Basic principles in Feng Shui

Balance of energies by applying the Yin Yang principle

When we start the study of the Feng Shui discipline we need to have clearly in mind the guidelines this study is conducted by. Most masters agree that the following principles are the background for the study and application of Feng Shui in our life.

1. Yin and Yang
2. The five elements
3. The eight trigrams
4. He Tu, Luo Shu
5. Xian Tian and Hou Tian Ba Gua

Of course there are other key-concepts as well and other practitioners could complete this list. Generally, we rely on those in order to remedy the problems and align the energies in the environment where we live in order to obtain maximum benefits, as well as the deeper carrying out of the study.

Yin-Yang principle

Taiji Symbol

Concept of Yin and Yang is the first principle in Feng Shui. Originally, yin and yang were definining the two parts of a hill - the one in shadow (yin) and the one enlightened by the sun (yang). Much later yin and yang managed to represent the two primary aspects of the qi force. Yin has been described as being the female principle of the nature, thus seen as passive and weak. Yang has been classified as the male principle of the nature and has been seen as active and strong.

Yin
Is represented by the stable matter which is the earth. Yin contracts and condenses itself. It represents the passive principle of the nature, expressed by darkness, coolness and humidity. At a human level it symbolizes the feminity and inertia.

Other Yin features: black, winter, cold, north, night, moon, silence, interiorization, water, imagination, intuititon, creativity, back, inactivity, rest, sadness, weakness, blue, green.

Yang
Yang is the expression of the heavenly power. Yang has the quality to expand. It represents the active principles in nature, expressed by light, heat and dryness. At human level yang represents masculinity and the positive part of emotions.

Other yang features: white, summer, day, south, light of the sun, movement, exteriorization, face, summit, active, firm, analytical, exuberance, aggression, red, yellow.

These features are not exhaustive. With a minimal effort, carefully looking around, you can notice other features which belong either to the Yin side or to the Yang side of life. The energy is in a continuous flow and transformation, and during this process it gets Yin or Yang features, depending on the conditions it manifests.

When we analyze the energies in the environment it is recommended to take into account that a certain thing is Yin compared to another thing which is Yang and viceversa. The same principle applies to persons and the interactions among them. The knowledge of the Yin Yang principle and its acknowledge in nature and in the human interactions will bring us a better understanding of life and possibilities we have to create a harmonious atmosphere both outside and inside us.

The Taiji symbol
This symbol represents the eternal interaction between Yin and Yang. Just as the two faces of a coin, Yin and Yang can not be separated. The symbol also shows that nothing is totally Yin or totally Yang. Each thing contains its opposite which at the beginning appears as a point, a potential of the action or state, which grows with time.

Seen as a whole, Yin and Yang represent the law of nature - continuous change.

What is the relationship of Yin and Yang with Feng Shui?
This is a question you will be able to answer yourselves, after you have understood the features of the two faces of the energy.

If there is no balance of the two forces in the environment where we live, unwanted effects can occur, on emotional and physical plan. People complain about tiredness, depression and lack of motivation and spend a lot of time in dark places. Other persons, who often suffer of headaches, are exposed to intense sun, living in too enlightened houses.

The correction of those unbalances is based on our capacity to understand very well the features of the two forces. If there is too much darkness in a room, add the light. If the room is too exposed to sunlight, cover the windows by drawing the curtains. If the Yin energy manifests through the heavy air, open the window and let the Yang energy of the wind to bring fresh air.

Each thing and person, each human relationship, in a word anything, has Yin and Yang features, in different degrees. The harmonization of the energies is based on this balance that we obtain making the appropriate changes.

It is easy to obtain a harmonious environment. The only thing we are requested is to start making the necessary changes, step by step…