The Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in Chinese culture, and each year is represented by a specific Chinese zodiac animal and element associated with it. For many homeowners, the Chinese New Year is also the time to adjust feng shui cures, to bring in good luck and positive energy to their homes.
Feng shui is an ancient art and science that originated in China over 3,000 years ago. This art of placement understands how objects and spaces around an individual affect one’s life in many ways, and teaches how to harmonize and balance the energies in the home, garden, or office.
One Suntrust homeowner invited Master Ang, a feng shui consultant, to help her determine the flow of her newly acquired condominium unit at Suntrust Asmara. Ring in the Year of the Metal Rat with feng shui tips that are sure to attract good luck and positive energy.
Lucky colors for 2020 are white, blue, green, yellow, and gold. Avoid dark colors.
In feng shui, different colors express each of the five basic elements — wood, earth, metal, fire, and water — and the hues can be used to shift energy. Each year is also marked by a different color, and surrounding yourself with them is thought to usher in prosperity and health. To tap into the good fortune, use these colors to decorate your home or other spaces where you spend a lot of time.
Place Buddha, golden frog and cat figurines to attract positive energy and luck
A Buddha statue or image lends calming yin to complement and balance the active yang. Balanced yin-yang energy in your home is the key to good health and well-being, while the lucky cat is a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and wealth, especially the one holding a round gold coin. The Money Frog, or the Three-Legged Toad, is one of the most prominent symbols of prosperity and monetary gain. Display this in your living room or front garden, or at the main entrance of your home
Remove plastic flowers or plants and avoid thorny plants in the house or garden
In feng shui, plants embody life energy; these can be nourishing and healing for the homeowners’ personal energy. In contrast, dying and dried plants will not bring any auspiciousness into the household. The same goes with fake plants that do not bring any life into the living space. Take note that there are some live plants that do not bring good energy. Plants that are pointy and spiky, like cactus, do not promote good energy and instead drain you. This is because in feng shui, there’s a concept of sha qi, or sharp energy. This is when attacking energy, often from sharp objects, is directed at your body, draining you of your personal energy.
Remove mirrors from the bedroom
A mirror disturbs and stirs up the atmosphere in the room and reduces the feeling of sanctuary you need in your bedroom to care for your health. Instead, move them out of the room and into other spaces in your home. If you can’t move the mirrors out of the room, cover them while you sleep.
Remove shoes from the bedroom
It is recommended not to keep a shoe rack in the bedroom as shoes give off negative energy, which may impact on the room’s feng shui.
Limit pillows in the bed
The abundance of pillows forms a blockade. A bedroom with good feng shui always welcomes you into your own bed and gives you a peace of mind. Keep beds as open and welcoming as possible to maintain good relationships, a busy bed sends the message that you have no room for anyone else to join you.
Declutter
Too much stuff will affect the energy in the house. Lessen things and remove unnecessary stuff. From a feng shui perspective, clutter symbolizes unfinished business and impedes forward progress. Keep your furnishings to only the necessary pieces and keep clutter contained to allow chi to flow freely around the room. Clutter under your bed has its own type of energy that can disturb your sleep as well. This “less is more” approach applies to your closet, too. Make sure your closet is clean and organized, which will helps give you a sense of control over your life.
Water should not be near the fire
Water is one of feng shui’s five elements. It represents luck and wealth. When decorating and organizing a space, it is important to incorporate the water element in appropriate ways and places to promote the optimal flow of chi. Water can also help balance other elements by either weakening them or strengthening them. Never place water fountains or images of water in your bedroom, as water cools fire, which can douse marital passion.
And finally,
Stay positive to attract luck.
Gong xi fa cai!
