5 Things You May Not Know About the Feng Shui Symbol

The popularity of Feng shui as a harmonising practice in architecture and living space design has grown since ancient times. Central to it is the great Feng shui symbol – a popular and powerful tool for enhancing the energy and harmony of your home or office. But do you know what it is? While many believe it to be the ‘Yin-Yang’ symbol, the true Feng shui symbol is in fact a map that is associated with the concept of life force in Chinese tradition, i.e., ‘chi’.

It is also known as the Bagua map, which means "eight areas" in Chinese. The symbol consists of eight trigrams, each representing a different aspect of life, such as wealth, health, career, love, etc. In practice, the symbol is usually placed over a floor plan or a compass to determine the best placement of furniture, colours, plants, and other objects in each area.

But did you know that there is more to the Feng Shui symbol than meets the eye? Here are some interesting facts that you may not know about this ancient and fascinating system:

1. The Feng Shui symbol is based on the I Ching, the Book of Changes

The I Ching is one of the oldest and most revered books in Chinese culture. It is a collection of 64 hexagrams, each composed of six lines that can be either solid or broken. The hexagrams represent the different situations and patterns of change that occur in life. The Feng Shui symbol is derived from the eight basic trigrams that form the hexagrams. Each trigram has a name, a direction, an element, a season, a family member, a body part, and an animal associated with it.

2. The Feng Shui symbol has two versions: the Early Heaven and the Later Heaven

The Early Heaven sequence is the original order of the trigrams as they appeared in nature before human intervention. It is also called the Primordial or Pre-Heaven sequence. The Later Heaven sequence is the modified order of the trigrams as they were rearranged by King Wen of Zhou in the 11th century BC. It is also called the Manifested or Post-Heaven sequence. The Later Heaven sequence is more commonly used in Feng Shui practice today, as it reflects the current state of affairs and human influence on the environment.

3. The Feng Shui symbol can be used to enhance your personal energy as well as your space

You can use the symbol to align yourself with your best directions and elements according to your birth date and time. This is called your personal Kua number or Gua number. Your Kua number determines which areas of the symbol are favourable or unfavourable for you in terms of health, wealth, relationships, and success. You can also use your Kua number to find your lucky colours, numbers, shapes, and materials.

4. The Feng Shui symbol can be applied to any scale or dimension

You can use it to analyse and improve not only your home or office, but also your room, desk, bed, car, garden, city, country, or even the world. The principle is that everything is interconnected and affects everything else. By applying the symbol to different levels of your environment, you can create a harmonious flow of energy and attract positive outcomes in all aspects of your life.

5. The Feng Shui symbol is not static or rigid. It is dynamic and flexible

It can change according to different factors such as time, location, orientation, season, climate, culture, personal preference, etc. The symbol is not meant to be followed blindly or dogmatically. It is meant to be adapted and customised to suit your individual needs and circumstances. The symbol is a guide and a tool for creating balance and harmony in your life.

Final Words

Now that you know a great deal about the powerful Feng shui symbol, here are a few tips to put it to good use in your living or working space: 

1. The bagua map is divided into nine sections, each representing a different aspect of life. The sections are wealth/prosperity, fame/reputation, relationships/love, family, health, creativity/children, knowledge/wisdom, career, and helpful people/travel. Familiarise yourself with these areas.
2. Take a good look at your space and identify which areas correspond to each section of the bagua map. Note any imbalances or areas that need improvement.
3. Once you've identified the areas, you can enhance them to support positive energy flow by removing clutter and adding other auspicious Feng shui elements.

Remember that Feng Shui is a holistic practice, and the bagua map is just one aspect of it. Pay attention to the overall flow of energy and create a space that reflects your intentions and desires.