The last two months have featured articles that touched on the application of the water formula and placement of water in feng shui for the home. For this issue, let's set the record straight on some common misconceptions on how water is used in classical feng shui.
Myth #1: Water equals wealth
There's a Chinese saying that literally translates into English as "Water is money" or "Water equals money". In Cantonese, the word "water" is also often used to refer to "money". This is perhaps where the confusion originated, where it is thought that water has a direct co-relation with wealth, or it symbolizes wealth flowing into the house. The extreme assumption is that more water present in and around the house means more wealth for its occupants.
In classical feng shui, water is regarded as the foremost representation of the yang element. It does not symbolise, equate with or directly refer to wealth. It doesn't create, attract or generate wealth in the sense of dollars and cents either. Water is merely an activator in feng shui, and among one of the aspects that water can have a positive effect on are wealth as well as health and relationship. So it's not just about money.
Myth #2: Water dragon formula can make you a billionaire
Hanging a picture of water in a room does nothing to affect feng shui in any way. It's just a picture!
We all know everyone wants to be a billionaire. There's even a song about it. But the whole notion for a water formula that can make you rich beyond your imagination is solely based on erroneous assumptions that water creates wealth qi.
Water's role is to circulate, gather, move and activate qi. It doesn't generate the qi, and that includes wealth qi as well. Thus, assuming that water alone is responsible for creating wealth is absolutely wrong.
Myth #3: Roving eyes & right side water
This theory claims that water on the right side of the house will lead to a roving eye or affairs by the man of the house. This is simply a stubborn old wives' tale that refuses to go away and is totally false.
There is no mention of such a principle in the classical texts on feng shui. The only time Water can cause a problem with marital relationships or straying is if it happens to activate a "peach blossom star" in the property. This "peach blossom star" can be located anywhere and not necessarily on the right hand side of the property or main door.
Myth #4: It's all about the fish
Many people assume that the number, type or colour of the fish in an aquarium is intimately connected to the feng shui quotient of the property. Although the fish seem to be getting all the credit here, it has absolutely no effect on the feng shui of the property.
The fish are only used for aesthetic purposes and to make it less obvious that you're using feng shui. You could simply place a pump in an aquarium and leave it to circulate the water and keep it active. That's all it takes to apply the water formula. The fish are optional.
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