According to the ancient practice of Feng Shui, there is profound influence from the five elements — Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal — on the energies that shape our living spaces and, consequently, our lives.
These elemental forces are deeply rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy and offer a holistic perspective on how to harmonize our surroundings and enhance our well-being.
An understanding of these elements allows you to harness them to transform your living spaces into balanced sanctuaries that resonate with your true self.
Feng Shui Elements and Chi
The elements used in Feng Shui are actually representations of the five energies, or Chi, present in nature and in our physical bodies.
Feng Shui and Acupuncture are both based on the same system of understanding these energies and how they create balance and harmony. The elements of water, wood, fire, metal and earth are physical substances from the natural world whose properties most resemble the five types of Chi.
By using these elements in our homes, we are influencing the balance and flow of Chi in our space. Read about the Bagua Map to discover where these elements should be in your home.
When choosing how to bring the elements into your space, follow this order:
- Natural element Itself – the first choice is to have the actual element in your space, as you are able to. The exception is fire, wherein most cases it would be unsafe to use the actual element, so ‘color’ or ‘artwork’ are used
- Color of the element – this won’t be as strong as the element itself but can still be used in its place
- Artwork representing the element – this is the least strong way to bring the element into your space, but still works when using the color or element itself will not
The Five Feng Shui Elements
Water Element
Chi Properties: Liberal, abundant, runs downward
Message: Abundance, prosperity, movement, cleansing, purifying, emotions
Color: Black and dark blues
Shape: Wavy and curvy patterns
Material: Water in fountains, aquariums and pools
Associated Direction: North
Tips for using the water element:
- The best type of fountain to use would be one made of metal, glass or plastic. When adding water in your space it should always be open to the air and moving (no stagnant, still water that is closed into a container)
- If the energy is too high in a space, you can add water to bring it down
- Don’t use too much blue in the bathroom as this can cause a saturation of water and loss in finances
Wood Element
Chi Properties: grows upwards, enduring, raises/retains/grounds chi
Message: New life, growth, expansion, creativity and health
Color: Green
Shape: Rectangle, columns, vertical or horizontal patterns
Material: Trees, plants and fresh flowers
Associated Direction: East and Southeast
Tips for using the wood element:
- The wood needs to be living. Furniture, floors and decor made from wood don’t bring the wood energy to your home since they are not living wood
- If the energy of a space is too low, adding wood will raise it up
- Avoid plants with pointy edges (i.e. cactus) as the sharp edges can disrupt the chi
Fire Element
Chi Properties: Spreads the energy in all directions, radiant and hot
Message: Action, passion, fame, attraction, inspiration, sharing your light, power
Color: Reds, purples, oranges, pinks
Shape: Triangles, pyramids
Material: Candles (where safe to burn), the color red, bright natural sunlight, artwork of the sun, lamps
Associated Direction: South
Tips for using the fire element:
- Fire is the only element where the color is as strong as the natural element
- Too much fire element in a space can make people feel anxious or cause burnout
- Don’t use too much red in the bedroom, it can disrupt rest
- Don’t use too much red in the kitchen, the stove creates a lot of fire already
- Don’t use too much red in the dining room, it may increase the appetite and cause overeating
Earth Element
Chi Properties: Attracts, concentrates, stable
Message: Stability, security, grounding
Color: Browns, beiges, yellows
Shape: Square
Material: Large furnishings, sand, ceramics, crystals, rocks, marble, granite
Associated Direction: Southwest, Northeast, Center
Tips for using the earth element:
- Earth can make you feel more grounded if you are feeling scattered
- Too much earth can make you feel stuck
- Earth colors are great for the bathroom to balance the water energy
Metal Element
Chi Properties: pierces inward, sharp, pointing
Message: Focus, clarity, manifesting
Color: White, gray, pastels, metallic colors
Shape: Oval, arches
Material: Wrought iron, steel, copper, bronze, brass, any metal object
Associated Direction: West and Northwest
Tips for using the metal element:
- If you are overly focused or tend to overanalyze, you may have too much metal in your space
- Bring metal into your space with planters, pendulum clocks, metal artwork, metal statues
- Large metal appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer) are considered the metal element in your space
Summary & Next Steps
In the world of Feng Shui, the wisdom of the five elements reveals itself as a transformative and holistic approach to enhancing our lives.
These elements are not just a reflection of the natural world and the energies in it, but also a mirror of our inner selves. By integrating the knowledge of these elements into your living spaces, you create an environment that nurtures your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Discovering your own personal Feng Shui element deepens your ability to embrace the interplay of these forces, to find balance, harmony, and a deeper connection to the energies that surround you.
The journey through understanding and applying Feng Shui’s five elements is an ongoing one, inviting you to continually explore, adapt, and refine your environments to support your unique aspirations and life’s ever-evolving chapters.
So, let the wisdom of these Feng Shui elements be your guide as you navigate the path to a more harmonious and enriched existence, starting with your home!
