The powerful effects that different colors create have been known for thousands of years. Primitive humans used colors to ward off evil and to increase luck and virility. The ancient Chinese used colors as symbols to represent the different seasons. Green symbolizes wood and represents spring. Red symbolizes fire and represents summer. Yellow and orange symbolize the sun casting its warming glow on the earth; they represent the end of summer. White symbolizes metal and represents autumn. Blue symbolizes water and represents winter.

Colors have both positive and negative effects upon us. Faber Birren, a color psychologist, reported that normal people tend to find favorable qualities in different colors, but neurotics are more likely to notice the unfavorable.

We all react to color whether we are aware of it or not. Imagine sleeping in a bright-red bedroom or cooking a meal in a jet-black kitchen. Colors provide the emotional tone to the room. Some colors excite us, others make us angry. Still others calm us down. An interesting experi­ment was done some years ago when violent prisoners were kept in cells that had been painted pink. This color drained the inmates’ aggression, and they became model prisoners. As this experiment shows, color can have dra­matic effects, so we need to be careful with what colors we choose and how we use them.

In feng shui, colors control and assist reflected light. The combination of color and light should provide the best possible conditions to live in. It is best to choose your color schemes in the rooms themselves, as colors have a habit of changing when looked at under different types of lighting. Warm lights, for instance, make warm colors appear even warmer, while cool lights do the opposite.

Naturally, you should have the colors relating to the different elements of the people living in your home, but you should have a variety of other colors simply because you like them. Be careful not to have opposing colors, though. For instance, too much red would not be a good choice for you if you belong to the water element, as fire and water do not harmonize.

Choose the colors of your ceilings carefully. Light colors are generally better than dark. Dark colored ceilings remind the Chinese of dark rain clouds overhead. Dark colors also prevent the ch’i from rising. Consequently, the ch’i does not circulate the way it should and your wealth, health, and good luck can all be affected.

Softer colors are ideal for the bedroom. Any color that makes you feel peaceful and relaxed is ideal here. Pink, peach, cream, ivory, beige, tan, and light green are warm and gentle. Avoid strong colors, such as red and orange in the bedroom.

Earth colors, such as yellow, orange, brown, and green, are suitable for the kitchen. Avoid blue in this room as it relates to the water element. In fact, speaking generally, blue is not good as the dominant color in any room (except the bathroom, as mentioned in Chapter Seven), as it tends to make people introspective and quiet. It is also inclined to make people feel cold. I have been in living rooms where a very light blue worked, but it is a difficult color to experiment with. It is better to introduce blue in the form of throw rugs, paintings, ornaments, or other objects.

Light and pastel colors can be used to make small rooms appeariarger. Red, yellow, and blue do the opposite and decrease the size of rooms. Good use of light colors can brighten up a dark corner. A well-lit, sunny part of the house can be painted in light or dark colors. Hot colors, such as red, create stimulating environments. Conversely, cool colors, such as blue, are restful and encourage quieter activities.

These are, of necessity, very general guidelines. Use the colors that you personally like. It is important that the colors in your home reflect you and your feelings. Most of the time these will also create good feng shui in your home.

It is best to start designing a room by choosing one color to be the dominant color in the room. Choose another color for the carpet or furnishings. Add a third color to either harmonize your first two colors together, or to create a contrast. This method is simple, but effective.

Colors and the Pa-kua

The five elements can be used in conjunction with the Aspirations of the Pa-kua to determine which colors can be used to enhance different areas of your home.

When the pa-kua is overlaid on top of the cycle of the five elements, with earth being placed in the center, we receive an interesting mixture of colors that can prove extremely useful.

Wealth area         Green, red, violet, and blue
Fame area            Red, green, and yellow
Marriage area       Red, pink, and white
Family area          Green, red, and blue
Children area        White and gold
Knowledge area    Black, green, and blue
Career area          Black, white, and green
Mentors area        White and black

You can use these color schemes in the areas of the house that relate to the pa-kua, or alternatively keep objects of these colors in the relevant areas.

