Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese metaphysical art that governs the arrangement and orientation of space in relation to the patterns of Ying and Yang, and the flow of energy or life force, known as Qi. Its aesthetics combine the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help us improve life by attracting, harnessing and sustaining positive Qi. Let’s take a closer look at some of its basics.

Setting The Record Straight

Feng Shui is not a superstitious or magical belief system, or rather a New Age fad that disconnects us from the reality of our daily life. Nor is it a get-rich-quick method of Asian interior design that guarantees impossible results for mystically rearranging your furniture. It is also not a simple home and garden makeover that promises a quick fix that can be achieved in one afternoon. Most importantly, it is not a luxury that only the rich and famous can afford.

‘Feng’ refers to wind, and ‘Shui’ means water. The Chinese culture associates wind and water with good health, therefore, good Feng Shui is believed to gather good fortune, while bad Feng Shui simply means adverse luck, or misfortune. In addition to being the most basic essentials of human survival, both of these elements flow, move and circulate everywhere on Earth, serving as direct carriers of Qithat fortifies, enhances and harmonises us with our living environment.

Energy's Influence

This very energy supplements us in achieving specific life improvements; both personal and professional. It empowers us with a strong balance of prosperous wealth, good health and thriving respects in life. Aware or not, our personal energy flow does affect the way we think and act, which in turn affects how well we perform and succeed in our personal and professional life.

There are three life-governing factors in the Feng Shui belief system; Heaven Luck, Man Luck and Earth Luck. Heaven Luck is a view that believes in the Supreme Being, the All Mighty beyond mortal that factors our destiny, affecting our success, opportunity, achievement and life experience. Man Luck refers to the ‘preparation meeting opportunity’ – working, efforts, devoting time, belief and spiritual practice, as well as choosing the right networks and acquaintances. It acknowledges the importance and value of hard work, good choices and proper timing. And finally, Earth Luck, that refers to man’s connection with their environment.

The Grand Scheme

The extensive outlook of Feng Shui is determining the directions of any auspicious sector in a desired location using an extremely accurate Chinese compass known as Lou Pan. We could then calculate the life force energy or Qi level and the numerical significance of a person – our birth date, birth hour, Animal Sign and personal Gua number. The favourable and unfavourable effects are taken into consideration when orienting the interior décor of a property, even from the designing and constructing the exterior structures of such properties as well.

As we try to balance and enhance Qi in our home, work space and overall surroundings in an effort to greatly improve our health, energy and life in general, the most significant Feng Shui principle to remember is that positive energy attracts positive energy. If you have positive thoughts, then positive things will happen to you.