Fireplaces can make a beautiful addition or focal point to any room. Their comforting appearance, soft glow, and warm heat create a homey atmosphere that invites others to sit down, relax, and enjoy the ambiance.What many homeowners may not know is that fireplaces can also serve another purpose. Fireplaces can influence the Feng Shui of a room, representing the five elements. Even if you’ve never studied Feng Shui before, you may be surprised at how it can influence and impact the design choices in your home.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shuiis the ancient Chinese art of balancing energy. Developed over 3000 years ago, good Feng Shui is said to bring good luck wheras bad Feng Shui can bring misfortune.The practice of Feng Shui involves using the compass to balance the five elements: fire, wood, earth, metal, and water. Placing items representing these elements at different points on the compass – North, South, East, or West – can have different effects. The placement of these elements throughout your home can influence its Feng Shui and bring harmony into your home.
How do fireplaces influence Feng Shui?
A fireplace can represent multiple elements for practitioners of Feng Shui. They are primarily used, however, to represent the element of fire. The fire element is also associated with the colors red, yellow, orange, purple, and pink.According to tradition, the best position for a fireplace is in the South. This placement will bring you luck, fame, and recognition. Other good positions are Southwest (increase in romance) and Northeast (success in education and a clear and calm mind). If your fireplace is not in one of these positions, don’t stress – you can balance the Feng Shuiof a room by adding representations of other elements.
What causes bad Feng Shui?
Bad Feng Shui can be created when the elements are unbalanced. With regard to fireplaces, bad Feng Shui can be caused by a vacant hearthfrom a fireplace that is no longer used. The easiest way to improve the bad Feng Shui of a non-working fireplace is to have it fixed. If your fireplace is working but it not used frequently, considering using design elements such as faux logs or candles to fill the hearth.
Designing with Feng Shui
In traditional Feng Shui, fireplaces send energy out of a home. To combat this, place a mirror over the fireplace to bounce energy back in. If you have décor on your mantle, choose design elements that come in pairs, such as placing a vase on each end of the mantle. In Feng Shui, pairs like this represent love and nurturing.Other themes and motifs to include in a room are circles (which have no beginning and no end and represent the flow of the universe), plants (which attract positive chi and represent prosperity), and aquariums (which are said to attract wealth and abundance).If you want to add a fireplace to increase the Feng Shui of your home and live near Littleton, CO, contact Mountain Man Fireplace and Chimneytoday! We sell and installa wide variety of fireplaces, stoves, and inserts. Our expert staff can help you select the appliance that is right for you style, budget, and the Feng Shui of your home.
