Feng Shui is the ancient art of placement. Basically, if you place your belongings in the correct position in any physical environment, the residents of the area will invite balance and harmony into their lives. Incorporate the philosophy of Feng Shui into your garden.
The art of Feng Shui divides any environment into eight sectors known as trigrams. Each trigram is represented by a compass direction and specific characteristics. Use the trigram as a guide when designing your garden.
Represents: Career
Element: Water
Shapes: Waves and Curves
Color: Blue and Black
Number: 1
Cures: Ponds, waterfalls, fountains, metal accents, silver plants, metal chimes
Represents: Knowledge
Element: Earth
Shapes: Flat, square or rectangular shapes
Color: Turquoise and Beige
Number: 8
Cures: Rocks, stone statues, stone benches, rock garden, ceramics, terra cotta planters or wall decorations
Represents: Family
Element: Wood
Shapes: Columns, tall rectangular shapes
Color: Green, Beige
Number: 3
Cures: Trees, herbs, decks, wood furniture, fountains
Represents: Wealth and Abundance
Element: Wood
Shapes: Columns, tall rectangular shapes
Color: Green and Purple
Number: 4
Cures: Fruit trees, vegetable garden, flowers, decks, and pond
Represents: Fame and Future
Element: Fire
Shapes: Pointed and triangular shapes
Color: Red, Orange, and Blue
Number 9
Cures: Outdoor lights, barbeque, fire pit, triangular decorations or triangular flower shapes, and wood furniture
Represents: Personal Relationships
Element: Earth
Shapes: Low and flat square surfaces
Color: Yellow, Pink, and Beige
Number: 2
Cures: Plants in pairs, two lounge chairs, pink flowers, earth items in multiples of two
Represents: Children and Creativity
Element: Metal
Shapes: Circles and arches
Color: White and Metallic
Number: 7
Cures: Children’s play area, area for your hobby interests, metal decorations, wrought iron furniture, and metal wind chimes
Represents: Travel and Helpful People
Element: Metal
Shapes: Circle and Arches
Color: White, Grey, and Metallic
Number: 6
Cures: Metal Wind chimes, metal archway, wrought iron, and metal decorations
•Pathway should gently meander to the front door.
•Straight pathways create negative chi.
•Soften by using plantings of flowers in colours such as blue, pink, green, white and yellow.
•Front door should not be wider than the pathway leading up to the door.
•Deflect poison arrows also known as sha chi by planting trees or hedges between your home and the poison arrow.
•Poison arrows are only dangerous if visible.
•Traffic in front of the home should be light or steady but not busy.
•Do not place too close to each other and thin them to allow the sun to shine brightly on your property.
•Avoid trees with sharp pointed leaves. Ideal plants and trees have rounded leaves.
•Trees behind a property offer protection.
•Place two trees on either side of the door for protection. The trees should not hide the home from the street but rather as an accent.
•Trees represent wealth, prosperity, and abundance, therefore it is important to keep them healthy and strong.