Feng shui by the five elements: colors and directions that suit your element
Feng shui is built on yin-yang and the five elements. Its basic aim is to balance the five energies of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, and colors, directions and objects are all chosen by element too. This article shows how to find your own element and choose the colors and directions that support it. For what feng shui itself means and where it comes from, see What is feng shui?
On this page
1.Elements, directions, colors and materials
| Element | Direction | Colors | Shape | Materials and objects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | East, southeast | Green, blue | Tall and narrow | Houseplants, wooden furniture, flowers |
| Fire | South | Red, purple, orange | Triangles, points | Lights, candles, star-shaped objects |
| Earth | Center, northeast, southwest | Yellow, brown, beige | Squares, flat shapes | Pottery, ceramics, stones |
| Metal | West, northwest | White, gold, silver | Circles | Metal objects, clocks, mirrors |
| Water | North | Black, navy | Waves, free forms | Glass, aquariums, pictures of water |
The elements have a generating relationship (Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood) and a controlling one (Wood → Earth → Water → Fire → Metal → Wood). See the generating and controlling cycles for more.
2.Two ways to find your element
- From your Nine Star Ki main star: set by your birth year (with the year changing at Risshun). Look it up with the Nine Star Ki reading.
- From your Four Pillars day stem: the stem of your day of birth, said to stand for you yourself. Look it up with the birth chart reading (Japanese).
3.Chart: the element that supports each main star
The element that produces yours (the one before it in the generating cycle) is said to be an energy that helps you. A good approach is to combine the colors of your own element with those of the element that supports it.
| Main star | Your element | Supporting element | Suggested colors | Things to bring in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One White Water | Water | Metal | White, silver, navy | A glass vase, metal objects |
| Two Black Earth | Earth | Fire | Yellow, brown, red | Pottery, warm lighting |
| Three Jade Wood | Wood | Water | Blue, green, navy | Houseplants, a picture of water |
| Four Green Wood | Wood | Water | Green, blue, black | Flowers, glassware |
| Five Yellow Earth | Earth | Fire | Yellow, beige, purple | Ceramics, candles |
| Six White Metal | Metal | Earth | White, gold, beige | A clock, pottery |
| Seven Red Metal | Metal | Earth | White, gold, yellow | A round mirror, ceramics |
| Eight White Earth | Earth | Fire | Yellow, brown, red | A stone ornament, lights |
| Nine Purple Fire | Fire | Wood | Red, purple, green | Plants, candles |
If you are using your day stem, Kinoe and Kinoto are Wood, Hinoe and Hinoto Fire, Tsuchinoe and Tsuchinoto Earth, Kanoe and Kanoto Metal, and Mizunoe and Mizunoto Water. Look at the row for “your element” in the table.
4.Balancing the elements in a room
- Notice the lean: a room of nothing but white and metal leans towards Metal. Add plants (Wood) and pottery (Earth) so all five energies are present.
- Line up the generating cycle: putting a light (Fire) beside a houseplant (Wood), and pottery (Earth) near that, is said to let the energy flow in order.
- Soften spots where elements clash: for example, put something green (Wood) between the stove (Fire) and the sink (Water). → Feng shui for kitchens and bathrooms
5.Using the directions
The meaning and area of luck of each direction are in feng shui by direction, and the meaning of each color in feng shui colors. Which way to go when you move house or travel is usually judged by Nine Star Ki’s lucky directions; see also lucky-direction trips in Nine Star Ki.
Directions and colors are best enjoyed as a nudge to lift your mood. Put first what feels comfortable to you and your family.
6.FAQ
My main star and day stem give different elements. Which should I use?
The main star, set by your birth year, is often used for family matters and the year’s directions; the day stem, set by your day of birth, for your own nature. If you are unsure, one approach is to use the main star for arranging rooms, and the day stem for the colors and accessories you wear.
Should I never use the colors of an element that clashes with mine?
Not at all. Feng shui sometimes uses a little of a controlling color to calm an energy that has grown too strong. What matters is that the room as a whole is not lopsided.
Now try a reading for yourself
Free readings related to this article.
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