Understanding Feng Shui and the Bagua Map

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is a Chinese practice that seeks to balance and optimize the flow of energy, known as chi, in a given space. Feng Shui offers guidance to help us arrange our furniture, objects,  and structures in a way that encourages good energy flow and a positive influence on the well-being of individuals.

What is the Bagua Map?

A Bagua map is a tool in feng shui that can help practitioners understand the energy distribution within a space. The Bagua map uses a grid that represents different areas of life, such as wealth, health, relationships, and career. Each zone of the Bagua correlates to specific colors, elements, and qualities. By creating a Bagua map using the floor plan of your home you can better understand the flow of energy and make adjustments to support a harmonious environment. 

What are the 9 Zones in the Bagua Map?

The 9 zones of Feng Shui can be mapped out using a Bagua map, there are different interpretations of how to map out your space. Some methods use an octagon and a compass to determine energy flow and zones; however, I prefer the front door method using a square grid wherein I place the bottom of the Bagua map at my apartment entrance. 

How I used the Bagua Map in my apartment.

Each zone has complex energy cycles and guiding principles to help harmonize a space as well as associated numbers, elements, shapes, and colors. Reading from top left to bottom right the 9 zones are as follows:

Wealth & Abundance: this zone is associated with financial prosperity, abundance, and material wealth. Number: 4 Element: Soft Wood Shape: Rectangle Color: Purple, Green
	Fame & Reputation: this zone relates to reputation, recognition, and social standing. Number: 9 Element: Fire Shape: Triangle Color: Red
Love & Relationships: this zone governs love, relationships, and marriage. Number: 2 Element: Earth Shape: Square Color: Pink, Red, White
	Family & Health: this zone is connected to family relationships, health, and overall well-being. Number: 3 Element: Wood Shape: Rectangle Color: Green, Blue
Spiritual Well-Being: the center zone represents balance, grounding, and overall harmony within the space. Number: 5 Element: Earth  Shape: Square Color: Yellow or Earth tones
	Creativity & Children: this zone governs creativity, artistic pursuits, and the well-being of children. Number: 7 Element: Soft Metal Shape: Round Color: White, Silver
Knowledge & Self-Cultivation: this zone relates to knowledge, self-improvement, and personal growth. Number: 8 Element: Earth Shape: Square Color: Blue, Green, Black
	Career & Life Purpose: this zone governs career, life path, and professional success. Number: 1 Element: Water Shape: Free-Form Color: Black or Dark Blue
Helpful People & Travel: this zone is associated with attracting helpful people into your life, travel, and support systems. Number: 6 Element: Metal Shape: Round, Oval Color: Gray, White, Black

How Each Sticker Represents the 9 Zones of the Bagua Map in Feng Shui.

Feng Shui is a guide that offers rules from furniture layout to home construction. Enhancing an aspect of your life can involve decluttering a zone or adding an element meant to represent growth in that area such as placing a money plant in your wealth zone or displaying your diploma in your fame zone. In my own home, I like to arrange my furniture with these zones in mind. For instance, I put my art desk in the power position of my creativity zone and placed framed pictures of my loved ones in my family zone. 

Ultimately Feng Shui is meant to create a space that has an energy flow that supports good well-being. I believe my energy is enhanced most significantly by my mindset, so I like to establish a space that most positively affects that mindset. Placing reminders for myself and arranging my zones intentionally help me in living a happy and healthy life! 

The information provided here is a general overview, and individual preferences, cultural beliefs, and personal experiences may lead to different practices. It is recommended to explore multiple sources and consult with a qualified feng shui practitioner to tailor the practice to your specific needs and circumstances. However, if you want to learn more about Feng Shui and deep dive into the world of energy magic here are some of my recommendations: 

Learn More About Feng Shui and the Bagua Map: 

A Master Course in Feng-Shui: An In-Depth Program for Learning to Choose, Design, and Enhance the Spaces Where We Live and Work

By Eva Wong, this fully illustrated, comprehensive workbook is designed primarily for homeowners, renters, architects, and business owners who want to put feng-shui to practical personal use—to choose a home, build a house, select an office, or find a retail space.

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Feng Shui Modern by Cliff Tan 

In an increasingly cramped world, a modern guide to opening up your living space-and your life-using the ancient principles of feng shui.