Here are the general meanings of the different colors to help you choose the right colors for you and your home.

Red
Keywords Exciting, energetic

Red is the strongest color of all. It is not commonly found in nature, and, when we do see it, it gives a strong mes­sage. In China, red has always been considered a color of happiness and prosperity. It is a highly auspicious color. In the East brides still wear red to attract good luck from heaven, and eggs that have been dyed red are distributed one month after babies are born.

Red is inspirational, exciting, and dynamic. It can give enormous confidence. About twenty years ago, a friend of mine was appointed manager of a large shopping mall, the first woman to be appointed to such a position. She was a controversial choice at the time, but quickly proved that she was the perfect person for the job. After she had been in charge for a few months, the owners asked her to give a speech to the managers of all the other shopping malls in the group telling them what they should be doing to improve their results. My friend was terrified at the prospect, as she never spoke in public and was being asked to address a group of people who had all violently opposed her appointment. I suggested that she wear a lit­tle bit of red to give her confidence. She bought herself a red suit and matching shoes, and gave a dynamic address that impressed everyone. She had never worn red before, but has done so ever since. Nowadays, she calls red the “color of power.”

Red can also be the color of rage. It is passionate and fiery and can create havoc when not used wisely. Red relates to the fire element.

Red should be used in rooms that involve activity and excitement. A recreation room or a home gymnasium are good examples. Red increases physical activity and passion. However, it can also induce insomnia when used in a bedroom.

Orange
Keywords Aspiration, sociable

Orange is a social, sociable color with considerable drive and energy. It is slightly more reserved than red, being good-natured and likable, rather than passionate. Orange relates to the earth element.

Orange creates some of the excitement of red, but is softened by the yellow. This makes it a useful color in rooms where people meet and talk. Interestingly, orange is also mentally stimulating and is a good choice for study areas, too.

Yellow
Keywords Positiveness, optimism

Yellow is the color of the sun, which casts its life-giving power over us all. Yellow is cheerful, stimulating, and brightening. It provides mental stimulation, which is why it is often associated with gaining wisdom. It can enliven the most gloomy of rooms. In ancient China, it was considered the color of laughter. Yellow relates to the earth element.

Yellow has always been regarded as a mentally stimulating color, making it useful in rooms where study or creative activities take place. Do not overdo the yellow, though, as too much of this color can cause headaches. Yellow lifts the feeling of a room and makes people feel happy and joyful, making it a good choice for rooms used for entertainment purposes.

Green
Keywords Peace, tranquillity

Green is right in the middle of the color spectrum, and is the color of nature. It provides feelings of peace, har­mony, and tranquillity. It soothes and restores the soul. In China, green is considered the color of peace and long life. It also relates to spring, with the new beginnings and growth that are associated with it. Green relates to the wood element.

Green is restful and peaceful, making it a good color for any room used for relaxation and sleep. Green soothes the mind and eliminates tensions and anxieties.

Blue
Keywords Optimism, security

In ancient China, blue symbolized blessings from heaven. It is the color of the sky. Today, it relates to thoughtfulness, constancy, and the truth. It is calming, introspective, and responsible. Blue relates to the water element.

Blue is tranquil and inward-looking. Blue might be a good choice if you have a special room where you go to meditate. Darker blues, such as indigo, aid spirituality and intuition.

Different shades of blue can be effective in the bath­room and toilet. This is because blue relates to the water element. A friend of mine has a highly distinctive bath­room incorporating several shades of blue. It creates an extremely powerful effect.

Violet
Keyword Spirituality, high ideals

Violet uses the energy of red, combined with the opti­mism of blue, to create a restful color that evokes a sense of wonder. It is not surprising that bishops wear purple robes, as violet has a strong association with the spiritual side of life. This color encourages creativity, idealism, and mysticism.
Violet can be inspirational and fill the mind with dreams of what may be. It is not a good choice for rooms used for entertainment, but can be useful in rooms where concentration is required.

