Feng shui symbols are related to the five elements in the Eastern worldview: water, wood, earth, fire, and metal. Each symbol relates to an aspect of one of these elements, including natural materials, gems and minerals, shape, design motif, artwork, structure, and animal or plant, a quality, and a color. Some of the symbols are obvious and others require a bit more understanding and interpretation. Feng shui symbols are used to balance environments and are sometimes called cures.
Metal decor has become a permanent part of modern homes. Stainless steel appliances, light fixtures, and metal frames for artwork are part of the popular décor. Decorative metal wall art has been used in professional or commercial settings such as banks, airports, and offices. Now the metal decoration is firmly moving into the home.
Metal decor can have a cold, harsh feel if not balanced with softer colors and other elements like wood and fire. Metal decoration can also be created through works of art with some of the newer metallic paints. The artwork may represent the metallic element in a static form or in a molten liquid form.
The use of gold leaf in art has been the ultimate symbol of wealth and opulence for centuries. The palaces of kings, queens and powers have been adorned with metal decoration throughout history. Now even the most modest home can feature artwork and other decorations that emphasize the metallic element.
Metal decor works well for offices and places of business and also for adding touches of excitement elsewhere. Metal décor can work well in bathrooms and kitchens, complementing faucets and appliances. Metal decor can also add sparkle and fun to game rooms, bedrooms, and entryways. Consider placing a paint with metallic colors where sunlight will reflect off the surface and add sparkle to the room.
The metal decoration symbolizes permanence and is appropriate for both sexes. The metal element can be a symbol of longevity and lifetime promises or commitments. The metal represents achievements: golden anniversaries and the completion of a career (ie the gold watch). Metallic paint adorns trophies and plaques that are awarded in honor of achievement and success. Add some sparkle to your life and to your home or office!
Metals are used to enhance, control, and balance energy within a home or office. The metal element is represented by rocks, stones, and colors or metallic objects including bronze, copper, gold, and silver. Design motifs for metals are smooth, rounded patterns similar to the fluid shapes metals take when melted. Metals have a very yang quality, which helps to attract physical wealth and abundance into your life.
The natural materials associated with the metal element are rock, stone, and anything metallic. Gems and minerals used as metal symbols are diamond, bronze, gold, copper, and silver. The shape associated with the metallic element is a circle. The reason for this is that metal can be cast into a wide variety of shapes, often including circular aspects: snaps, nail heads, screws, bolts, and washers. Although metal is solid when it cools, one of the most important aspects in terms of feng shui symbols is its ability to take any shape when melted. When cooled, the metal is often smooth rather than textured. Therefore, the design motif is smooth rounded patterns.
Works of art that contain feng shui symbols for the metal element include metal or stone sculptures. Artwork that actually depicts solid or molten metal is another powerful way to bring this element into your environment. The use of arches, arches, and arched bridges will also bring this symbol into any space that is occupied by the arched shape.
Feng shui metals are especially useful for home offices and kitchens, as these are the places where you generally want to expand your money (particularly gold and silver) or your food abundance. Feng shui metals can include artwork created with metallic paints, objects made from these metals, or photographs of metallic objects. Metals in free flowing form are more powerful than solid elements created from metal. This is because an image of metals in a liquid form adds to the symbolism of wealth flowing into your life. An image of flowing metals also helps to counteract the coldness often associated with metals.
Feng shui metals can make for some very exciting images. The possibilities for imaging metals in a liquid state are endless. Images can focus on one or two metals or depict multiple metals so colors blend and contrast with each other for added visual interest. Metals in smooth, flowing patterns can symbolize the ease with which abundance can flow into your life when your energy is aligned with a deep purpose that benefits life.
In the cycle of the five elements, metals are one of the five dominant forces in nature. The Chinese system of five elements includes wood, fire, water, earth, and metal. Balancing these forces in your environment can help you keep the chi, or life force, active and strong in every area of your life.
Metals are characterized by the qualities of strength, endurance, idealism, discipline, and will. People with strong metals in their personality have high aspirations and are often involved in creative expression that seeks to elevate life. Metals takes the viewer into the central issues of life, such as ethics, morality, philosophy, religion, and the underlying principles that are revealed through higher education. Those with a strong affinity for metals look for quality rather than quantity in life.
Those with an affinity for metals have strong lungs, representing the ability to accept and let go of life in a healthy and invigorating way. If you have problems with your lungs or large intestine, metal imaging may be beneficial for you. Also keep in mind that too much metal can result in rigidity, tight scheduling, and a level of orderliness that inhibits rather than supports achievement in life. Again, images of flowing metals can help soften the cold, stark look of metals.
The feng shui symbols for the metal element also include the tiger as the most prominent element. The tiger figures prominently in Chinese mythology and is second only to the lion as a military rank insignia. The strength of the tiger combined with feline stealth make this animal a fearsome enemy but a tremendous ally. The tiger is also a symbol of fighting hard to maintain a friendship.
The quality of metal as a feng shui symbol is yang. This is one of the most concentrated fireside feng shui symbols. Cast metal representations are more yang than images or objects that are solid metal. Metallic element colors include gold, bronze, silver, and copper. Other colors associated with the metal element are white, light blue, light pink, and purple. All these colors symbolize transformation and the ability to take on a new figure or form.