The Psychology of Color: A Feng Shui Expert Explains

featured this week on MindBodyGreen

image credit: Amy T. Won for MindBodyGreen

image credit: Amy T. Won for MindBodyGreen

Color is one of the most effective ways to shift the energy in your life. From the color of your underwear to the color you paint your walls, colors not only affect your well-being, but they also have significant meaning. Yes, even the color of your underwear!

As a feng shui practitioner and an architect, I always get asked “What color should I paint my walls?” I respond with, “What color are you most attracted to?” So in approaching this survey of colors and the feng shui psychology behind them, keep that in mind. What colors do you love, and what might you need more of in your life?

RED-PINK

Red is an easy one. Red is related to fire energy. This color can invoke passion and fiery flames of inspiration. It's pretty intense! It's quite a statement when a woman walks into a room wearing a red dress. Because reds are very stimulating, in a home I'd recommend red for accents like pillows and art.

You can also use red sheets underneath a more subdued duvet to bring more passion into the bedroom. Alternatively, wearing red underwear can spice things up! Red is also very auspicious (lucky!) and protective in feng shui.

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by Anjie Cho


Feng Shui Tips: Crystal Balls

featured on Homeclick

In case you missed it, I was featured on Homeclick earlier this year with tips on how to properly hang a feng shui crystal ball. Check out what Homeclick had to say below, and view the video and instructions here! You can also purchase a feng shui crystal ball with red hanging cord on the Holistic Spaces store here.


We're really digging this latest video with architect and feng shui consultant Anjie Cho. We were first wowed when we saw how a designer like Cho can seamlessly weave feng shui sensibilities into her design work for clients without compromising taste or preference. Feng shui is an intriguing, attractive art-meets-science practice that has been around for thousands of years. Crystals, it turns out, play an important role in creating good feng shui in the home

The basic concept of feng shui crystals is fairly straightforward. When properly cleaned and used, crystals can attract and disperse good feng shui energy in the home. Different crystals can attract different energies, while placement of crystals around the house can also affect outcome. 

In her video, Cho uses a Swarovski 40mm faceted crystal ball and discusses proper cleaning of the crystal as well as three potential rooms in which to use it: an entryway, hallway, or a home's center. 

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An Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui - Part 2

Last month we talked about how important, and increasingly popular, the use of color psychology is in creating a holistic, sacred space for each of us. By now, you know when it's best to use greens, teals, blues, purples and violets, yellows, oranges and browns. As many colors as that may be, it's just the tip of the color iceberg! 

Let's take a look at a few more colors and what they symbolize in feng shui. 

Whites

Not surprisingly, white symbolizes purity and simplicity. This color is very bright and stark and is the ultimate yang, or active, color.

White can represent an empty slate as well, but it's important in design to view it as just that, since it can be so harsh on the eyes. Imagine looking out at a field of fresh, clean snow. Think of how that bright, empty color puts a strain on your eyes. Who wants to be constantly blinded in their own space?! 

To utilize this color in your space, use white as accents in areas with more color or opt for warmer, off-white tones for wall colors. 

Grays

Gray shades offer the ultimate balance, as a combination of black and white, yin and yang. They can, however, be a bit depressing and cold for some, especially those already dealing with mood issues.

Despite this possibility, grey is a great color to use in your spaces, as it attracts helpful people to your life and helps support the intentions of other colors in a space. 

To use grey in your home or office, consider adding the color to the Benefactors area of your bagua map or combining shades of grey with a complementary color scheme

Deep, Dark Blues

Since there are a plethora of shades of blue, it's necessary to note a difference between the healing, yang energy of brighter blues and the supportive, meditative, more yin energy of dark, deep blues. 

Since very deep, almost black blues are related to the Water element and the Knowledge area of the bagua, they represent a sense of calm and security and can offer a sense of settling and quiet. 

Though blue generally represents the Wood element, these darker shades of blue are perfect for meditation spaces, bedrooms (as long as you don't have a mood disorder) or anywhere you can use a little Water element. Look for artistic accent pieces or accent walls, since you don't want to go too dark with an entire room.

You can also place a piece of Lapis lazuli crystal in the Knowledge or Completion area of your bedroom for support with self-expression and growth.

I hope you're getting a good idea of what colors are best for your space and which ones will nurture you most! Check back in next month for another dose of color 101, where we'll finish up with passionate shades of red, blacks and, on a lighter note, pinks and peaches!

by Anjie Cho