Feng Shui in China: Understanding Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements

1. What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice and philosophy focused on creating harmony between humans and their environment. In Chinese, “Feng” means wind, representing the flow of air and energy (Qi), while “Shui” means water, symbolizing wealth and the source of life.

Feng Shui suggests that the arrangement of your surroundings can affect health, career, and financial luck. It combines knowledge from Yin-Yang theory, the Five Elements, astronomy, and geography. You’ll see Feng Shui applied in home design, city planning, interior layout, and even cemetery placement.

2. Yin and Yang
At the core of Feng Shui is the balance of Yin and Yang:

• Yin: soft, still, dark, cool, and passive—think night, moon, north, and winter.
• Yang: strong, active, bright, warm, and dynamic—like daytime, sun, south, and summer.

Yin and Yang aren’t opposites but complementary forces that create a dynamic balance. Too much of either can bring disharmony, which Feng Shui aims to correct through thoughtful design.

3. The Five Elements (Wu Xing)
Another key principle is the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—and their relationships of growth and restriction:

Supporting Relationships (Enhancing Energy)

• Wood feeds Fire (wood burns to create fire)
• Fire produces Earth (ash becomes soil)
• Earth generates Metal (minerals form metal)
• Metal creates Water (condensation, metaphorically)
• Water nourishes Wood (water feeds plants)

Controlling Relationships (Balancing Energy)

• Wood controls Earth (tree roots penetrate soil)
• Earth controls Water (soil can redirect water)
• Water controls Fire (water puts out fire)
• Fire controls Metal (fire melts metal)
• Metal controls Wood (metal tools cut wood)

In practice, supporting relationships boost energy, while controlling ones neutralize negative effects.

4. Feng Shui in Daily Life

• Home Placement and Orientation: Facing south (with the back to the north) helps with sunlight and ventilation. Avoid having your home face sharp corners or direct roads (“sha chi”).
• Interior Layout: Beds shouldn’t face doors or mirrors to protect health and sleep. Desks should face directions that enhance focus. Fish tanks or water features are often placed to attract wealth.
• Color and the Five Elements: Each element has corresponding colors. For example, green enhances Wood energy.
• Business Feng Shui: Store orientation, sign colors, and counter placement can follow Feng Shui principles to attract success.

5. Feng Shui Today
In mainland China, Feng Shui is mainly regarded as cultural heritage rather than a religious practice. In Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities, people often still follow Feng Shui rules when decorating or choosing locations.

For foreign visitors, Feng Shui offers a unique cultural experience, commonly featured in garden tours, historic architecture, and cultural classes.