The Water Element: Communication & Reflection

The fifth of Feng Shui’s Five Elements is Water, an essential part of a well-balanced environment.

When it’s moving, Water symbolizes social activity and communication; when it’s still, Water represents clarity, reflection and the search for truth.

Water also represents cash flow for a business — this is why so many businesses have water features like fountains in their lobbies!

Just in case you can’t (or don’t want to) have an actual water fountain in your home, here are a few other ways to add this wonderful refreshing element to your space.

1. Paint it black.

1. Paint it black.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water’s depth is represented by black or very dark colors. But I think this bathroom might take the idea of a “water closet” to extremes!!

2. Clear furniture!

2. Clear furniture!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clear things also symbolize Water. Elegant, ghostly chairs like this one will definitely bring “something to talk about” into a space :)

Water-element painting

3. Sinuous patterns in a painting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The painting above the couch shows how to represent Water with irregular, sinuous designs, echoing the way water makes its way through the landscape.

How are you bringing Water into your space?

  • http://budurl.com/AllThings Alison Lee Cousland

    Your examples have expanded my feeling for objects that can represent the elements.

    I’ve placed a beautiful crystal bowl (that was my grandmother’s so it holds special value for me) in the shade of some arum lilies that grow in my garden, just outside my studio door.

    The bowl now contains a clear quartz crystal and is filled with fresh water every time the garden is watered * Which is frequently now in summer.

    Sometimes I’ll place a single flower in the bowl, but more often than not I just leave it with water as I love the simplicity of still water.

    Star, my friend’s dog has recently become very attracted to drinking from this mini lake. So now Sylvia fills it with pure water from our Water from Air machine.

    Which must make for even better feng shui for my studio?

    • http://openspacesfengshui.com Ann

      Alison, Thanks so much for your insightful comment. I love to hear how people apply the principles of Feng Shui in their homes and it sounds like you’re doing a beautiful job. The crystal bowl sounds absolutely beautiful — crystal also being a symbol of Water. And I love to picture Star drinking from the bowl — a very auspicious combination of Water and Fire energies!! All the best — Ann

  • Deborah M. Batterson

    Great information! Love your new web site!

     By the way, that clear chair is a 2009 updated version of Phillip Webb’s 1865 Sussex Chair. He was the friend and designer of  William Morris, the leader of the English Arts and Crafts Movement, A very famous chair, with historical significance, indeed!

    Deborah M. Batterson, instructor at the Metropolitan Institute of Design and former student of the WONDERFUL Ann Gallops!

    • Anonymous

      Deborah — thank you! I love your comment, which shows how “clearly” ;) the past is brought to life in the present.

      And thank you also for the kind words — so glad we met at the MID!