Feng Shui and Water Features
Feng Shui and Water Features
Feng Shui (translated literally means wind and water), datingback over 5000 years, is the ancient Chinese art of positioningobjects for harmony and balance in the environment. Water playsan important part in this traditional belief. Water is equatedwith the flow of Chi which is the energy or life force of theuniverse, believed to be present in all living things. Where Chiflows freely and accumulates there is health, abundance andprosperity. Where Chi stagnates there is illness and decay.
The positive flow of Chi is vital to a garden and its movementthroughout should be free and uninhibited. Barriers to Chi mustbe removed and in cases where this is impracticable Feng Shuicures can be employed to allow for the smooth flow if Chi. Onthe flip side Chi flowing too fast through a garden is just asunsettling.
Water can be used to slow down or speed up the flow of thispowerful life force and can be introduced to your garden via apond, fountain, water feature or waterfall.
There are a few simple principles to follow when establishing awater feature in your garden:
• The best position for a water feature is in the north, east orsouth east corners of the garden. This is likely to bring wealthand prosperity.
• The water should flow toward the house facing the mainentrance or a large window to invite Chi into your home. This isnot necessary where a water feature has an even flow of waterover all sides. The direction of the water flow should neverflow away from you home.
• Where a waterfall is used the flow of water must beconsidered. To strong will be destructive to the Chi and toogentle will do nothing.
• A water feature must be proportionate to the garden. Too smallwill symbolize a lack of abundance and too large may be toopowerful for your home.
• Remove clutter such as debris and dead plants / foliage fromyour garden. This will inhibit the flow of Chi.
• It is important to maintain your water feature properly,avoiding build ups of algae, dead leaf matter and unsightlyslime. Water needs to remain moving, clean and fresh to harnessthe Chi.
• Check your feature regularly for cracks and leaks which allowthe Chi to escape.
• Introduce goldfish to your water feature to encourage wealth.
• Where water is lost through evaporation remember to top upyour water feature to replenish the Chi.
Adding a water feature to your garden need not be expensive ordifficult. A simple ready made water feature can be installed inpreference to a grand, expensive water feature. Far better tohave a simple feature that is easy to maintain rather than ahuge pond and waterfall set-up that may prove time too consumingfor today's busy person.
Whether you believe Feng Shui is nonsense, superstitious beliefor not there are few gardens that will not benefit from theapplication of its principles both practically andaesthetically. Apply these principles to your garden and you maysoon reap the rewards!
Feng Shui (translated literally means wind and water), datingback over 5000 years, is the ancient Chinese art of positioningobjects for harmony and balance in the environment. Water playsan important part in this traditional belief. Water is equatedwith the flow of Chi which is the energy or life force of theuniverse, believed to be present in all living things. Where Chiflows freely and accumulates there is health, abundance andprosperity. Where Chi stagnates there is illness and decay.
The positive flow of Chi is vital to a garden and its movementthroughout should be free and uninhibited. Barriers to Chi mustbe removed and in cases where this is impracticable Feng Shuicures can be employed to allow for the smooth flow if Chi. Onthe flip side Chi flowing too fast through a garden is just asunsettling.
Water can be used to slow down or speed up the flow of thispowerful life force and can be introduced to your garden via apond, fountain, water feature or waterfall.
There are a few simple principles to follow when establishing awater feature in your garden:
• The best position for a water feature is in the north, east orsouth east corners of the garden. This is likely to bring wealthand prosperity.
• The water should flow toward the house facing the mainentrance or a large window to invite Chi into your home. This isnot necessary where a water feature has an even flow of waterover all sides. The direction of the water flow should neverflow away from you home.
• Where a waterfall is used the flow of water must beconsidered. To strong will be destructive to the Chi and toogentle will do nothing.
• A water feature must be proportionate to the garden. Too smallwill symbolize a lack of abundance and too large may be toopowerful for your home.
• Remove clutter such as debris and dead plants / foliage fromyour garden. This will inhibit the flow of Chi.
• It is important to maintain your water feature properly,avoiding build ups of algae, dead leaf matter and unsightlyslime. Water needs to remain moving, clean and fresh to harnessthe Chi.
• Check your feature regularly for cracks and leaks which allowthe Chi to escape.
• Introduce goldfish to your water feature to encourage wealth.
• Where water is lost through evaporation remember to top upyour water feature to replenish the Chi.
Adding a water feature to your garden need not be expensive ordifficult. A simple ready made water feature can be installed inpreference to a grand, expensive water feature. Far better tohave a simple feature that is easy to maintain rather than ahuge pond and waterfall set-up that may prove time too consumingfor today's busy person.
Whether you believe Feng Shui is nonsense, superstitious beliefor not there are few gardens that will not benefit from theapplication of its principles both practically andaesthetically. Apply these principles to your garden and you maysoon reap the rewards!