A few months ago, we wrote an article about The Essential Principles of Feng Shui, describing the philosophy and listing the three essentials for achieving the balance and tranquillity this concept brings to a home. If you read it (if not, go read it now here!), you might remember that we mentioned the Bagua. So today, we will explain what it means and how you can achieve it in your own house or project!
The Bagua Map
Bagua is a Chinese word that means “eight areas/symbols”. It is the feng shui energy map and one of the essential principles and most powerful tools of this practice. The Bagua offers a systematic way to evaluate the energy field of your environment through eight symbols that are connected to different aspects of life. The symbols are around a centre and each one has countless layered meanings, such as colours, elements, shapes and much more.
The Bagua Map can be depicted as an octagon, other times as a square and it is an energy grid that you can lay over a floor plan. It can be used for an entire home; however, this conceptual plan can also be used in a single room or even a property or a town! The energy grip shrinks and expands but always remains in an equally proportioned three-by-three grid.
How to Apply the Bagua
The first step is to apply the Bagua to your home’s floor plan (the main floor). You need to use an accurately scaled floor plan of your home or the room where you want to apply it and rotate the plan so the wall with the front door is at the bottom. Overlay a three-by-three grid and align its bottom with the wall and with the front door; make sure the grid is equally spaced. Locate all the areas to match up with the bagua, like the example in the image opposite. Easy right?
The bedroom will be the most effective place for you to work on your feng shui since it is the space that is closest to you. Keep in mind that, if you still have trouble applying the Bagua map, it is best to hire a feng shui consultant.
The Bagua Areas
Each Bagua area has attributes associated with it. You can activate a symbol/gua by bringing in the colour, element or shape.
- Family & New Beginning – Zhen
- Colours: Green, Blue, Teal
- Element: Yang Wood
- Wealth & Abundance – Xun
- Colours: Blue, Green, Purple
- Element: Yin Wood
- The Centre & Health – Tai Qi
- Colours: Earth Tones, Yellow, Orange and Brown
- Element: Earth
- Helpful People & Travel – Qian
- Colours: Greys
- Element: Yang Metal
- Children & Completion – Dui
- Colours: White
- Element: Yin Metal
- Knowledge & Self-Cultivation – Gen
- Colours: Dark Blue, Black, Green
- Element: Yang Earth
- Fame & Reputation – Li
- Colours: Red
- Element: Fire
- Career & Path in Life – Kan
- Colours: Black
- Element: Water
- Love & Partnerships – Kun
- Colours: Pink
- Element: Earth
Last, but not least, you need to select one, two, or three Bagua areas you want to activate. The specialists don’t recommend you do more because it will dilute the effect.
The ancient Chinese developed the Bagua along with many other philosophies. All of these Asian ideologies were inspired by nature and sought to balance how humans can live in harmony in the natural world. So, if you seek a balanced and tranquil life, you definitely should try Feng Shui and Bagua in your own home!
Featured Image: Decorilla
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