The colour world according to Feng Shui

(Inspired by Reyneri di Lagnasco, C.A., 1999, Feng Shui, Éditions de Vecchi, Paris, pp. 142-143).

According to Feng Shui, colours are a great source of help in improving one's own life as they are forms of energy whose vibrations can substantially modify one's perception of space. Thus, painting a room in blue will make it appear colder, while painting the same room in yellow will create an illusion of warmth.

Colours are also used to increase whatever effect one looks for in a room. Hence, in choosing colours, one must consider the room's use, its furnishings and its size. Depending on the room's ultimate use, one may choose dominant colours and complement them with others.

Colours and their characteristics

A list of colours and of their characteristics will help us in orienting choices aimed at achieving chromatic effects.

White: The Chinese consider it the colour of mourning. Thus, it is not widely used. Occidentals, on the other hand, see it as the colour of purity, innocence, candour and openness. Using too much white in ones home could indicate a lack of clarity in one's opinions and indicate excessive openness to different possibilities.

Blue: It represents spirituality, the ability to look within oneself, consideration and care; it is associated with consistency and loyalty. In business, it stands for reliability and consistency. Blue is related to water.

Grey: Grey days complicate life. Grey is associated with fear and depression. Also related to water, it can be used with moderation around the main door.

Black: A powerful colour, black represents money and confers power. But it must be used in moderation. Because it absorbs a lot of light, it is used to balance brighter colours rather than on its own.

Green: It is used as equilibrium in the human organism and represents balance and peace. It is the colour of growth, one that promotes healing and tranquillity. Used to excess, it can inhibit development inasmuch as the atmosphere of extreme relaxation it creates may not be conducive to the resolution of problems. Green is related to wood.

Yellow: It is related to Earth and as such is a colour of blending which stimulates mental energy and represents wisdom. In China, it once was the colour reserved for the Emperor and his descendants because it was seen as a colour symbolizing control. Among other things, yellow is associated with patience and tolerance.

Orange: A creative colour, it stands for joy, solidarity, mental and physical energy. Depending on tones, it is related to fire or Earth.

Chestnut: It is derived from Earth and represents predictability, stability, practicality and roots.

Purple: The Chinese consider purple even more favourable than red. It is the colour of philosophers, dreamers, writers and visionaries, and is associated with high ideals, honesty, truth and love.

Pink: It stands for love and feelings and is credited with therapeutic powers against rage. It is said to quickly calm the anger of those who visualize it. It is a salutary colour that reminds us of joy, happiness and romantic love. It is related to fire or Earth, depending on its intensity.

Red: It is the colour of life, growth, happiness, joy, passion and virtue. It radiates energy on a wide range and stands for passionate love. Chinese wives dress in red because red brings them happiness and love. Red is related to fire.

Inspired by Reyneri di Lagnasco, C.A., 1999, Feng Shui, Éditions de Vecchi, 159 p.

Black in Feng Shui

In Feng Shui, the colour black is related to the water element: water represents everything that has a fluid or liquid form; it also symbolizes night and winter.

A powerful colour, black represents money and enhances strength and authority; it is associated with the career aspect of our lives.

As you may know, at the root of Feng Shui are two opposing yet complementary forces, one positive and one negative;  it is these opposing forces (sometimes referred to as Yin and Yang) that create energy. Similarly, there are positive and negative aspects of every colour.

Yin is black;  the words “night, winter, cold, and moon” are all related to YIN and easily associated with the colour black. Black absorbs the most light of all colours and can be used to balance the extreme effect of vivid colours. If you are drawn to black, and to create more positive energy, it is better to use black in combination with other colours.               

The negative aspects of black include common cultural associations with death or darkness; however, the dramatic effect we would pursue for design purposes should emphasize the positive side of black, and more specifically, its charm, intrigue and strength.

C.A. Reyneri di Lagnasco ; Feng Shui, Comment créer un environnement sain et serein dans votre maison ; Éditions de Vecchi ; 1999 ; 159 pages.

Gill Hale ; Le grand livre du Feng Shui ; Éditions Sélection Champagne ; 1999 ; 256 pages.

The use of wood in Feng Shui

Wood is an element that of the earth and akin to mankind, in the sense that it grows from the ground towards the sky, vertically, as man does. Wood represents growth and development;  as does a mature tree;  it is the essence of strength, energy and vitality. Its capabilities are even more encompassing, such as a wood burning fire which creates heat and comfort.

In Feng Shui wood also represents the passing of time and seasons, and ultimately, regeneration. Trees survive the cycle of the seasons, and are a yearly tribute to the similar, on-going cycle of life seen as birth, growth, aging and renewal.

In a home, wood is partner to its occupants; it ages, reacts and transforms according to its conditions, along with its owners. It shows this process in a creaking wooden floor, or a door swollen from humidity, or cracked from a dry winter.

Wood, like other Feng Shui elements, has both a positive and negative side. Its positive side symbolizes a walking cane while its negative interpretation suggests a spear.

The utilization of wood in Feng Shui is recommended both for the interior and the exterior. Its use in the latter creates the protective enclosure or “bark” as well as a supportive structure for one's home.

To create balance when decorating, it is recommended that wood materials (rough, warm and natural) be complemented with colder, smoother materials such as stone, glass or ceramic.

C.A. Reyneri di Lagnasco ; Feng Shui ; Éditions de Vecchi S.A. ; 1999, 159 pages.

Gill Hale ; Le grand livre du Feng Shui ; Sélection Champagne ; 1999, 256 pages.