The Five Elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—are widely applied in daily life, from choosing colors, materials, objects, and plants to determining house directions. In this article, BTA Feng Shui will introduce the applications of Five Elements Feng Shui in: Feng Shui protectors, naming children, and residential Feng Shui. Follow along to learn more!
=>> First, you can refer to this article: What are the Five Elements?
Feng Shui Protectors Using the Five Elements
Using Metal as a Feng Shui Protector
Metal as a Feng Shui protector involves using metallic objects to balance energy, neutralize negative qi (sha qi), and attract wealth. Items like Pixiu, Qilin, coins, wind chimes, or gourds made of metal are often placed in key locations within homes or businesses to safeguard the homeowner and enhance positive energy.
These spiritual figures or objects can be positioned in various spots around the house or property. Some Feng Shui masters even recommend burying these items in specific locations to maximize their protective effects.
However, using Metal as a protector must suit the space and the homeowner’s element, avoiding an excess of Metal that could disrupt the Five Elements’ balance. Additionally, metallic items should be well-maintained to prevent rust, ensuring their long-term Feng Shui efficacy.
Using Earth as a Feng Shui Protector
Earth is used as a Feng Shui protector through stone miniature mountains, rock formations, spheres, or decorative stones like Quartz or Agate. For homes facing strong energy currents, small water-and-mountain landscapes are recommended to soften the qi before it enters the house.
Using Wood as a Feng Shui Protector
Using trees (Wood) as a Feng Shui protector follows the principle that larger trees yield stronger Wood energy and greater protective power. Trees like Money Plant, Prosperity Tree, Dracaena, Bamboo Palm, Yellow Orchid, Marigold, Geranium, and Cypress are chosen for their positive meanings related to wealth and health.
Using Water as a Feng Shui Protector
External protectors often employ Water elements like fish ponds, aquariums, or fountains. Indoor fish tanks are considered highly influential for wealth and decoration. Combining mountains (Earth) and water (Water) can be achieved with water tanks or basins.
Using Fire as a Feng Shui Protector
External Fire protectors typically involve areas for burning offerings, such as incinerators in urban zones. Internal protectors often center on the kitchen, regarded as a Fire protector area. These spaces are designed based on the Eight Mansion (Bát Trạch) principle, though flexibility is sometimes needed to adapt to modern industrial environments.
Avoid using high-level spiritual figures—like those found in temples or shrines—as protectors in homes, as they may impose limitations on the homeowner.
Naming Children According to Feng Shui (Vietnamese name)
Naming children based on the Five Elements aims to create balance and prosperity in their lives:
Naming a child according to Five Elements principles is not just a spiritual tradition but also a method to balance the yin-yang aspects of the Five Elements. This enhances the child’s destiny, fostering a bright, peaceful, and prosperous life.
By analyzing the Four Pillars (Bát Tự), if all five elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—are present, it’s a sign of abundant fortune. If one element is missing, including that element in the child’s name can supplement and balance their destiny.
| Naming Based on Five Elements | Boys’ Names | Girls’ Names | Meaning |
| Fire Element | Đức, Thái, Minh, Sáng, Huy, Quang, Đăng, Nam, Kim, Hùng, Hiệp, Đài, Hạ, Cẩm,… | Ánh, Dung, Hạ, Hồng, Dương, Thanh, Minh, Thu, Huyền, Đan, Ly, Linh,… | Those with these names are often intelligent, passionate, and humorous but need to temper impatience and lack of endurance. |
| Metal Element | Nhâm, Nguyên, Thắng, Trung, Nghĩa, Luyện, Cương, Phong, Thế, Hiện, Văn,… | Đoan, Dạ, Ái, Nhi, Nguyên, Khanh, Ngân, Hân, Phượng, Vi, Tâm, Ân, Xuyến,… | Names with Metal suggest independence, ambition, and strong will, though they can be stubborn and aloof. |
| Wood Element | Khôi, Bách, Bính, Bạch, Bính, Bình, Đông, Đỗ, Lâm, Lý, Nam, Nhân, Phúc, Quảng,… | Sa, Sâm, Thảo, Cúc, Đào, Giao, Hạnh, Huệ, Hương, Kỳ, Lam, Lan, Lê, Liễu,… | Represents dynamism, friendliness, creativity, and sociability, but often lacks patience and persistence, easily bored. |
| Earth Element | Châu, Sơn, Côn, Ngọc, Lý, San, Cát, Viên, Nghiêm, Châm, Thân, Thông, Anh, Giáp, Thạc, Kiên,… | Cát, Bích, Anh, Hòa, Diệp, Thảo, Ngọc, Diệu, San, Châu, Bích, Khuê,… | Those with Earth names have strong inner strength and independence but can be stubborn, rigid, and resistant to others’ input. |
| Water Element | Trí, Hải, Nhậm, Hậu, Hiệp, Đồng, Danh, Tôn, Khải, Khánh, Khương, Trọng, Luân, Kiện, Hội,… | Thủy, Giang, Huyên, Loan, Uyên, Hà, Sương, Nhung, Hoa, An, Băng, Nga, Tiên, Di,… | They are sensitive and artistic but can be changeable, sentimental, weak, or overly yielding. |
Naming children according to the Five Elements is not just a spiritual symbol but also a way to optimize their elemental balance, fostering a prosperous and harmonious life.
Applying the Five Elements in Residential Feng Shui
For Vietnamese people, the Five Elements theory is not only a spiritual aspect but also a key factor in home Feng Shui. From house direction and room layout to colors and the number of floors in an apartment, everything is applied to create a harmonious living space aligned with the homeowner’s element.
| Homeowner’s Element | Preferred House Direction | Apartment Floor Numbers | House Paint Colors | Home Decor Items |
| Metal Element Homeowner | West or Northwest | 2, 5, 9, 12, 15, 19; Avoid 2, 7 | Gold, White, Gray,… | Gemstone paintings, lacquer art, Feng Shui aquariums,… |
| Wood Element Homeowner | South, East, or Southeast | 1, 3, 6, 8; Avoid 2, 4, 7, 9 | Green, White, Brown,… | Green plants, tree or flower-themed art,… |
| Water Element Homeowner | North, Southeast, or South | 1, 4, 6, 9; Avoid 0, 2, 7, 5 | Sky Blue, Black,… | Aquariums, Feng Shui mirrors, aquatic plants,… |
| Fire Element Homeowner | South, Southeast, or East | 2, 3, 7, 8; Avoid 1, 6 | Red, Orange, Pink, Purple,… | Wooden furniture, cacti, orchids,… |
| Earth Element Homeowner | Northeast, Southwest | 0, 2, 5, 7; Avoid 3, 8 | Brown, Yellow-Brown, Light Yellow,… | Feng Shui stones, ceramics, plants,… |
Understanding and applying Five Elements principles in residential Feng Shui helps create a harmonious, positive living space while bringing balance and luck to homeowners based on their specific elements.
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