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WHAT IS THE FIVE ELEMENTS DIAGRAM?
The five elements diagram is a view of how the elemental energies interact. In it’s balanced state, it is in harmony. Yet each element can strengthen or weaken other elements in a variety of beneficial and detrimental ways. When calculating the energy blueprint of a property, these interactions provide the key to correcting issues within a property.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE ELEMENTS?
In Feng Shui, the Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Here is a brief description of each of these elements, the colours they are represented by and the directions that they represent. It is best to express feng shui elements in a subtle way, with visually pleasing and aesthetically appropriate items that go well with your home or office decor.
WOOD:
In Feng Shui, Wood is represented by the colour green and represents the ‘East’ direction and the ‘Chen’ trigram. It also represents the South-East and the ‘Sun’ trigram.
The element ‘Wood’ is is the originator of the five elemental cycle and is thought of as the beginning of new life, becaasuse it stands for plants. Many peple mistakenly associate the wood element with wood furniture. But in Feng Shui, wooden furniture is considered lifeless and so, it is essential to use ‘live wood’, like a bushy plant or shrub, since living plants recycle the air you breathe and are a natural filter for the air.
Thus, to bring a strong presence of the wood feng shui element when you need it, a live plant or green colour can be used. But the plant should be placed in the right direction and right sector in a house. (This will be dealt with, in another chapter). Colours generally do not have as much effect as the actual element, in Feng Shui.
FIRE:
Fire is represented by the colour ‘red’ and represents the direction – ‘South’ and the ‘Li’ trigram.
Fire stands for the hot summer heat or a blast of heat. A red night lamp or a table lamp with a red shade make excellent ‘fire’ remedies.
EARTH:
Earth is represented by the ‘earth tone’ colours and represents the direction- ‘North-East’ and the ‘Ken’ trigram. It also represents the ‘South-West’ and the ‘Kun’ trigram. Additionally, it represents the ‘centre’ of the trigram. The element ‘Earth’ stands for mountain and earth natural materials.
Granite boulders, beautiful clay statues, terracotta pots filled with potting soil, etc. all are good and beautiful ‘earth’ remedies.
METAL:
Metal can be found in all forms- copper, silver, gold and bronze and is represented by the colours of white, silver or gold and represents the direction- ‘West’ and the ‘Tui’ trigram. It also represents the ‘North-West’ and the ‘Chien’ trigram.
Metal is the most commonly used feng shui remedy because of it’s easy availability and the fact that it can be used in the form of objects of art to beautify the space instead of standing out like obvious Feng Shui objects. It could be in the form of silver objects, bronze plates or a brass pot.
WATER:
Water is represented by the colours blue or black and represents the ‘Kan’ trigram in the North direction. Water gives life and without it, life would not exist. Most flourishing cities are located near water bodies like lakes or rivers. Hence in Feng Shui, Water is a very useful element and is easily available. Hence, residences near water bodies are always sold or bought at a premium.
Water used as a remedy, should be flowing and clear and stagnant water is not suitable. An aquarium or a fountain or a fish pond can be used to bring a strong prescence of the ‘water’ element.
While the elements and their uses have been detailed above, they should not be used haphazardly. Ideally a proper Feng Shui analysis should be done by a qualified practicioner, because if used incorrectly, the elements can cause harm to relationships, health and prosperity.
