Feng Shui Water Features and Fountains

Professional Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology Courses

Most people know that Feng Shui means wind and water, but not necessarily why water, where it is placed within our environment and how it flows, is so important. Simply put, the natural forces of air (or wind) and water interact with one another, and during this process, they change form and release energy into the environment. Water features are not just "very popular" in Feng Shui; they are a necessary part of it. Unfortunately, there is much misunderstanding about the use of water in Feng Shui, where water features and fountains should be placed, and what they represent. So let's first dispel some of the myths and common misconceptions about indoor water features and fountains.

Water Feature Myths

Flowing water on its own does not represent "money" or "income" and simply putting a water fountain in your home or business will not make you instantly rich. More accurately, it represents your performance, because correctly placed flowing water stimulates you to make the right decisions and perform the right actions, at the right time. By being in the right place at the right time and in making the best decisions, life is less stressful and ultimately, wealth and success flows to everyone within the space.

Equally, simply installing a water fountain will not rid you of "negative" energy. In fact, quite the opposite; if water is in the wrong place, life for those living or working within the space can become much more stressful or difficult. Correct placement of any water feature or foundation is vital, and despite what you may read in books or on websites, without proper Feng Shui analysis of your home or business and its surroundings, we cannot simply say, "place it by the main door", or "in the north"; it all depends upon the precise energy of your space and your environment.

Water in any form, either by naturally occurring lakes, rivers, or seas, or by man-made structures such as canals, rills and water fountains, has an effect on us, either negatively or positively. If having placed a water feature or fountain in or around your home, life becomes more difficult, the best thing to do is switch if off and drain the water out! Then seek professional Feng Shui advice as to where to site your water feature so that it brings positive results.

Colour, material and size of your fountain

How your water feature or fountain looks is a matter of personal choice. There are no hard and fast rules as to the size, colour and material that can be used, but your fountain should not be too large for the space and should complement the interior design or garden landscaping. If your water fountain is destined for the garden of a country cottage, a rustic, stone fountain is appropriate. However, if you live in a modern apartment, you will probably want a sleek looking metal or ceramic water feature to fit with the aesthetics of the space. In deeper levels of Feng Shui, the colour and material may be important, but again, this is specific to the energy of your personal space and a qualified Feng Shui consultant will advise you.

The shape of your water feature

Some fountains are more efficient than others at releasing energy into a space. The more surface area your fountain has, the more water will be exposed to the air, and the more energy is transformed. A spherical water feature has a large surface area and is very efficient, as is one that holds the water in a bowl shaped container. Of course, the more efficient your water feature is at interacting with the air through the evaporation and condensation processes, the more often you need to top it up, but providing it is in the right place, the more beneficial energy you are receiving from it!

Flow Form Water Features

Whether it is a large garden or a small, back garden pond, naturally moving water helps to provide a healthy environment for wildlife and animals. Moving water also helps people to reconnect with nature, and garden designers often use the power of flowing water to bring a garden to life. The direction of the water flow is incredibly important to success, and must follow the laws of nature in both its clockwise or anticlockwise circulation, the laws of which correspond to advanced Feng Shui techniques like Flying Star Feng Shui and the practice of what are known as "Feng Shui water techniques" or "Water Dragons". You can learn about Water Dragons and how to incorporate them into an outside space during classes or courses at a Recommended Feng Shui School.

Flowform water sculptures allow water to move in rhythmic patterns, helping maintain a healthy aquatic ecology with clear, oxygenated water. They support garden ponds and have proved especially valuable in pond and wetland systems for waste-water treatment. The water enters in a steady flow, and then, due to the specific shape of the container, the water interacts with the surfaces to create a swinging or pulsing movement in a sustained, rhythmic flow. This can be compared to creating rhythmic air movement (and ultimately, sound) in a wind instrument. In fact, the shape of any one design of Flowform may take months, or even years to perfect; it really is like tuning a musical instrument!

Since the initial discovery of this phenomenon in 1970, a wide range of designs have been created. There are small Flowforms with delicate water movements suitable for smaller enclosed spaces, and much larger forms with very vigorous movements that can enliven larger gardens, open spaces and natural swimming pools. In some, the movements are reminiscent of a heartbeat, in others of a slower ‘breathing’. Some give a musical tinkling, others produce a sound more like that of waves lapping on a shoreline. These qualities have proved especially valuable in therapeutic situations and school environments.

If you are interested in learning more about Flow Form water features, please contact us for further details.