The principles and ideas behind the Feng Shui design style for gardens relate not only to the use of plants. It includes the art of applying basic Feng shui design and placement principles to gardens and materials. Feng Shui means “wind and water”.
The concept is to create a feeling of harmony and balance or positive ‘qi’ pronounced ‘chi’ or within the garden and home and therefore within our lives, bringing peace wealth and harmony to us and our surroundings. We provide a basic guide to the ideas behind a garden with ‘positive chi’.
Feng Shui (pronounced fung-shway) garden principles and ideas relate to creating a positive energy and sense of harmony in the garden and therefore bringing luck, health and prosperity to your life. This positive energy or ‘chi’ relate to conforming with rules of nature, harmony and balance are important
Basic Feng Shui Principles
- In nature straight lines are very rare, in the Feng Shui garden this translates to the use of gentle curves for pathways and garden.
- Size and proportion are important, ponds, fountains and ornaments should be in proper proportion to the garden itself. Heavy ornaments create a feeling of stability.
- A Bagua (Pa Kua) Mirror can be used in the garden to reflect negative energy. These are octagonal mirrors that are only used outside the house (never in side). They are often hung above front and back doors.
- Represent the five elements (wood, metal, earth, fire and water) in the garden.
- Spiked plants are said to create a feeling of aggression, while this with fleshy fat leaves are good luck (auspicious) Jade plants are widely used.
- A clean and tidy garden free from rubbish is important for good Feng Shui, work areas such as compost bins and storage areas are best concealed.
Feng Shui Garden Materials
- Wood – A timber garden arch over a pathway leading to your front door indicates a welcoming entry, timber seats and planters are other wooden elements that can be used.
- Water – Widely used to create a feeling of peace and tranquility, create a feminine energy (yin) as well as to symbolise wealth. Water can be used in the form of fountains, bird baths, water bowls, ponds and even small small pools can all be used.
- Ideally water in the garden should be clean and flowing, stagnant dirty water or fountains full of dirty leaves bring ‘negative chi’. Metal placed near or in stone fountains is said to be positive. Water should not leak or splash from fountains or ponds.
- Metal – Wind chimes can be used to help create a ‘positive chi’ a free flowing energy in the garden. Gongs, metal garden furniture and arches can also be used.
- Earth – Ornaments and statues for a Feng Shui garden should be made of natural materials, stone and terra cotta are widely used. Rocks are also widely used.
- Fire- In Feng Shui, Fire can be represented by lighting, or a fire pit or maybe even an outdoor cooking area. Lighting is important, eliminate dark corners, lighting (solar powered lights, lanterns, candle) all help provide a positive energy. Fire can also be represented by red foliage colour.
