Feng Shui Garden And Landscape Design

Chinese gardens originated from the art form called Shan Shui, meaning mountain-water. All Feng Shui garden landscape designs therefore incorporate mountain (Shan) and water (Shui) energy. Mountain energy symbolizes good health, harmony and stability. It is yang, strong, hard, tall and vertical. One can identify this energy in actual mountains, higher terrain and mounds. Virtual mountain energy can be realized in boulders, raised planting beds and walls.

In Feng Shui water symbolizes the potential for wealth. Water energy is yin, soft, flat and horizontal. One can identify this energy in actual water such as ponds, pools and fountains. Virtual water energy can be realized in pathways and a river of stones.

The 4 main ingredients considered for your garden and landscape:

Heart: this is the focal point of your yard; it defines the intention of your outdoor space
Threshold: that which defines your personal space from public space
Pathway: that which invites and draws you and nature's life-force into and through your garden and landscape
Accents: carefully selected enhancements that elicit positive feelings, artfully enrich your scenery and encourage rest and relaxation

"If the individual temporarily abandons human will and so allows himself to be guided by nature, nature responds by providing everything." --Masanobu Fukuoka

Feng Shui methods used to assess your surroundings are:

Yin and Yang: complimentary systems which create depth and dimension
Armchair Theory: creates boundaries that attract vibrant chi and also supports and protects you
Space & Time: tells us where to place certain features; defines influences on occupants based on eight directions and tells us when to do certain activities
Occupants: reveals the unique relationship between you and your property
Land Shape and Contours: the form and condition of the property reveals the adjustments and corrections required to avoid energy leaks, create symmetry and improve energy flow
Advanced Flying Star: most important is when and where to locate water and mountain energy

A flourishing garden reveals a healthy Feng Shui site. Design your site according to Feng Shui principles for greater vitality and prosperity and to establish a platform for inner serenity and healing.