Feng Shui and Doors
When we first envisioned this issue of our monthly newsletter - we kind of thought we would focus solely on the front door and why it is important for homes, businesses, apartments, etc. But as we started researching, we found cool tips for other types of doors too. So, we expanded a bit and are really talking all doors.
It's a fun topic because doors are integral parts of pathways into and through our homes and businesses. Do they open and close easily - do they stick - do they bang into other doors or get in the way? If any or all of those are present, then your energy probably isn't flowing through your space easily and smoothly and that is less than excellent Feng Shui. Oh, and did we mention items stuck behind doors or clutter so that the door doesn't open all the way? Yep, that's a thing too.
We hope you enjoy this collection of articles as much as we do! See you next time, ❤️ the International Feng Shui Guild
P.S. Remember last month - we talked about the command position and the importance of having a view to the door from inside a space. Another reason why doors are so important! 🚪
The Mouth of Chi
"The main entrance of a home is not just a means of entering the house. It is considered to be the ‘gateway that leads to victory and abundance in life. The main entrance is one of the most important areas of one’s home – it is an entry point to the Qi flowing into the house, also called Qi mouth.
"Our homes may have multiple entrances apart from our front door. There might be the door of a garage, a back door, and/or a side door. While it isn’t ‘wrong’ to have more than one entrance, what matters is what we use the most. We don’t want the energy to get confused. So we focus on one single entry. For good feng shui it is also important to know the direction or facing of the front door; because each entry point has a different energy, influencing the house and people living in it.
"We all want to gather the auspicious Qi coming into the house."
10 Front Door Feng Shui Tips
from Lisa Ystrom of Intentional Living Feng Shui
We love this article because Lisa makes it simple. Tips anyone can do to make the most of their front entrance - whether home, business, apartment or condo. Even down to making sure the hinges are oiled. Which tip is your favorite?
Feng Shui Your Front Door
from Dee Oujiri of The Feng Shui Edit
While this article is also about the front door, Dee takes a delightful approach to embracing the magic in front doors. She shares how to explore personal style with Feng Shui wisdom, embrace Feng Shui essentials, and infuse magic onto your door. Who else could do with a little magic?
Quick Tip - What's behind that front door?
Ming Tang – The Bright Hall
From Jillian Rothschild-Scholar of Feng Shui in Motion, "one important tool used to enhance good Feng Shui is a strong entry point for the Qi/energy."
"A Ming Tang, a.k.a The Bright Hall, is the entry point into a home or business. It is typically an open area, either just inside or outside a home or business. It is a design feature, a physical space. The purpose of the Ming Tang is to accumulate energy and allow it to settle as it transitions from the outside world to the inner world of a home or business. It allows the person to begin to adjust to the ambiance of the space.
"In a home, this may be where you leave your shoes, coat and outside persona behind. You begin to relax and adjust to being a more private person than you were in public. In a business, it could be a reception or seating area. This is where you become ready to interact in a business setting.
"Since this is often the initial image people see, a Ming Tang is an invitation into your world. It is how you present yourself or your business. It gives the first impression, announces your identity."
Don't you love that? 😊
So what happens when you have a challenge with the doors inside your home...
In one example, long time expert Katherine Metz shares her ideas about "difficult doors" and the importance of really looking at your spaces. It's not just the rooms we live in. It's also the way we move through our buildings.
"We know that every door has a voice: a private voice or a public voice, the voice of an adult or the voice of a boy as he becomes a man, the voice of one’s own inner conflict or the voice of interpersonal dysfunction.
Every door, even one that has been removed during a remodel, is calling for our attention. It is important that we pay attention. Every door can tell us more than we could have imagined! For instance:
- If someone is acting in a strange and unusual manner, you must look to the doors.
- If you have nagging problems of all kinds, you must look to the main door.
- The health of the liver, bile, and digestive system is directly related to how we use our doors.
- A common design detail at the main door can suggest the lack of a bright future.
- The mouth is directly related to a particular type of door.
And Kathryn Wilking reminds us to look at "arguing doors." Kathryn says, "when a closet door opens and collides with the bedroom door, or the washroom door, you have irritation and a logistics problem. I know there is more going on than just the obvious."
She also says the easiest way to start looking at your space and the door flow is to "keep things simple." Closets shouldn't be so small that you can't hang up your clothes. Adding more storage type spaces can often reduce the room size making it harder to navigate with the needs of doors. Bifolds, sliding doors, pocket doors, or even curtains could make a huge difference.
Similar situations can happen in tight quarters when setting up an office:
- When filing cabinets cannot be open fully.
- When the coat closet is behind the door.
- When an open storage closet blocks the main isle.
- When a washroom door is too tight to actually get into the washroom.
"If you have a loving relationship with your partner, yet arguments surface regularly in the same area, look for arguing doors in that space. All doors should be evaluated in order to avoid stress on the family."
Bet you never thought of doors like this before 😊 and now you won't see doors in the same way ever again. Rule of thumb, if something is irritating you in your space - try to do something about it. Move it, shift it, get rid of it, gift it, change it. Don't live with the irritation. And besides, you can change it back if you need to.
Front Door Directions
In Classical Feng Shui, the compass direction or orientation of the front door can be an important factor when using Feng Shui. It’s not just about making the door pretty or accessible. It’s also about understanding and aligning the direction of the house to the ideal directions of the inhabitants. Classically trained consultants use detailed methods and compass readings, the birth date of the home and the birth dates of the inhabitants, and more, to identify the ideal “facing direction” that is best for you.
Consultants in all perspectives will look at the natural environment – ie trees, mountains, water features, as well as manmade structures – ie buildings with poison arrows, roads, infrastructure. And the flow of the energy through the home or building is important to all perspectives as well. But if Classical or Compass Feng Shui resonates most with you, directions become extremely important. A trained professional can help you find your best directions, work with the home you have or help you identify your dream home, and give annual guidance and support. ❤️
Final Thoughts...Why Arches Still Matter 🏛️
from Abbie Barker of Modern Dragon Feng Shui
Arches are timeless. Found across civilisations, from Roman aqueducts to temples, cathedrals and gardens, they offer more than structure. They shape how we move through space and how space moves through us. They speak of strength, soft power and grace under tension.
1️⃣ Sense of Flow
Arches guide us gently, inviting movement from space to space. There is no force, only rhythm. They create ease, connection and continuity.
2️⃣ Psychological Comfort
Curves calm the nervous system. Where sharp lines alert, arches soften. They offer serenity, openness and safety.
3️⃣ Expansive Perception
Walking through an arch can spark transformation. These moments invite possibility and quiet courage.
4️⃣ Symbolism Across Time
Arches have symbolised resilience and thoughtful design across cultures. In sacred spaces, they lift the gaze. In gardens, they frame beauty. They endure because they hold meaning.
5️⃣ Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Sequence
Many arches reflect natural proportions found in the golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence. These patterns bring balance that feels deeply familiar.
6️⃣ Feng Shui and Chinese Philosophy
In traditional Chinese gardens, arches guide chi, the life force flowing through all. Rooted in Daoist harmony and Confucian balance, they support a dialogue between movement and stillness.
7️⃣ Design that Holds Us
Arches are graceful and strong. They carry weight with ease, distributing pressure without resistance. Strength sometimes curves. Sometimes it yields.
✨ Have you noticed how a curved shape makes you feel?
"So many doors will open when you realize it's ok to start over. Remember that."
~~unknown
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