
The ancient Chinese art of feng shui is believed to bring harmony and balance to a space by influencing the energy within it. The placement of objects and visuals, including paintings, is key to this practice. The subject matter, colours, and even the frames of paintings can all impact the energy flow of a room, and the principles of feng shui should be considered when choosing and hanging artwork. The five elements of feng shui—wood, water, fire, earth, and metal—are important to consider, as they can strengthen or weaken each other. The Bagua map is a tool that can help determine the ideal placement of paintings to promote positive energy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To bring harmony and balance to a space |
| Placement | Entryway, living room, or bedroom |
| Elements | Wood, water, fire, earth, and metal |
| Wood | Flowers, plants, trees, forests, green, brown |
| Water | Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, oceans, blue, black |
| Fire | Lanterns, campfires, candles, smoke, red, orange, yellow, pink, purple |
| Earth | Mountains, crystals, rocks, light brown, beige |
| Metal | Jewellery, cars, coins, silver, white, grey |
| Lines | Curved lines, circles |
| Colours | Warm colours, bright colours |
| Size | Larger paintings bring a greater sense of energy |
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What You'll Learn
- The five elements of Feng Shui: wood, water, fire, earth, and metal
- Placement of paintings: the Bagua map can help determine where to hang paintings
- Colours: different colours represent the five elements and have different meanings
- Lines: straight lines and sharp angles are considered negative, curved lines are positive
- Subject matter: paintings should depict happiness, newness, and positivity

The five elements of Feng Shui: wood, water, fire, earth, and metal
Feng shui is a traditional Chinese practice of placing objects and visuals to create harmony and balance in a space. The five elements of feng shui—wood, water, fire, earth, and metal—are believed to represent different energies and qualities. Each element is associated with specific colours, shapes, and symbolism, and can be used to enhance different aspects of your life.
The element of wood represents growth, expansion, and creativity. It is associated with the colours green and brown and is symbolised by plants, trees, and wood-based materials. In feng shui paintings, wood can be represented by flowers, plants, trees, and forest landscapes.
The element of water represents flow, movement, and abundance. It is associated with the colours black and blue and is symbolised by water-based materials such as fountains and aquariums. Water can be incorporated into feng shui paintings through landscapes of rivers, waterfalls, streams, lakes, oceans, seas, and fountains.
The element of fire represents fruition and ripening. It is associated with the colours red, orange, strong yellow, pink, and purple. Fire elements in paintings can include lanterns, campfires, candles, smoke, fireplaces, and lightning.
The element of earth affects physical strength and order while generating an overall feeling of grounding, balance, and stability. It is associated with the colours light yellow, beige, sandy/earthy, and light brown. Earth elements in paintings can feature mountains, crystals, rocks, and stones.
The element of metal represents clarity, precision, and organisation. It is associated with the colours white, silver, and gold, and is symbolised by metal objects such as coins and jewellery. Metal elements in paintings can include jewellery, cars, coins, or other silver objects.
When incorporating these elements into your home or workspace, it is important to follow the Bagua to bring balance and harmony to your space and enhance different aspects of your life. Feng shui paintings with the correct placement and subject matter can bring positive chi into the lives of the occupants while driving away negative chi.
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Placement of paintings: the Bagua map can help determine where to hang paintings
The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui is about creating harmony and balance by orienting places, objects, and structures. The placement of paintings is important in feng shui as it can influence the energy of a space. The Bagua map is a tool that can help determine where to hang paintings to promote positive energy and create harmony and balance throughout a space.
The Bagua map divides a space into nine separate areas, each relating to a certain theme. The centre square is considered the heart of the home, where energy is distributed to all the different sectors. There are two approaches to using the Bagua map: the traditional method, which uses a compass to determine the different areas, and the front door method, which aligns the bottom of the map with the front door.
When using the Bagua map to determine the placement of paintings, it is important to consider the elements of feng shui: wood, water, fire, earth, and metal. For example, if your bedroom is located in the south section of the house, it has a fire elemental base. In this case, it is not advisable to hang paintings depicting water or the colour blue, as this can destroy your luck for recognition and status. Instead, hang paintings that represent the fire element, such as lanterns, campfires, candles, smoke, fireplaces, and lightning.
The subject and symbolism of the paintings are also important in feng shui. Paintings should have clear intuitive symbolism of happiness, positivity, and new beginnings. For example, a painting of a lotus flower is a symbol of spiritual discipline, perfection, and faith and can be used to cure health issues. A painting of a galloping horse can bring wealth and good luck, while a painting of a landscape with a bridge can bring happiness.
It is also essential to consider the direction when placing paintings using the Bagua map. For example, a dragon painting can be placed in the north for career growth, the east for managing health issues, and the southeast for welcoming prosperity and wealth. By understanding how to use the Bagua map correctly, you can open the doors for abundance, success, and better relationships.
