Water features heavily in Feng Shui — after all, the term “Feng Shui” literally means “wind” and “water”.

Much has been written about water within Feng Shui; in fact, there are many books dedicated solely to the subject of water in Feng Shui. With so much information being bandied around — how much of it is fact, and how much of it is myth? If we are going to follow the principles of Classical Feng Shui, you should take the time to examine whether there is any credible theory behind what you hear, especially when it comes to quick Feng Shui cures associated with water.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular myths associated with water.

Myth #1: Put “Feng Shui” fish in the aquarium

This is one of the most popular misconceptions. There is the notion that certain exotic species of fishes are considered Feng Shui fishes. The truth is, a fish is just a fish and it does not matter what species, colour or number. Fishes do absolutely nothing in terms of influencing one’s Feng Shui quotient. The aquarium, however, is a different matter.

The principle behind the use of aquariums is to activate Qi. It would seem peculiar to place a tank of water somewhere. Hence, fishes are added to make it visually pleasing. The truth is, it would have fulfilled its Feng Shui purpose to just install a pump in the aquarium to circulate the water and leave the fishes out.

Myth #2: Water equates to wealth

This is a classic example of how a saying can take on a life of its own. Water is frequently associated with money owing to a literal translation from the Chinese saying that “water is money”. This has led to the belief that water can lead to prosperity — water representing flow of wealth into the house; or perhaps the most worrying misconception is that “more water means more money”.

The fact is that water has an overall positive impact in aiding Qi flow. In Classical Feng Shui, water serves as a symbol of the Yang element. Contrary to popular belief, water is not a literal reference to wealth, nor does it result in the multiplication of money. Water is an activator and its effects are not limited to wealth but also health and relationships.

Myth #3: Water Dragon Formula can make you rich

It can be safely assumed that almost everyone wants to become a billionaire, own luxury cars and live in villas by the sea. Some people theorise that having ample water elements around them can make them rich. This stems from the misconception that water is directly associated with wealth and that water produces Qi. As a result, some individuals have come up with so-called “top secret” Feng Shui formulae such as the Water Dragon Formula, which encourages people to replicate certain water features through artificial means.

Water does not create Qi, but it functions as a collector and circulator of the existing Qi in a premise. The idea that water is the bearer of wealth is baseless.

Myth #4: Any water will do, including images of water

In order to get the maximum benefits of Feng Shui in your home, first and foremost, you need to have the real deal. Having said that, adding water elements in and around your premises does not include hanging pictures of water on the wall. Yes, there are instances where people hang images of water in their homes and wait for miracles to happen.

Here is the bottomline: If you want to get positive Qi flow from the water element, include real H2O in your interior design.

Myth #5: Roving eyes and right side water

Another famous notion is that having water on the right side of the house can cause the man of the house to have affairs. This is a preposterous misconception as there is no evidence of principles or texts suggesting this in Classical Feng Shui.

The only instance where water can result in extramarital relationships is when it inadvertently activates the Peach Blossom star within the property. Having said that, this could be located anywhere on the property and not just on the right side of the house.

These are just a few misconceptions regarding water in Feng Shui. There are more out there causing confusion. Therefore, to allow the flow of water to positively affect the Feng Shui of your home and your family, it is of utmost importance for you to differentiate the truth from myths.