Colors of Feng Shui

Colors of Feng Shui

It is thought that the Ba Gua can be used as a guide to color balancing your home or dress. Master Lin Yun and Sarah Rossbach have a co-operative text out called Living Color that addresses this aspect of Feng Shui. The concept is really ages old. The previous section on the Ba Gua has a diagram that has the eight basic directions. Each direction has a color associated with it, as well as element. The theory is that the colors themselves can act as the elements. Thus if you have an area in your home that is strong in the element Wood, it may need a balancing element of Metal (Metal chops down Wood). If you have already decided that you like the furnishings in your home and the thought of a wrought iron bench doesn't sit well with you what can you do? Well, the element of Metal also has the color white as one of its aspects. Your overly Wood space could use something as simple as a white leather sofa with a rounded shape. The round shape from the form school is a source of Metal, and the color is also.

Red is auspicious. In art is symbolizes good fortune, fire, strength, and fame. A Chinese bride will wear a scarlet chi pao, newborns have red egg parties for their one month celebration, and Chinese New Year's gifts are wrapped in red envelopes.

According to Lin Yun's Living Color , red is like "a red sun rising from the East." When it first emerges over the horizon, it is red hot. He likens red to the source of energy of the universe. Red is a very powerful color. It is ( I ) an energy source; (2) a stimulator; and (3) a way of expelling bad ch'i. Some followers of Lin Yun wear red ribbons or strings to channel and retain their ch'i. (46)

Purple is also an auspicious color. It is the color of high nobility and the powerful.

Yellow is the color of the earth. The emperor of China was seen as the "son of heaven" and the ruler of the earth. It is the color of gold as well. For this reason the emperor wore imperial yellow. Yellow is the traditional color that a geomancer will wear to perform his duties.

Green represents rebirth. A color of the wood element, green also symbolizes spring growth.

Blue is the color of the literati. In ancient times the scholars would be dressed in blue robes to show their rank in society.

Black is the color of mystery and the north. Black is a deep thought provoking color. It contains all other colors and thus represents their potential rebirth once winter is over.

Brown reminds us of fall. Thus it can be a symbol of wood, like green.

Orange is both red and yellow. So it is seen as a happy and powerful color.

Pink signifies love and romance.

Rossbach, Sarah and Yun, Master Lin. Living Color: Master Lin Yun's Guide to Feng Shui and the Art of Color.