The Water Element: Indoor Wall Fountains and Feng Shui

The term Feng Shui literally means wind and water and describes the Chinese practice of arranging your living space to achieve harmony in it. Feng Shui is meant to promote a healthy flow of energy through the home, as well as creating visual appeal and an organized space. Even if you're not sure you believe in energy flow, you'll still benefit from having a well thought out, serene space. Feng Shui mixes art and science, and includes a number of elements that have been proven scientifically to have real health benefits. For instance, the use of indoor fountains in the home has been around for a long time in China, and has been shown to reduce stress and improve health. Here's how to use indoor wall fountains to improve your home's energy balance.

Wall mounted fountains play an important role in Feng Shui. They allow you to incorporate the water element into your space, adding the serene, calming properties of flowing water. It's important to keep this element in balance with the other four (fire, wood, earth and metal), to achieve the correct result, but water is often one of the elements that's lacking from indoor environments. There are many indoor wall fountains available to provide this calming influence, in all kinds of materials, styles and sizes. You don't have to be decorating in a Chinese or Asian inspired style to use the principles of Feng Shui to decorate and organize it.

In Feng Shui, the influence of water is thought to bring a large amount of positive energy into your life and your home. Water is a symbol of prosperity and abundance, and can remove unhealthy substances from the air. An indoor wall fountain also adds humidity, making it easier to breathe the air. That means that people with conditions aggravated by dry air will have less difficulty and will feel better and happier. The sound of a fountain has also been shown to help create a calm, relaxed atmosphere. This is useful in the home, and at work. You can implement the use of wall mounted fountains in your office to make your space more pleasant to be in and your day more productive. It's amazing what a difference it can make.

Strictly speaking, the placement of indoor wall fountains using Feng Shui is determined by consultation of what's called a Bagua map.  This will tell you exactly where your fountain should go.  If one is unavailable, however, your wall mounted fountain can still be placed according to a few general guidelines.  For instance, the southern area of your home (also called the fame gua) is linked to fire energy, as well as your reputation.  By putting a water feature in this location, you'll be symbolically dousing your reputation.