Feng shui colors and lucky colors
Feng shui holds that every color has its own kind of energy. Choosing the colors of your rooms and belongings is the easiest way to start with feng shui.
On this page
1.Colors and the five elements
At the root of what colors mean are yin-yang and the five elements.
| Element | Colors | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Green, blue | Growth, development, youth |
| Fire | Red, purple, orange | Passion, glamor, honor |
| Earth | Yellow, brown, beige | Stability, trust, accumulation |
| Metal | White, gold, silver | Harvest, plenty, decisiveness |
| Water | Black, navy | Wisdom, flexibility, connection |
You can also use the relationships between the elements (generating and controlling) to plan color pairings, such as “a green (Wood) plant with a red (Fire) light for momentum”.
2.What each color means
Yellow: money and enjoyment
A bright, cheerful color said to stand for money, enjoyment and the power to draw people. Pairing it with the west is the classic choice.
Red: vitality and winning
The color of passion and energy, for when you want motivation or on a big day. It is strong, though, so it is best not to use a lot of it in the bedroom.
Green: health, harmony and growth
The color of plants, said to calm the mind and bring harmony. It goes well with the east and southeast, and houseplants are the easy way to bring it in.
Blue: calm and work
Said to clear the head and sharpen concentration. It suits a study or the area around your desk.
Pink: love and kindness
A color said to soften relationships and boost romance. It is often used in the north or southeast, and in bedroom fabrics.
White: purification and a fresh start
Said to reset and cleanse everything. It also brings out the effects of other colors.
Black and navy: calm and dignity
They stand for wisdom, trust and dignity. Used for a wallet or work accessories, they give a sharp impression.
Purple: refinement and intuition
A color of nobility and spirituality, said to heighten intuition and beauty.
Gold and silver: plenty
Gold stands for plenty and high standing, silver for sophistication and a cool head. The trick to keeping it tasteful is to use a little as an accent.
Brown and beige: stability and home
The colors of the earth, standing for stability and trust. They suit the southwest and rooms where the family gathers, as a base color.
3.How to use colors well
- Think in base, main and accent: keep the base (walls and floor) calm, and bring in the colors for the luck you want through accents such as cushions and small objects. The room will hang together.
- Match them to directions: the lucky colors of the eight directions are in feng shui by direction.
- Know your star’s color: in Nine Star Ki each main star has its colors. See the nine stars too.
The effect of color is best enjoyed as a nudge to change your mood. Try bringing colors in while keeping the ones you love and find calming.
4.FAQ
I heard yellow is good for money. Is that true?
In Japanese feng shui, “yellow in the west” for money luck is a widely known idea. But too much yellow can feel restless, so it is best used as an accent, in small objects or fabrics.
Is black a bad color in feng shui?
Black belongs to the Water element and stands for calm, secrets and dignity. It isn’t bad, but a room that is all black feels heavy and dark, so it is best used in small amounts to sharpen things up.
Now try a reading for yourself
Free readings related to this article.
Read next