Gold
Keywords Dignity, money

In imperial China, only the emperor and his immediate family were allowed to wear gold robes. Consequently, gold is still believed to attract honor and fame. Gold is positive and optimistic, like yellow, but is considerably more dignified. In the East it is often combined with red to represent good luck and wealth. Gold relates to the metal element. 

White
Keywords Purity, brightness

The white of a brides gown represents purity and inno­cence. In the martial arts, people with a white belt are “innocent,” because they are just beginning. White is basically the absence of color. It creates a love for detail and represents a mind free of cares. It is interesting to note that white is a funeral color in the East. However, it also relates to light, which attracts ch’i, something very desirable in feng shui. All the same, in the 5ast, they usu­ally offset the white with another “living” color. White relates to the metal element.

Black
Keywords Intensity, formality, sophistication

Black absorbs all colors. It is the color of night. It is hard to relax in rooms that are starkly black and white. It is often considered gloomy, but in fact it can create a dynamic, determined approach to problem-solving. Black relates to the water element. In the West, black is often considered a negative, even evil, color. However, in feng shui, black relates to money, and consequently can be a highly positive color.

You need to be confident to use black as part of the color scheme in your home. Black and white make a powerful combination that usually works better in an office environment than in the home. However, if you are wanting to make a statement, black can work well in the living room, hallways, and bathroom. Use it sparingly for maximum impact.

All colors are either yin or yang, and as you know, we are happiest when we achieve a balance of yin and yang in our home. Red, orange, yellow, and black are yang, and green, blue, and white are yin. Purple can be either yin or yang, depending on the combination of red and blue. If there is more red than blue, it is yang, and, con­versely, when there is more blue than red, it is yin. Yin and yang colors can be used together to create balance, but ideally should each be of the «ime strength. 

Sensitive Colors

Black and red are the two most sensitive colors in feng shui. Traditionally, black should not be used on gates, doors, and walls that face north or south. Red should not be used on gates, doors, and walls that face east or west. It is believed that bad luck will come to the occupants of homes that break these, rules.2 Black and red should always be used with great caution.

Feng Shui Tips

75 Color stimulates and energizes ch’i. Bright colors attract ch’i and make the area more stimulating. Red, in particular, is useful as it has always been considered the color of good luck and wealth.

76 Avoid too much of the same color. If the floor, walls, and ceiling are all painted the same color, the result can be restricting and ultimately depressing.

77 Color energizes. Experiment with exciting and dif­ferent colors, such as red, yellow, and purple, in areas that are used for conversation. Stimulating colors help provide scintillating conversation.

78 By experimenting with the intensity, purity, and brightness of different colors, you can make each room feel perfect for its purpose.

79 Imaginative use of lighting will help you make the most of your color scheme. Try a mixture of strong and soft lighting in each room and notice the effect it has on you and your guests.

80 Fire People: Wood relates well to fire. Consequently, green is a good color for you. However, water destroys fire. This means you should avoid black and blue. Earth drains fire. Avoid brown and yellow.

81 Earth People: Fire relates well to earth. Conse­quently, red is a good color for you. However, wood destroys earth. This means you should avoid green. Metal drains earth. Avoid white and gold.

82 Metal People: Earth relates well to metal. Conse­quently, beige, orange, and brown are good colors for you. However, fire destroys metal. This means you should avoid red. Water drains metal. Avoid black and blue.

83 Water People: Metal relates well to Water. Conse­quently, black and blue are good colors for you. However, earth destroys water. This means you should aVoid orange and brown. Wood drains water. Avoid green.

84 Wood People: Water relates well to wood. Conse­quently, black and blue are good colors for you. Metal destroys wood. This means you should avoid white and gold. Fire drains wood. Avoid red.