The color 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, colors 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.

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

Colors and their characteristics

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

White: The Chinese consider it the color of mourning. Thus, it is not widely used. Westerners, on the other hand, see it as the color of purity, innocence, candor 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.

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

Black: A powerful color, 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 colors rather than on its own.

Green: It is used as equilibrium; it represents balance and peace. It is the color of growth, one that promotes healing and tranquillity. Used in excess, it can inhibit productivity. Because of the extreme relaxation green creates it may not be conducive to the resolution of problems. Green is related to wood.

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

Orange: A creative color, 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 color 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 color that reminds us of joy, happiness and romantic love. It is related to fire or Earth, depending on its intensity.

Red: It is the color 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 color black is related to water: water represents everything that has a fluid or liquid form; it also symbolizes night and winter.

A powerful color, 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 color.

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

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 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.