Unexpected – But Perfect? – Feng Shui

There’s been so much snow lately that the kids in my neighborhood have filled the local park with big, comfortable igloos (and a few snowpeople, too, of course).

When I mentioned this to some friends one of them asked, what is the Feng Shui of igloos, anyway?

It turns out that igloos actually have excellent Feng Shui.

To begin with they’re perfectly round. The circle is the most perfect of shapes; it represents endless possibilities and the human spirit. In Feng Shui the circle is a powerful Yang symbol representing Heaven.

Secondly igloos have a single entrance, which is very clearly defined. There’s no confusion about where Chi (and human) energy can enter the space. The entry is very small, opening up into the welcoming warmth of the igloo itself, similar to Feng Shui’s “Bright Hall.”

Lastly igloos have a smoke-hole in the center of the roof. Chi energy wants to leave a space through a different opening than the one it entered by. It gets stuck in spaces with just one opening, like closets or basements.

So the smoke-hole gives Chi energy a way to leave the igloo after making its way around inside.

Can you think of anything I forgot? Let me know in the Comments!

Comments

1. That’s interesting, Ann. Short, sweet and to the point. But this now has me wondering about other round structures, say yurts, tipis, etc. I suppose the FS for those is quite similar.

   Comment by Mark Sofman — March 2, 2010 @ 2:23 pm

2. Yes, it would all be the same type of situation. Lots of other cultures use the circular shape in similar ways without necessarily calling it Feng Shui.

   Comment by Ann — March 2, 2010 @ 2:28 pm

3. What about geodesic domes? (Bucky Fuller! Weird coincidence alert!)

   Also, what’s more important in Feng Shui, the physical structure (be it building, room, etc) or the structure’s use?

   Comment by Mark Sofman — March 3, 2010 @ 11:55 am

4. Hmm — I’ll have to give geodesic domes a little thought. My memory of them is not so positive as igloos and tipis. Do you have pics you can send?

   Hope you don’t mind but I like your second question so much that I’ll just go ahead and answer it in tomorrow’s blog post

   Comment by Ann — March 3, 2010 @ 12:18 pm

5. It appears there are many variants of geodesic domes, based on use, # of door/window openings, location, etc. Here’s a sampling:
   http://www.essential-architecture.com/ARCHITECT/fuller-dome.jpg
   http://www.facts.net.au/graphics/dome1.jpg
   http://randallbutisingh.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/fuller-and-dome.png
   http://z.about.com/d/architecture/1/0/C/o/geodesicdome02.jpg
   http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~mgb/polepiccies/99092sF.jpg
   http://www.sriyantraresearch.com/Optimal/geodesic%20dome.gif
   http://www.inhabitat.com/images/bfullerstamp.jpg

   Comment by Mark Sofman — March 3, 2010 @ 12:59 pm

6. Wow — ok, this is now a project! thanks

   Comment by Ann — March 3, 2010 @ 1:25 pm

7. Yes, you forgot one BIG thing! The BIIIGG smiles on the faces of the kids who are enjoying them!! Yes – that is perfect Feng Shui. When you enter your “home” and you feel great! In fact, this big kid made some really cool igloos about 10 yrs ago when my kids were little. Not so much now : ( But I am inspired! Have to wait to next winter – I think ; )

   Comment by Maureen Calamia — March 4, 2010 @ 10:14 am

8. Thanks for pointing this out, Maureen — great point. It’s fun, too, to see the kids going into each others’ igloos and going, “oooh, aaahh!” Admiring each others’ handiwork…

   Comment by Ann — March 5, 2010 @ 2:38 pm

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