The Meaning of Colors in Feng Shui

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese system of principles that attempts to organize and govern the “energy” of spaces, like homes and gardens.

Sometimes thought of as the “art of placement”, Feng Shui exists to harmonize and balance the chi (energy for the Chinese) and enhance your living experience in relation to the physical objects around you and the space in which you live.

Although some in the scientific community regard it as “pseudo-science”, Feng Shui has long been an influence in the world of interior designs and architecture, making its way into the Western hemisphere more recently.

With an extensive body of knowledge, Feng Shui focuses in 5 Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood). Each of these 5 Elements “govern” an area of your home according to the Feng Shui energy map of your space called bagua.


Carefully chosen colors affect the flow of energy in your home and each of the 5 Elements evokes an emotion or “energy” and has its associated colors.

You can use color to express an Element and evoke a specific “energy” in a room of your choice. Colors can mean wall color but also furniture color, art, photography and decor items.

Element of Fire: Passion and High Energy

Evokes inner warmth, sexual energy and high spirits.

Associated colors: Red, Orange, Purple, Pink


Element of Earth: Nourishment and Stability

Evokes inner balance, emotional and relationship stability, and calmness of mind

Associated colors: light yellow, beige, skin color, earthy / sandy colors.


Element of Metal: Clarity and Preciseness

Evokes sharpness, precision and efficiency. Helps you live with clarity and lightness and eliminate distractions.

Associated colors: grey and white.


Element of Water: Ease and Abundance

Evokes purity, abundance and freshness. Also represents wealth and is related to the use of fountains and mirrors.

Associated colors: blue and black.


Element of Wood: Growth and Vitality

Evokes vibrant health, vitality and growth. Related to the use of plants as well.

Associated colors: brown and green.


Remember that Feng Shui also invites you to use aquariums, mirrors, crystals and fountains to attract prosperity and improve the flow of energy in your house.

Understanding this, you’ll be in a better position to decorate your home and enhance your living experience in it -  this is what it is all about, in the end.

At WHITE TREE FURNITURE, we are then focusing on the Element of Metal (clarity, sharpness, efficiency). This is the perfect element for, say, a home office, where you want to eliminate distractions.

Or any room, really, where you want to convey clarity of mind.