie diagonal to the door so that the occupant has the widest possible view, and so that ch'i flows smoothly. If not, occupants may be nervous and jumpy, traits that would affect their personal relationships and their performance at work. If for some reason a bed cannot lie diagonally across from the door, a mirror can be hung to reflect the entrance. The bed should not be placed so that the foot of the bed faces the door (this position is reminiscent of a funeral position, thus bringing bad feng shui into the room).

Kitchen : The most important consideration is the placement of the stove. The stove should be located so that the chef can easily see anyone entering. If a cook is startled by something or someone, a nervous chain reaction is sparked which could include familial discord.

Living room : In general, both the hosts and the guests should face the door. Furniture placement is important in evoking the appropriate feel of the room – e.g., formal or cozy.

Bathroom : The bathroom, a place where water – symbolic of money – enters and leaves, represents occupantsè internal plumbing and finances. Avoid placing the toilet opposite the door or residents may suffer financial misfortune, health disorders, or miscarriages. A bathroom should be bright and open, as opposed to cramped and small.