The 5 Feng Shui Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water & Wood

Feng Shui Practitioner Kate MacKinnon shares her wisdom for bringing harmony into your home and work.

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.

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