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Colours: different colours represent the five elements and have different meanings
The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui uses colours to direct chi and create beneficial energy changes in a space. The five elements of feng shui are wood, water, fire, earth, and metal, and each element has its own colours and meanings.
Wood is represented by the colours green and brown. These colours signify prosperity, growth, vitality, compassion, and renewal. In feng shui, paintings of flowers, plants, trees, and forest landscapes represent wood.
Water is associated with the colours blue and black, which symbolise tranquility and peace, trust, security, and wisdom. Water elements in paintings include landscapes of rivers, waterfalls, streams, lakes, oceans, seas, and fountains.
Fire is represented by red, orange, strong yellow, pink, and purple. These colours exude vibrancy, passion, joy, and warmth, and spirituality. Paintings that feature lanterns, campfires, candles, smoke, fireplaces, and lightning represent the fire element.
Earth is symbolised by light yellow, beige, sandy/earthy, and light brown. These colours represent stability, nurturing, grounding, and receptivity. Artworks featuring mountains, crystals, rocks, and stones represent the earth element.
Metal is associated with white and grey, symbolising mental clarity, purity, faith, innocence, productivity, and rational thought. Artworks with jewellery, cars, coins, or silver objects represent the metal element.
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Lines: straight lines and sharp angles are considered negative, curved lines are positive
In the Chinese practice of feng shui, the placement of objects and visuals is believed to influence the energy of a space. Paintings, in particular, are said to play a crucial role in enhancing positivity and balance in modern homes.
When it comes to the impact of lines and angles in feng shui, straight lines and sharp angles are generally considered negative, while curved lines are seen as positive. This belief extends beyond the paintings themselves to the building structures that serve as their backdrop.
Straight lines and sharp angles, both in the interior and exterior of a building, are associated with negative energy or "sha" in feng shui. This negative energy is believed to bring harm and create problems for the inhabitants of the space. For example, a lamp pole, thin tree, or any other pillar directly aligned in a straight line with a window or entrance door is considered a source of "shar chi" or harmful energy. Similarly, sharp corners on the external walls of buildings are frowned upon in traditional feng shui as they are believed to cause bad energy or "sha qi." This negative energy is thought to impact the health and well-being of those occupying the space.
To counteract the negative influence of straight lines and sharp angles, curved lines, and soft, rounded edges are favored in feng shui. Curved lines are believed to promote positive energy flow and create a more harmonious environment. This concept extends to the placement of paintings, where the use of wavy frames, for instance, can denote the water element and contribute to a sense of tranquility and peace.
When incorporating paintings into a space, it is important to consider not only the lines and angles but also the symbolism and emotional response evoked by the artwork. According to feng shui principles, paintings should evoke feelings of happiness, positivity, and renewal rather than sadness or negativity.
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Subject matter: paintings should depict happiness, newness, and positivity
The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui is believed to bring harmony and balance to a space by influencing the energy within it. The placement of objects and visuals, including paintings, is key to this.
When considering the subject matter of a feng shui painting, it is important to choose images that depict happiness, newness, and positivity. For example, a painting of a beautiful landscape with a bridge can bring happiness to your life and your house, according to Vastu. Similarly, a picture of a watercolour landscape or a sunset in the sea can induce good fortune and bring brightness to your life.
Flowers are a good choice for feng shui paintings as they represent life and good energy. Cherry blossom flowers are considered good for health and can offer a soothing feeling, while lotus flowers symbolise spiritual discipline, perfection, and faith. They are also used as a cure for health issues.
If you are looking for new beginnings, a painting of an active and lively phoenix bird is a good option, as it symbolises rebirth, transformation, and new possibilities. This should be placed in the south zone of the house.
Paintings with colours of fire, such as red, orange, and yellow, are known for maintaining good energy and surging recognition and success. However, be mindful of the room's location in the house, as you should avoid hanging paintings depicting water or blue colours in a room with a fire elemental base, as this could destroy your luck for recognition.
It is also important to pay attention to your gut feelings when choosing a painting. If a painting gives you a certain impression, such as loneliness, hanging it in your home may bring you that exact feeling.
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Frequently asked questions
Feng shui paintings are believed to bring positive chi into the lives of the occupants, driving away negative chi. They can also be used to promote specific energies, such as prosperity.
The five elements of feng shui are wood, water, fire, earth, and metal. Some good subjects for feng shui paintings include:
- Flowers and plants (wood)
- Lakes and waterfalls (water)
- Candles and lanterns (fire)
- Mountains and crystals (earth)
- Jewellery and coins (metal)
It is important to be mindful of the placement of the painting. For example, do not hang a painting depicting water in a room with a fire elemental base, as this can destroy your luck for recognition. Paintings hung low in a space may also bring negative energy.
Auspicious symbols that are commonly used in feng shui art include:
- Koi fish
- Mandarin ducks
- Wealth ships
- Dragons
- Horses











































