Make your environment blossom from a Chinese cultural perspective. Everything you must know to select art according to Feng Shui.
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The ancient Chinese notion of “Feng Shui” (风水), literally meaning wind and water, were elements closely related to good health and good fortune according to the movement of the Tao (or Dao). The practice, now spread in eastern and western countries due to its up-surging popularity, shapes a number of aspects and life-long purposes.
Feng Shui stems from the dualistic concept of the yin and yang, representing stillness and movement and somewhat any antithetical forces in the natural world, that actually give rise to one another through balance.
Taoists understanding of nature and land is that it is filled with energy or qi (chi / 气 / dragon’s cosmic breath). Utterly, Feng Shui’s unique drive is to give your ambience a positive life force energy (chi) and raise its frequency. In opposition, bad Feng Shui can lead to negative energy.
Feng Shui goes hand in hand to art, thanks to its creative energy and progressive nature. Besides from decoration and embellishment, the influence of art in a living space enhances and defines the energy within your house.
The idea is that the Bagua, the Feng Shui map, divides our life into nine areas of ambition, associates it to a direction, such as North or South, a colour; and most importantly five elements. The elements are Fire (linked to red; south; fame and reputation), Earth (linked to green, pink and ocre; Centre; love and marriage, education and harmony), Metal (linked to white, grey; West; creativity and children), Water (linked to black, North, career and prosperity), and finally Wood (linked to brown, East, family, health and wealth). The Ba Gua can be placed on top of a building plan according to location and building direction to show which areas of the building relate to each aspiration.
The best way to evoke the right energies is to adhere to the colours as the representation of the elements. For instance, use fire colours such as red to adjust a dull or stagnant area in your home and make it more vigorous and colourful. Artworks depicting natural environments are also excellent to represent the elements of the Ba Gua. For instance, hang a photograph of a waterfall in your office wall for prosperity and movement.
In architecture and art, Feng Shui has a number of rules to follow to attain the best outcome. In fact, the aim is to combine the Ba Gua elements to features such as shapes, colours, placement of artwork, and sizes to allow the qi to flow. Starting from the size, it is essential to consider the scale of the space where the artwork is being placed as large paintings in small spaces may result in heaviness. At the same time, smaller artworks on large walls may leave a sense of emptiness; of a missing piece in your life.
Along these lines, shapes of the artworks are essential for a positive and dynamic Feng Shui. A collection of curated art that blends mediums, frame colours, sizes and artistic styles, give the environment a vibrant tone and unexpected verve. It is especially a good fit for houserooms where inspiration and creativity are the protagonist.
Feng Shui is very helpful for moods and to keep a positive state of mind. The height to which you hang your artworks have an influence on the qi – placing artworks too low may lower the qi within the space so raise the gaze and raise the qi! This doesn’t count for dining rooms, where artworks can be placed slightly lower than normal height, in order for people to appreciate it from a sat down position as well.
The Feng Shui dream house begins from hallways, where energy enters the environment. In hallways, it is key for light and brightness to reach. Its element is water – so make sure the artworks to place within your hallways are seascape or have blue tones. In alternative, you can choose glass or mirror artworks. These are great spaces to display a collection of art that uses a combination of shapes or lines. Artworks are helpful to stabilise rushing energy in narrow hallways.
In the kitchen, artworks perfect placement is above counters and cupboards, where old and new elements can mingle. For instance, a modern kitchen cabinet is the perfect match to a vintage oil painting or a sculpture on built in shelves. The concept cares that no artworks should be placed near sources of water or fire.
In the bedroom, it is essential to use art that gives a sense of relaxation. The bedroom is the place where you unwind, and to set the seal on your good night sleep, soothing colours and tones are ideal. Violent imagery and paintings may not have a positive effect. The bedroom is also an intimate place, therefore paintings and drawings with lonely-looking people should be bypassed; choose abstract artworks or where couples are portrayed to attract romance. It is also suggested to avoid seascapes above your bed whereas water extinguishes fire.
Feng Shui just like art is very subjective. An artwork can be suitable in an environment and be unbecoming somewhere else. Make sure you are selective and always use the Ba Gua map to choose your artworks. If used correctly, the ancient Chinese practice may really enhance your happiness, health and prosperity. Improve your life and take advantage of the positive benefits of Feng Shui with our tips. Find the ideal artworks to decorate your home on Kooness.