Feng shui for the entrance: a front door that lets luck in
In feng shui, the entrance is the “mouth of qi”. The luck that comes into a home is thought to pass through the front door first. Because you go in and out every day, a few small touches make it a pleasant place.
On this page
1.Five basics of entrance feng shui
- Keep it bright: qi is said to stagnate in a dark entrance. Make the light a little brighter, and replace bulbs as soon as they go.
- Don’t leave shoes out: as a guide, no more pairs on the floor than there are people in the family. Put shoes you aren’t using away in the shoe cupboard.
- Wipe the floor with water: the entrance floor (tataki) collects dirt from outside. A wipe with a damp cloth now and then freshens it up.
- Mind the smell: air and deodorise the shoe cupboard often. A pleasant scent is said to bring good connections.
- Don’t put too much there: keep umbrellas, cardboard boxes and rubbish bags from blocking the way.
2.Things said to be good
- A mirror: makes the entrance look wider and brighter. Not facing the door; hang it on a side wall.
- Plants and flowers: living plants are said to settle qi. Replace them as soon as they wilt. → Feng shui and houseplants
- A doormat: said to shake off bad qi from outside. Wash it often to keep it clean.
- Morijio (salt cones): sometimes placed for purification. → How to make morijio
- Zodiac figures and lucky charms: said to invite good fortune. → Displaying zodiac figures
3.Things best avoided
- Wilted flowers, or dried flowers left out for ages
- Broken umbrellas or shoes you don’t wear
- Cardboard boxes and clutter left “for now”
- A mirror facing the door, or pointed ornaments aimed at people
4.Tips by direction of the entrance
| Entrance faces | Tip |
|---|---|
| North | It gets cold, so add warmth with warm lighting and a mat |
| Northeast (demon gate) | Keep it especially clean; white things and morijio keep it crisp |
| East | Bring life with houseplants and bright colors |
| Southeast | Flowers and pleasant scents for good connections |
| South | The light is strong, so soften it with plants |
| Southwest (rear demon gate) | Cleanliness first; pottery and calm colors |
| West | Yellow objects and flowers for fun |
| Northwest | Keep it refined with quality ornaments and pictures |
The meaning of each direction is covered in more detail in feng shui by direction.
Yorozu Goyomi is preparing a shop with clay zodiac bells and traditional craft ornaments. Until it opens, try choosing one in person at a local shrine or craft shop.
5.FAQ
Is it bad to hang a mirror facing the front door?
In feng shui, a mirror directly facing you as you come in is said to bounce the incoming qi back out, so the common advice is to avoid it. Hang the mirror on the wall to the left or right as you enter instead. Schools disagree on which side is better.
What ornaments suit an entrance?
Seasonal flowers, houseplants, a zodiac animal figure or a tasteful picture are popular. The trick is to keep the number down to what you can keep dust-free.
Now try a reading for yourself
Free readings related to this article.
Read next
