Feng Shui Frequently Asked Questions: Truth & Myths

Is it true that painting the door red will bring good energy in the house?

In most cases the color red serves as an enhancer, and by putting it randomly by or on the door all you’d do is enhance any energy that is in that area. Statistically speaking, less than one in ten houses will benefit from having the fire element located at the entrance. More likely, if a household is experiencing problems, there is a good chance that the door be located in an area that does have a problematic energy. Adding red is only going to increase this problem, not take it away. So, do not paint the door red unless so advised by a trusted consultant. (I have dedicated a whole article to the Money Door and you can find it under the category “Feng Shui House”)

I was told to hang lead crystals from the ceiling with a red string. They look really awkward, so I wonder if they are really effective.

All of our Feng Shui consultations now offer a quality Feng Shui Property Certification upon request. The purpose of this certification service is to acknowledge the Feng Shui quality of a space or a project that we have consulted on, existing or under design, giving added value to the building for our client’s benefit as well as their tenants and buyers.

I read somewhere that I should have a water fountain next to my entry door. There isn’t much space next to my door.

This is a confusing Feng Shui myth because there is actual truth in it. Water can be very powerful to create more financial success in a building. I have seen it done so many times, but the location of the water really depends upon the characteristic of each specific building: sometimes it is in the front, but, in many cases, surprise– it could be in the back or even in one of the corners. It’s use is also sometimes temporary and sometimes permanent. To install an external water feature could be quiet expensive and requires quiet a bit of maintenance, so if you want one make sure you place it in the right spot.

I was told I needed to have a pair of matching “ugly” dogs next to the entry door of my store to scare away the negative energy. Is it true?

It’s not the animal represented that does the trick, but the element they’re made of. Those “ugly” twin dogs that look like lions were originally made of solid bronze– a.k.a. metal – which is the reason why they were so effective as Feng Shui corrections for eliminating problems. The modern counterpart– usually made of plastic or clay – have absolutely no effect. So if you do want to use Fu Dogs, make sure they’re made of the real element for the most effect.

I read a lot about the importance of mirrors in Feng Shui. Can you explain how they work? What makes them effective?

Books are redundant about using mirrors to attract good energy and reflect away bad luck. But a piece of news: mirrors aren’t that smart to know which energy you’d like to attract and which you’d like to reject. This myth comes from the old days when mirrors were solid heavy pieces of polished metal. Back in those days the Feng Shui Master would visit a house and suggest to place a mirror here or there. But what was being effective as a correction was not the reflectivity of the mirror but rather the metal element it was made off (like the Fu Dogs above). Obviously, “charlatans” Feng Shui Masters wouldn’t know this nowadays. So do not choose any Master who uses a lot of mirrors.

Is Feng Shui related to any religion or any esotherical practice?

No. Feng Shui is not related to any kind of religion. All of the principles and theories of Feng Shui are derived from the I-Ching, 'the Book of Changes’, which conveys all the wisdom and universal truth. Traditional Yang Sang Feng Shui is a naturalistic ancient science that understands the patterns of the earth's magnetic energy and teaches us how to align our architecture with them in order to create the most favorable living environments.

Is Feng Shui applied to houses only?

No, Feng Shui can be applied to houses, offices, commercial buildings, public buildings, schools, health facilities, etc. It can also be applied to neighborhoods, cities, states, as well as to the entire world.

After a Feng Shui reading, how often do you find yourself recommending that people move out of a property?

Seldom. Most of the time, the problem can be corrected with relative ease. Only in rare situations in which the conditions are so unfavorable that they represent a threat to life would the occupant be advised to leave.

If Feng Shui is so important, why have I never heard of it before?

For centuries, Feng Shui was kept secret by China’s ruling class; it was used almost exclusively by emperors. The study and the practice of Feng Shui’s was not open to the public. This was partially due to the high level of education and dedication that it required in addition to the long time that needed to be invested to practice and develop the skill. With the increasing Asian migration to the United States and Canada, mostly from Hong Kong and Taiwan, where Feng Shui is more widespread, Westerners are being exposed to and they are learning the benefits of this ancient science. The biggest increase in awareness by far has occurred in just the past 20 years.

Any other Feng Shui myth you’ve been wondering about? E-mail me the description and I’ll let you know if it’s truth or myth at dr.simona@fengshuiarch.com.

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