The 5 elements of nature—water, wood, fire, earth and metal—bring different energies into your living or work space. Decorate according to these properties, and you’ll enhance the Feng Shui flow.
What are the 5 Elements of Feng Shui?
In Feng Shui, just like in astrology, the “elements” of nature are an essential part of the practice. Feng Shui uses them to decode the energy in your home. In astrology, we use nature’s elements to understand people’s temperaments.
Western astrology divides the zodiac sign into four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Feng Shui, like Chinese astrology, distinguishes five elements: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Various regions of the Feng Shui bagua map correspond with each element.
Each element is associated with specific colors, shapes, and energy. Adding shapes, colors, and energy to the regions of a home or room with these elements can enhance harmony and improve the flow of energy.
Parents & Offsprings: The 5-Element Cycle of Life
Each element has an element that creates it (the “parent”) and an element that is created by it (the “offspring”). For example, the fire element is created by wood (parent). Fire creates earth (offspring). Water destroys fire.
| Parent | Nourishes & Creates (Offspring) | Destroys & Controls |
| Water | Wood | Fire |
| Wood | Fire | Earth |
| Fire | Earth | Metal |
| Earth | Metal | Water |
| Metal | Water | Wood |
Fire
Energy: Pulsating, energy, vitality (yang)
Shape: Triangular
Colors: Red shades, pinks
Season: Summer
Design Ideas to Activate Flow/Energy: Lights, candles, candelabras, a fireplace; hang a painting or sculpture with a bold splash of red or triangle shapes
Earth
Energy: Stability, nurturing, sustaining
Shape: Square
Colors: Orange, yellow, earth tones
Season: Transition of seasons
Design Ideas to Activate Flow/Energy: Terra cotta pots, ceramics, soft fabrics and colors
Metal
Energy: Focus, direct, contracting
Shape: Round
Colors: Grey, pastels, white
Season: Autumn
Design Ideas to Activate Flow/Energy: Metal objects, metallic finishes and fixtures
Water
Energy: Fluid
Shape: Wavy
Colors: Black, dark tones
Season: Winter
Design Ideas to Activate Flow/Energy: Fountains, fish tanks, mirrors
Wood
Energy: Changing, growth, sprouting
Shape: Rectangular, columnar
Colors: Green shades
Season: Spring
Design Ideas to Activate Flow/Energy: Plants, wood flooring and furniture, sculpture
Meet Kate MacKinnon
Kate MacKinnon, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner and founder of Creative Feng Shui, combines the eastern practice of Feng Shui with a western aesthetic to create spaces of elegance and beauty that also transform lives. Since 2001, Kate has successfully consulted for individuals and businesses, bringing the power and magic of Feng Shui to homes, offices, buildings all over the world. Kate has taught courses on Feng Shui at the Hospital for Special Surgery, written articles on Feng Shui, and been interviewed by thought leaders in the worlds of Speaking, Art, Spirituality, Women Empowerment, and Life Transitions. In 2014, Kate taught the first Feng Shui online course for the Integrative Institute of Nutrition with a focus on Health & Wellness. In 2016, Kate had the honor to present “Feng Shui 101” to the Global Real Estate Women’s Group at JPMorgan Chase. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
To work with Kate and discover how Feng Shui can change your life, book a free 30 Minute Feng Shui Exploration Call with Kate here.
