Feng Shui Rama

Feng Shui Decorating - What Symbolic Items Mean

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement to encourage the flow of "chi" or energy through a person's living or work space. It is used to attract such things as prosperity, love, wealth, good luck, health, a successful career, balance, harmony, contentment, and happy relationships. Wouldn't you like these in your life? Items connected to wood, water, fire, metal, and earth are used for feng shui decorating to attract these benefits to the inhabitant of the space. If budget concerns limit the use of actual objects such as symbols or statues depicting these items, their facsimiles are often used in the form of photographs, posters, sketches, paper sculptures, etc. The lifestyle mainly has to do with the placement of furniture in an arrangement to allow chi to flow through the home or workspace, but decorative items placed in various locations can also be important. When possible, feng shui advocates that the items should be in pairs.According to the ancient Chinese, for example, some Feng Shui symbols are golden pigs (especially in a new home); mandarin ducks (symbols of fidelity); dragons (for protection); bells (placed outside the home); plants (placed indoors for wealth); a metal dish with coins (not to be on display); a dragon and phoenix (side by side for a happy union); three coins tied with red ribbon (for good luck and prosperity); white tigers (because of their rarity); goldfish (a symbol of prosperity); fountains (outside the home to reflect the beauty of nature); turtles (containing the secrets of the universe); fish tanks (people are drawn to them); Fu dogs (for protection); three star gods (for wealth); three-legged toad (a symbol of fortune); two sided cat with a broom ( for abundance and to sweep away problems); indoor water fountain (to attract what you desire); and a crystal lotus for luck.Mirrors are used to attract chi benefits as they can alter the chi flow; bring a sense of rejuvenation; and also bring calm. It is believed however, that placing a mirror across from a bed can bring a third party into the relationship. Also, if you experience pressures at work, bankruptcy, legal or other problems after your fish tank has been in a location for a few months, move it to another spot.Feng Shui decorating is all about being in harmony with nature. According to the Chinese, ying and yang (opposites) are active in our lives every day, and creating a balance between the two is necessary. Decorating can be an important part of this.