by Sandy Grossman

In Chinese, the word feng means air or wind, and the word shui means water. This ancient Chinese art of harnessing the heavens and the earth to bring health, wealth and good fortune uses vibrations of nature, tides and seasonal changes to tune in to the environment.

FS, also known as geomancy, is the art of placement of objects, ranging from the orientation of a building to the furnishing of interiors, to influence the flow of chi, which is the subtle flow of energy through the land. The Chinese believe living in or on a concentration of chi produces clear headedness, abundant wealth, health and happiness. The Chinese see this as an accumulation of luck. Luck for the Chinese is not something that just happens, it is something that can be worked at and consciously increased. Through fs we can map the flows of chi and the enhancement or deflection of chi, which are the main principles of FS.

Since ancient times, the influence of feng shui has mystified many architects, interior designers and developers. Many commercial and residential buildings are designed according to FS principles. One example is the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Singapore. A geomancer, a person who practices FS, was hired to alter the door, fountain and information counter. After these alterations were made, the hotel's business increased. FS principles use design and placement of interior elements, along with detection and use of chi, to attain visual and cosmic harmony.

Benign cosmic breath, sheng chi, is the feeling that everything is right in the world and is considered the good chi. Sha chi is a depleted stagnant cosmic breath that leads to the breakdown of chi and is considered the bad chi. Secret arrows of parallel straight lines, such as a straight road leading directly to the main entry of a home, deplete and disperse chi. Secret arrows can be effectively blocked off in an interior by using such things as a wall, mirror or wind chimes.

Listed below are some FS principles that are used to enhance interiors:

In General

Exposed overhead beams press down on the flow of chi. Bamboo flutes or wind chimes can be placed on the beam to lift or disperse the burden of oppression. Chimes may be used to break up sha chi, the stagnant cosmic breath. Square pillars send out cutting chi in four directions and can be softened or disguised by using a climbing plant, facing the columns with mirrors or turning them into round columns. Furniture should be placed in the chi areas, within the path of fresh air and under sufficient lighting. Plants enliven a space and encourage chi to congregate and meander. Lots of light in a room promotes good energy. The presence of clutter tends to lock up energy and prevent the flow of chi.

Living Room:

Try to avoid L-shaped arrangements of furniture. This arrangement does not allow for the circulation of chi. The best arrangement of furniture is in a circular, square or octagonal grouping in the middle of the floor to allow for the flow of chi. The master's chair should face a large door or window so that he will not be affected by glare. To the geomancer, glare is sha chi. Chairs and sofa backs should not face the doorway.

Dining Room:

If possible, the dining chairs should back in the direction of a wall rather than a doorway. The dining table and chairs should not be positioned under an overhead beam. Round tables allow chi to circulate and the circle symbolizes heavenly blessings. The table should be placed under balanced lighting in the center of the room to benefit from good ventilation.

Study:

The study table should be rectangular and should be placed against a solid wall for backing, with the window preferably at the left, to provide a view and adequate ventilation.

Bedroom:

A chandelier directly over the bed will press down on the occupants. A metal bed frame will create secret arrows aimed at the occupants. A mirror directly reflecting the bed will contribute to disturbing nights. You should not sleep with your head pointed towards the door of the bedroom because this creates a feeling of uneasiness about who might be entering the room. The bed should not be oriented to face a window that admits glare and heat. The dressing table in a bedroom should not be placed opposite a window because glare will be reflected in the glass or mirror.

Bathroom:

Keep the toilet and the door to the room with the toilet closed because the toilet flushes chi away.

Kitchen:

The introduction of green in the kitchen, symbolizing Wood, helps to support both the Fire and Water Elements that make up the kitchen. When the kitchen is part of the dining room, a demarcation should be provided between the two.

Interior designers use pattern, texture, color and light to give space its form and character. Geomancers attempt to balance the elements to give space chi and vitality by focusing on the detection of chi for placement of interior elements and furniture. The principles of feng shui combine these by harnessing the heavens and the earth to bring health, wealth and good fortune.