by Nancy Nashed

Created on: January 30, 2009   Last Updated: April 16, 2011

How to Use the Color in Feng Shui

Color is a basic tool in Feng Shui because colors directly relate with the elemental energies used in Feng Shui to balance a space. In order to effectively, and understandingly utilize color within your environment, there needs to be an understanding of how colors directly correspond to the cycle of life found in nature. In Feng Shui this cycle is called the 5 elements. Along with Yin Yang, the Five elements form the basis of Feng Shui.

Understanding the elemental cycle of nature.

The five elements work together and within your environment to create a feeling of balance and harmony. The 5 element cycle is the cycle of nature that can be perceived in all processes of life.

The Generating Cycle- the cycle of Life

Based on Five Element Theory, each elemental force generates or creates the next element in a creative sequence.

• Water generates wood. Rain nourishes a tree.
• Wood generates fire. Burning wood generates fire.
• Fire generates earth. Ash is created from the fire.
• Earth generates metal. Metal is mined from the earth.
• Metal generates water. Water condenses on metal

The Controlling cycle- How the Elements Control Each Other

The cycle works inversely as well, so any element can be diluted with it's controlling or opposite energy. Fire controls metal which controls wood which controls earth which controls water which in turn controls fire. One energy influences another in a controlling manner, rather than one element destroying another.

• A metal axe can be used to chop down a tree, so metal destroys wood.
• A tree extracts water and minerals from the earth to grow, so wood destroys earth.
• When a river overflows, (water) you use bags of sand (earth) to control flooding.
• You can extinguish fire with water.
• Lastly, only fire can melt metal.

Creating an energy shift with color

Shifting the energy in a space with color is effective and fun, and fairly simple. Each color is an expression of one of the Five Feng Shui Elements:

• In the South, support the energy with Fire-red, bright orange
• In the Center, support the energy with Earth-clay, browns beige and yellow
• In the West, support the energy with Metal- white, metallic, and pink
• In the North, support the energy with Water- blues and black
• In the East, support the energy with Wood-light and dark green

What is the significance

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