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Spring brings thoughts of renewal and growth. For many of us, this also means garden planning. Feng Shui gardens inspire our spirit and connect us
with Mother Earth.
Whether you live in an apartment, condo, or single-dwelling home; whether placing a potted plant on your patio or having landscape professionally done; position everything in its right place
and according to Feng Shui principles. This helps to create a healing, harmonious and natural environment.
Use three basic Feng Shui concepts in your overall design:
- Energy flow (wavy or curved edges are desirable; straight lines strongly focus energy and can be negative).
- Yin and yang balance--yin (dark, soft, passive, shade, muted color) and yang (light, hard, active, bright, pure color).
- Productive and reductive relationships of the five elements: Wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
The ideal setting for any Feng Shui project is similar to a good chair…A high supportive back, two arm rests, and a support for feet/legs (such as an ottoman). The table below shows placement of these symbols:
- Tortoise--the turtle provides stability and can be symbolized by a mound of high plants or trees, a hill, or statue.
- Dragon-this empowers relationships (people energy) and is symbolized the same way as mentioned above.
- Tiger-empowers abundant energy. Symbolize the same way but must be lower (height) than the dragon. Let's keep a healthy perspective in that love is more important than accumulation of wealth and things!
- Phoenix-symbolizes opportunity. This is a small mound, or statue of a bird.
Apply these basic Feng Shui principles to your garden sanctuary:
- Stand in the center of your planned garden space. Envision how you want it to look. Is this your plan for this year, or are you working toward a long-term plan?
- Use a compass to determine the eight directions. Some people are intimidated by this idea. Treat yourself to this knowledge as a compass is a good friend.
- Refer to the guide below to place the corresponding colors, symbols, numbers and elements in their matching areas.
Trigram |
Direction |
Number |
Element |
Color |
Shape |
Symbol |
Kan |
N |
1 |
Water |
Blue, black |
Wavy lines |
Tortoise |
Kun |
SW |
2 |
Earth |
Yellow, tan, brown, orange |
Square |
|
Chen |
E |
3 |
Wood |
Green |
Rectangle |
Dragon |
Hsun |
SE |
4 |
Wood |
Green |
Rectangle |
|
Chien |
NW |
6 |
Metal |
White, gray, metallic |
Round, oval |
|
Tui |
W |
7 |
Metal |
White, gray, metallic |
Round, oval |
Tiger |
Ken |
NE |
8 |
Earth |
Yellow, tan, brown, orange |
Square |
|
Li |
S |
9 |
Fire |
Red, pink, purple |
Triangle, zig zag or star |
Phoenix (bird) |
To summarize:
Curve pathways and soften corners
Let the garden be full of surprises
Maintain a sense of privacy
Keep it simple
Include a water feature (how it flows, where it drains, etc., are very important)
Plants and greenery are a must
Ensure there's a place to sit (preferably for two)
Avoid anything looking too man made
Birds, bees, and butterflies are a must…their pollination keep plants around
Ensure all elements are represented (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood)
Remember to keep your gardening project in perspective (size and effort)…let it be a wonderful expression of you, and a pleasure for others. Enjoy!
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