Feng Shui is originated from China during the Han Dynasty. The Chinese have been practicing Feng Shui for thousands of years. Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophy about the relationship between humans and their environment. Feng Shui is about how everything is connected and how it affects your well-being. Based on the laws of nature, Feng Shui offer us a way of understanding why certain things occur and how to create an environment which allows us to live harmoniously. Feng Shui is based on the Taoist philosophies of nature and they include the principles of Yin & Yang, the Five Elements, and the Trigrams based on I-Ching. While the principles of Feng Shui have remained constant throughout the years the practice has changed over time, as we must adapt to modern living. Today, Feng Shui is a multi-disciplinary study encompassing astrology, geography, landscaping, architecture, urban planning and many others.
Feng Shui is a system of creating positive 'Chi' so that it can bring about happiness, health, wealth, love and abundance. This philosophy is based on the principles of yin & yang and the five elements. Chi is the life force in all things of the universe, without which nothing would exist. In order to live well, we need to harness this force and encourage a healthy flow of Chi energy into our homes and lives.
Yin and yang are relative terms used to compare everything in the universe. Everything in the world can be seen in terms of two kinds of energy: Yin - passive, female, moon, dark, cold, soft, weak, low. Yang - active, male, sun, light, hot, hard, strong, high.
Everything is either yin or yang. In order to achieve harmony in Feng Shui, the idea is to seek a state of balance in the way we live.
Each of the five elements describes a certain kind of chi energy that can be related to a particular direction, which is linked with seasons, and times of the day. The five elements are also associated with shapes, colors and materials in their pure form. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
The flow of Chi from one entity to another is the basis of Feng Shui. Feng Shui works on principles designed to create a positive, healthy flow of Chi through all spaces, which affects every aspect of our lives.
Feng Shui is designed to enhance not only your home and environment, but also your life. Once you begin to change your environment, your energy levels, your outlook on life and your sense of well being will also change. By arranging any space that promotes positive flow of Chi, one can enhance most areas in their life.
Sylvia Lu is a Feng Shui consultant / interior designer, of the Feng Shui Institute in Miami, advising individuals and forward-thinking organizations and companies. Sylvia is of Chinese origin, so the understanding of Feng Shui is part of her culture and heritage, as well as an integral part of her life. Sylvia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Textiles from the University of Maryland and studied interior design at Chelsea College
of Art & Design, at The London Institute in England.
feng shui
by Sylvia Lu