The Middle Kingdom

Discover the wisdom, myths, and beauty of Chinese culture.

5 Feng Shui Bed Placement Rules for Better Sleep and Energy

What Is the Commanding Position? The most important principle in bedroom feng shui. Your bed should be placed diagonally opposite the bedroom door, with a solid wall behind the headboard, and you should be able to see the door while lying in bed without being directly in line with it. Rule 1: Never Place Your Bed in Line with the Door This position, called the “coffin position” or “death position,” places your feet pointing directly at the door. It creates subconscious unease and was traditionally reserved for carrying the deceased out of a room. ...

6 Feng Shui Tips for Your Home Office to Boost Productivity

1. Choose the Right Room If possible, choose a room that is not also your bedroom. Mixing work and sleep energy creates mental conflict. 2. Face the Door (Commanding Position) Same principle as above — position your desk diagonally opposite the door. 3. Declutter Your Workspace A cluttered desk directly impacts your ability to focus. Clear surfaces = clear thinking. 4. Bring in Nature A small plant, a bowl of stones, or even a photo of a forest scene introduces the wood element, which governs growth and creativity. ...

Feng Shui Bedroom Colors for Love, Peace, and Better Sleep

The Five Elements and Color Feng shui works with five elements: Wood (green), Fire (red), Earth (brown/yellow), Metal (white/gray), and Water (blue/black). Each color carries a different energy. Best Colors for Sleep Soft earth tones (warm beige, light terracotta, muted sand) and gentle blues create the most restful bedroom environment. These colors lower heart rate and promote relaxation. Colors for Love and Romance Soft pink (associated with the Love area), warm peach, and rose quartz tones support romantic energy. Avoid aggressive reds — save those for accent pillows only. ...

Feng Shui Feng Shui Front Door Rules: What to Do When It Faces Stairs

Why a Front Door Facing Stairs Is Problematic When your front door directly faces a staircase, energy (chi) entering your home rushes straight up or down instead of circulating through the living space. This is called “leaking chi” and can create a sense of instability. Facing Up vs. Facing Down Stairs going up: Energy rushes upstairs, leaving the main floor depleted Stairs going down: Energy descends and “drains” out through the door 5 Practical Solutions A decorative screen or room divider — blocks the direct line from door to stairs A wind chime — hung between the door and stairs to slow energy flow A round or oval rug — placed at the door to “gather” energy before it escapes A plant — a tall, full plant near the base of the stairs redirects chi A mirror — placed on the wall opposite the stairs to visually redirect flow FAQ: Is It Bad Feng Shui for the Front Door to Face Stairs? It is not catastrophic, but it is considered a “poison arrow” — a direct line of energy that needs to be softened. Any of the solutions above will effectively remedy it.

How Decluttering Your House Releases Blocked Chi (Energy)

What Is Chi and How Does Clutter Block It? Chi is the life force energy that flows through all spaces. Think of it like a river. Clutter is like a dam — it stops the flow, causing energy to stagnate. Stagnant chi creates heavy, low-energy environments. The Bedroom: Start Here Your bedroom directly affects your sleep and relationships. Clear surfaces, organized closets, and nothing stored under the bed. The Living Room: Open Spaces for Connection The living room is where family energy gathers. Keep pathways clear. Remove broken furniture. Let chi circulate freely through the seating area. ...

How to Find and Activate the Wealth Corner in Your Living Room

What Is the Wealth Corner? The wealth corner (also called the money corner or prosperity area) is the southeast area of your home according to the Bagua map. When you stand at your living room entrance facing in, it is the far left corner. How to Find It Stand at the entrance to your living room facing inward. Locate the far left back corner — that is your wealth area. If the wall is cut or missing, use the dominant wall space in that zone. 5 Ways to Activate Your Wealth Corner A Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) — round leaves resemble coins A Small Water Feature — flowing water represents money flow Purple or Red Accents — these colors activate wealth energy Crystals — citrine or pyrite (fool’s gold) attract abundance A Healthy Green Plant — symbolizes growth and renewal What NOT to Put in the Wealth Corner Trash bins or clutter Dead or dried plants Electronics that feel chaotic Dark, heavy furniture that blocks flow FAQ: Where Is the Wealth Corner in Feng Shui? In the classical Bagua system, the wealth corner is the southeast area of your home or room. Using the more popular Western BTB method, it is the far left corner from the entrance.

Tai Chi and the Bagua Map: The Foundation of Feng Shui

What Is Tai Chi (Yin and Yang)? The symbol you have seen — a circle split into swirling black and white halves, each containing a dot of the other — is called the Taijitu, or the Tai Chi symbol. It represents the Daoist concept of dualism. But here is what most Western explanations get wrong: Yin and Yang are NOT good versus evil. They are complementary forces that create each other. Day (Yang) cannot exist without night (Yin). Activity (Yang) is meaningless without rest (Yin). Masculine (Yang) defines itself against feminine (Yin). ...

The Commanding Position: How to Set Up Your Desk for Career Success

What Is the Commanding Position? The commanding position is the spot in any room where you can see the door without being directly in line with it, ideally with a solid wall behind you. For a desk, this means you can see who enters while your back is supported. How to Find Your Desk’s Commanding Position Identify the door to your office or room Find the position diagonally opposite the door Ensure your back faces a solid wall (not a window or open hallway) What If You Can’t Achieve the Commanding Position? If your room layout prevents this, use a small mirror on your monitor or desk to reflect the door visually. This is an accepted feng shui remedy. ...

Top 7 Feng Shui Plants That Bring Wealth and Good Luck

1. Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) The king of feng shui wealth plants. Its braided trunk and five-lobed leaves represent the five elements. Place in the wealth corner or near your front door. 2. Lucky Bamboo Not actually bamboo, but Dracaena sanderiana. Each stalk count has meaning: 2 stalks for love, 3 for happiness, 5 for wealth, and 8 for growth. 3. Jade Plant Crassula ovata, also called the money plant. Its round, coin-shaped leaves symbolize prosperity. Thrives in bright light and minimal water. ...

Why a Mirror Facing Your Bed Is Bad Feng Shui (And How to Fix It)

Why Is a Mirror Facing the Bed Considered Bad? Three reasons: (1) The mirror doubles your energy, making the room feel active when it should be restful. (2) Seeing your own movement in the mirror at night can startle you. (3) In traditional feng shui, a mirror facing the bed invites a third party into the relationship. The Psychology Behind It From a neuroscience perspective, your peripheral vision detects movement. A mirror reflects subtle motion — car headlights passing, a pet moving — that your brain registers even during sleep, fragmenting deep rest. ...