In the Eastern Hemisphere, it’s a common practice to use symbolism to mitigate bad luck. Water features, wind chimes, crystals and plants are all quite powerful Feng Shui symbols and are essentially part of every Feng Shui correction. The symbols do offer good benefits provided they are properly positioned and are made of good quality material.
Chinese New Year celebrations are not complete without the adaptation of Feng Shui symbolism, especially during the first fortnight of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Chinese lanterns, pussy willow pants, lemon and orange fruit bearing trees close to the main door, auspicious motifs, good luck signs and Taoist gods are all part of the celebrations.
As postulated in Feng Shui analysis, the luck of an individual is said to change annually along with the luck of the premises, as energy keeps changing constantly. To balance the flow of energy and restore equilibrium, Feng Shui recommends clearing of clutter, checking your place of dwelling or office for afflictions and carrying out the fine tuning and corrections. This aspect of Feng Shui is known as countering the ‘annual afflictions’ and this could be anything from realigning furniture to relocating Feng Shui symbols.
The personal Feng Shui of an individual also goes through cyclic changes which, as per Chinese Zodiac astrology, is a combination of the animal sign with the year element. This in turn determines the luck of the individual for that year. Adapt general symbolism in the place of dwelling or work which is supportive to the individual Chinese zodiac sign. Many also carry personal protection known as ‘self cures’ to mitigate the onslaught of bad energy and afflictions.
One of the most popular and powerful tolls for personal protection is the special coin known as the ‘Bagua Horoscope Coin.’ This is a very special coin which has the inscription and protection for all the 12 Chinese zodiac sign on one side. On the other side it carries the ‘I-ching’ divination which symbolises the elements and energy from the eight directions. The Feng Shui belief is that it protects the person carrying the coin from afflictions to any of the 12 animal signs and bad energy from the eight compass directions. The coin, which is round with a square hole in the centre, signifies ‘heaven and earth.’ Symbolically, it represents the activation of ‘human luck’ within the purview of the heaven and earth energies.
These coins are not just carried by individuals but also placed in the wealth safe and tied above the main door entry to counter afflictions and is a common sight in many homes in the eastern hemisphere.
To many the symbolism may appear to be a blind belief, not have a scientific temperament and sound not too convincing. But when dealing with certain mystic energies that can be felt and experienced but not seen, symbolism becomes the easiest cure when adapted properly.
The writer is a master Feng Shui consultant and traditional vastu practitioner