Feng shui (traditional Chinese: 風水; simplified Chinese: 风水; pinyin: fēng shuǐ; pronounced /ˈfəŋˌʃueɪ/ foong-shoy in Chinese Mandarin, "fheng-schway" in American English) is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu (traditional Chinese: 堪輿; simplified Chinese: 堪舆; pinyin: kānyú; literally: Tao of heaven and earth).

The words feng shui literally translate as "wind-water" in English. This is a cultural shorthand taken from the following passage of the Zhangshu (Book of Burial) by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty:

Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.

Traditional Feng Shui practice always requires an extremely accurate Chinese compass, or Luo Pan, in order to determine the directions in finding any auspicious sector in a desired location.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Bring in Positive Energy With Feng Shui Design

Feng Shui design appeared on the home interior design scene decades ago, but it has been around for over 3,500 years, getting its start in ancient China. It involves incorporating certain beliefs into the design of your home.

Feng Shui design focuses on the five elements of the universe's energy: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. By properly incorporating these energies into your home design, you create a balance that promotes wealth, health and inner peace.

When determining a Feng Shui design, the key is finding your chi, or energy. In home interior design, certain things can affect the flow of chi, such as the placement of furniture or the positioning of an object. The placement of items should encourage a flow from room to room, not stifle or block it.

To bring positive chi into your home, consider a Feng Shui design that incorporates fresh flowers or live plants, mirrors, water fountains, an aquarium and artwork. Keep in mind the elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water and try to incorporate one or more of them into a room. A room's color scheme is also important. Try to create a balance, a Yin and Yang if you will. Yin colors are blue, black, purple, white, pink and green, while Yang colors are yellow, orange, tan, brown, beige, red, mauve, maroon, lavender and gold.

With Feng Shui design, every object in your home serves a purpose. So organization is key. The Frugal Home Design website has a number of storage items and decorative organizers that can help organize your belongings to improve your home's chi or energy. Removing clutter, which can stifle the flow of chi is also important. Be sure to throw out any chipped dishes, worn items, or burned out light bulbs because they only drain your home's energy.

In Feng Shui, a bagua is used to determine what items should be placed in which room. Placement is an important aspect of Feng Shui design. For instance, mirrors should be placed in a small foyer or hallway to allow for better energy flow, but never in a bedroom because the belief is they hinder restful sleep. Televisions and computers should be enclosed in cabinets to minimize their influence on what is natural in our lives. Sofas and chairs should be angled so they're not directly facing toward the television. In addition, place chairs and sofas in groups to enhance conversation, rather than isolation.

Certain features in a home can also affect energy flow, so it's important to focus your Feng Shui design on these areas as well. If you have a long, narrow hallway in your home, place plants or large pictures at the end of it so energy or chi flows more naturally, rather than in a straight line. Corners of rooms can often be dark and empty, something that's not good for energy flow. Use plants, candles or small lamps to remedy this situation.

When working on creating a Feng Shui design, choose colors that are balanced, remove clutter and introduce items that are fresh and vibrant, reflect the elements of the universe and enhance energy life. By incorporating Feng Shui design into your life, you truly turn a house into a home.



Autor: Sue E Krippner

Sue Krippner is a Free Lance Artist, Home Staging and Redesign Professional. She is attracted to "all things beautiful, especially as it relates to interior decorating and design.
Find out more about Feng Shui Design and visit http://frugalhomedesign.com to see samples of her art and find plenty of professional design, tips hints and secrets to help facilitate your personal interior design goals with money saving frugal flair!


Added: April 3, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

1 Comment:

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