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In this article, we will explain the golden section (ratio, mean), and describe its use in conjunction with feng shui to improve homes and apartments.

One of the most ardent fans of the golden ratio was Pythagoras – an ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, scientist, and mystic, who lived in Greece in the VI century BC. Pythagoras was convinced that there is harmony in nature, which can be expressed through numbers and proportions. He was also convinced that these proportions can be used in home design and architecture. Using his theory of proportion, you can "move" the energy in the house from where it serves poorly to where it will start serving favorably.

Pythagoras declared certain proportional relationships, which he considered ideal. He called it the Golden mean/ratio/rectangle. This value is 1:1.618. This value is found everywhere in nature. One example can be a shell, where each part is identical to the other parts by form. Although these parts differ in size, they have the same proportions.

The golden ratio can also be found in the human body. The famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci – the Vitruvian Man - relates the proportions of the human body with various geometric figures, and is a good example of the described ratio.

The Golden section is a tool that is available to everyone, and that can be used in your home to improve its influence on those who live there. To define this number for any room, do as follows: measure the width of the room and multiply it by 1.618. Thus, you will get the desired length for this area. For example, if the width of the room is 20 feet, multiply 20 by 1.618 and you will get 32.36 feet for the desired length of this room. There’s no need to follow the resulting number to the inch – it will suffice if you follow it approximately.

The principle of the golden mean can be used in one-room studio apartments that consist of one large room with a kitchen, office, and bedroom, all in one room. Feng-shui of such apartments is usually very poor. However, if you own a studio apartment, do not despair! Just follow the basic principles of space organization, make the necessary adjustments, and you will be able to improve everything. The studio can be divided into several golden rectangles, so that each part is proportional.

If it’s a long and narrow space, you can use flowers and furniture as a room divider. If you don’t want to divide the room this way, you can use items that correspond to the golden proportion by their dimensions, such as mirrors, paintings, coffee tables, or aquariums. You can use the same rules for garden landscape design. The golden ratio and feng shui can help to improve any home, garden, office, as well as any other area.

Feng shui has gained its popularity all over the world, and its positive influence has spread far beyond the Asian countries. You can hear about this ancient art from newspapers, magazines and television. However, the information that you may hear carries one major drawback: the principles of this teaching are often seen as an absolute rule, rather than recommendations to be adapted to each specific location and circumstances.

Remember: the theory of five elements represents merely a solid informational base. With its help you can adapt the principles of feng shui to each specific situation, instead of trying to following them as a dogma.

Now, it’s time to discuss the water element and see how to use its properties the right way.

Water is considered to be the primal, essential element. It’s as ancient and mysterious as the sea, which gave life to humankind. Before the first mirror was made (over 5 thousand years ago), people used to look at their reflections in the water. It’s also a spiritual symbol, which hides many mysteries. Furthermore, the very name of "Feng Shui" translates as "wind and water". As you can see, this element is truly a primal one. Now that we know just how essential it is, let’s also review the features of the feng shui water element.

The color of this element is blue, dark blue, and black. Its direction is north. Its symbol is the turtle. It has more Yin than Yan. It fits well with metal, and it doesn't fit with earth or wood. Its symbols are: glass, mirrors, aquariums, rounded and wavy objects, as well as paintings depicting fish in their habitat. The talismans have wavy lines, as the element is variable and unpredictable. The element can be represented by the views of the ocean, lake, river, stream or a swimming pool.

Water has a cleansing and refreshing effect. If you use it skillfully, you will be able to regain strength and relieve fatigue. The excess of this element can lead to lethargy and despair, and can turn you into a thin-skinned and insecure person.

The House of Water: These are houses that face south. They may have curved patterned walls, which will simulate waves. The façade design can have black and blue colors in it, to enhance the element. It’s recommended to avoid green or wooden flooring in such houses, as the wood element saps the feng shui water element.

You obviously don’t need to build a new house to introduce this element to your home. Simply place a crystal vase with water or a shallow bowl with translucent stones in your home.

The world is always a balance of all the 5 elements. However, we have dissociated ourselves from nature by high walls, forgetting about the universal harmony. To achieve the best in this respect, try to make sure that each room in your home possesses the energy of all the 5 elements. If in any room there's a serious shortage of any element, the equilibrium needed for harmony may be disrupted.

This commander was so revered for his heroic feats that after his death, the Chinese started to believe religiously in his spiritual protection and patronage. In the 12th century, Kuan received the title of Duke and then Prince, and in the 16th century, he received a posthumous title of Emperor and God.

These days, the Emperor Kuan is still considered to be one of the main deities of China -he is the defender of the country, the patron saint of crafts (including trade), the god of abundance and literature, the god of war, as well as the patron saint of the police, Chinese mafia and business people.

He is also so popular today because he is considered to be the patron deity of wealth. You can find his figurines and images sold in any Chinese shops or online.

The Chinese believe that they need to be protected from harmful external influences, and that this can be achieved only by appealing to protective gods, especially the Gods of War. Kuan Kung is the most popular deity of war that can grant this kind of protection. The Chinese say that he is so fierce in supporting a home that demons and evil spirits will not dare to enter a house, the entrance of which is protected by the image or figurine of Emperor Kuan.

The Kuan's image / figurine can often be found in the living rooms of Chinese houses, facing the door so that the incoming people first pay their respects to him. Alternatively, this image / figurine can be placed in the northwest bagua sector of a home or individual room. The northwest bagua sector is responsible for Helpers and Travel.

There are also some affirmations that can be pronounced for attracting good people and safe trips. These affirmations need to be pronounced a few times in the sector of Helpers and Travel, where you place Kuan Kung. Following are sample affirmations: "I am always lucky with helpers. I am always surrounded by friendly and loving people. The world is filled with wonderful people, and I always meet them. Traveling is great. I love the road and I trust it. My road always shows a green light. Traveling brings me joy. I have the right to receive assistance and support from other people. I deserve it."

The image of Kuan Kung can come in a number of designs. One of the popular ones is a bronze figurine of this deity that shows him in a peaceful posture. Another popular option is a small canvas with his image, which can be hung on a wall.

Kuan is one of the most powerful protection symbols that could guard anyone's home from malevolent people, evil spirits and negative energy. This god can also bring us success, happiness and wealth. This talisman can become a perfect gift for someone you truly love and care about, such as your family and friends.