The Basic Concept of Yin Yang Feng Shui

The common understanding what Feng Shui Yin Yang means is that two different forms of everything must exist in our universe. Whatever exists must be divided into two opposites. Already in primary school or kindergarten, the students are being taught the opposite meaning of new words. Do you remember?

• Big and Small
• Hot and Cold
• Full and Empty
• In and Out

This list can go on and on, but I am sure you will get the point. This is how our world exists and nothing does exist by itself. It needs to be always part of something else in order to be in balance.

How to use yin and yang energy?

The concept of Yin and Yang does play a major role in Feng Shui as without it, the studies of Feng Shui could not exist.
To simplify the understanding for now:

• Yin is the inactive, quite, non-energetic part which is represented in nature by mountains/hills.
• On the opposite, Yan is the active, loud, very energetic counterpart which is represented in nature by moving water like rivers/streams.

If we look deeper into the principle of Feng Shui Yin Yang, we can notice that there are four subgroups and a total number of six levels all together:

• Further Explanation:
• Greater Yin is the extreme in-activeness form of Yin
• Lesser Yang is the less active form of Yin
• Lesser Yin is the less inactive form of Yang
• Greater Yang is the extreme active form of Yang

As you can see from the illustration above, only two forms are 100% pure. All other forms are a combination and mixture of both Yin & Yang. To explain further, if only ONE Yin line is present (- -), it means that this element is mostly Ying based with only a slight touch of Yang. In comparison, if there is only ONE Yang line (-) to be seen, it is mostly Yang based with some slight inactivity by Yin. In Feng Shui yin yang practice, this is being used to apply the correct energy adjustments accordingly.

Even in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this concept is being used to treat patients. As every level of the 8 Trigram (see below) is associated with certain body parts, it is very easy for the practitioner to use the correct healing methods. For example, the Greater Yang (Tai Yang) is associated with the Urinary tract. I will not go deeper into this direction as it is a whole topic for itself.

The 8 Trigram Evolution from Yin and Yang Feng Shui

I am sure you are asking now, what this has all has to do with Feng Shui? Let me explain this a little bit more in detail:

As there is constantly an interaction between Yin and Yang, both energies are always adjusting itself to be in perfect balance and harmony with each other. Out of the six forms of Yin & Yang, the 8 Trigram is being formed to allow us in Feng Shui to evaluate which cardinal direction is associated with what attributes. As you can see in the Trigram below, the attributes reflect the element forms of nature, family members, body part (organ), and astrological animal signs.

No doubt, to have balanced energy flow in your house for the overall well-being of all family member. Therefore, both the active and inactive Feng Shui Yin Yang components need to be in great harmony to each other. At this point, you would need to look at your Permanent Energy Chart (or Classical Bagua Map) to figure out which of the sitting (mountain) star and facing (water) star are present. Consequently, you will notice yourself if one of the Yin or Yang energies are missing or are incomplete.

How to tell if your House is not well Balanced with Yin Yang

You might notice that something is not right in your house, Your gut feeling tells you this. For example, if you are always busy, have no time to relax, the soothing inactive Yin energy might be missing in your house. On the contrary, if you lack energy the whole day and it is difficult for you to get things done, the active Yan energy might be missing. The purpose of Feng Shui is to determine the imbalanced areas and get them in harmony once again. If you are quite overwhelmed, an online Feng Shui consultation might be recommended.

YIN ENERGY in your House (Inactive)

• No doubt, the presence of great Yin energy should be in your bedroom. As the bedroom is a place to relax, only soothing, relaxing elements should be allowed. For example, paint the bedroom walls in soft pastel or sand colors. Furthermore, avoid any kind of active activities like placing your exercise treadmill in here. Sleep at least for 8-10 hours to re-energize your body. The Yin Energy likes it dark, so keep your blinds closed.
• Play classical music and decorate all your “relax areas” with upholstered furniture, nice soft cushions, and surround yourself by beautiful art.
• Generally, keep your room temperature at around 25 degrees. By research, this is the most balanced and comfortable temperature for your body. If the rooms are too cold, it can create illness. On the opposite, if the rooms are too hot, it can create stress.
• In Classical Feng Shui, if one section of your home is imbalanced or occupied by inauspicious star energy, we most likely need to remedy it with yin elements. For example, use blue wall paint or a vase of still water (Yin) instead of using a water fountain (Yang)

Yang ENERGY in your House (Active)

• Obviously, Yang Energy should be well present in your living room, office, and kitchen. In order to boost this energetic energy use bright colors, candles, and a lot of active art or photos.
• Add solid furniture into the room, decorate with wood blinds. Also, natural stones like marble or granite are all Yang Energy supportive
• Whenever you include Yang food into your healthy diet, it will give your body the necessary energy. Yang food, for example, includes all kinds of meat, fish, and boiled vegetables (ginger, onions, garlic). Have you ever noticed while eating ginger that your body gets hot? Bingo, that’s Yang energy entering your body.
• In Feng Shui practice we use the Yang to boost the auspicious energy areas for the facing/water star. Remember, the facing star represents and support your wealth and money aspect of your life.

In summary, keep your relaxing areas (bedroom, reading room) quit, and do not use these places for any kind of agile activities. On the other hand, let the Yang rooms (living room, study room, office) be energetic with a lot of energy. If you follow these two simple rules, your home will be in perfect Yin and Yang Feng Shui balance.

Yin and Yang are two opposite yet complementary forces that define everything in the universe, but step back for a moment and think of them as one : Are Feng Shui Yin and Yang energy really different or the same?

Our Grand-master taught us that Yin and Yang have the same purpose or goal: To keep everything in balance! Is it really that they are so different if both have the same goal in mind. Think and discuss about it.