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| Feng Shui and Mirrors
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Frequently, Feng Shui practitioners in America utilize mirrors as a cure. We consistently see mirrors being used upon the recommendation of a prior "master." According to one web site, "Mirrors are known to be the aspirin of Feng Shui" (Although I tend to think of them as placebos). What do these mirrors do and how do they affect the Feng Shui in a house or business?
Let me first start out with saying that 168 Feng Shui Advisors recommends the use of mirrors as a bathroom tool to comb your hair by. Beyond that, mirrors only serve a visual or artistic effect. Mirrors have been misrepresented as a Feng Shui "cure" by a lot of practitioners. Here in this country, these practitioners claim that mirrors will reflect negative Chi and spirits. Have you ever tried to reflect heat with a mirror, or perhaps x-rays? Mirrors only reflect light, a narrow area of the energetic spectrum. Chi, defined as "life energy," flows around and through each of us, is not diverted by a four inch, eight edged mirror.
Mirrors have a useful nature. They can be used to hide pillars, to expand the appearance of a room, and to be used in a piece of art. A small restaurant in Monterey Park, California, which we frequent, uses mirrors to hide the support pillars of the restaurant. Without the mirrors, the pillars would divide the room and make the restaurant appear smaller. While this is an architectural remedy, but has nothing to do with the chi of the building. It can be said that from a Feng Shui perspective, it does create a better environment. After all, Feng Shui is about creating a more comfortable and supportive environment. Let me clarify, while mirrors might be recommended as a visual change, they are not a remedy against bad chi.
Traditional Feng Shui utilizes only the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water as remedies to energetic issues in a house or building. Mirrors do not play any part as a remedy. Often you will see mirrored baguas opposing each other on two houses that face each other. Sometimes there will be a bagua feud - the bigger bagua wins. This is not Feng Shui, but rather superstition mixed with egotism. Traditional Feng Shui does not subscribe to mysticism, superstition, or religion.
So how did mirrors get mixed into Feng Shui concepts? It is very likely that one of two things (or perhaps both) created this belief in mirrors. First, in the Middle Ages, mirrors were made of polished brass. A master would suggest that you need a mirror in a certain area. It was not the mirror, but rather the brass (metal element) that would create the remedy.
Another very likely misunderstanding is a very well known Feng Shui book title: "Eight House Mirror Theory." This book says nothing about mirrors as a remedy, but rather, it infers that after performing calculations based on the eight directions, you will have the answer before you as clear as a mirror. Again, people who knew about this book, but did not know or understand its contents probably took the title as a literal recommendation.
Mirrors as stated above, can create an architectural or artistic effect, but are not to be mixed with Feng Shui remedies. If you are looking for a Feng Shui practitioner, be wary of those who prescribe mirrors as a solution to your Feng Shui woes.
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This article is brought to you by |
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Chris Shaul
Co-founder of 168 Feng Shui Advisors, Chris provides Feng Shui services for large corporations, small businesses and individuals across the US and abroad. As a Senior Instructor at the American Feng Shui Institute, he has taught more than 1200 students the practice of Feng Shui from all over the world. Chris lectures at colleges, architecture and design schools, private organizations, and for businesses. He has written and is moderator of the American Feng Shui Institute's on-line correspondence course and is currently working on an advanced level Feng Shui book. He is a member of both the American Society of Feng Shui and the American Yi Jing Study Center.
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