(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Red is also an integral part of Feng Shui.The colour red has been very auspicious in the Chinese culture for thousands of years. It is the colour for happiness prosperity togetherness and good luck. This is the reason why many businesses in China have red lanterns or red patterns all over the homes or at the entrance. It is the main colour used during festivals and weddings. During the Chinese New Year red envelopes with money are distributed to children to bring them good luck. But did you ever think about where this belief stemmed from
According to some ancient tales there was a mythical beast by the name of Nien who terrorised people during the Chinese New Year. People in many villages placed bowls of food outside their main door so that Nien could eat and go away. However one Chinese New Year Nien got scared looking at a child wearing a red dress and so from that day on he never returned to the village. As a result people started displaying red lanterns outside their homes to protect themselves. And this is how the colour red came to be associated with happiness and prosperity. However this is an old tale that has no proof. However Chinese people continue to believe in the benefits of using red in everyday life and for special occasions.
Red is also an integral part of Feng Shui. Red represents the Fire element which is the driving force for career fame ambition and good luck. Fire colours are used in Feng Shui to enhance this element. This could be one of the reasons why everything from Chinese flags to wedding gowns are red.
So does this mean red can be used in all aspects of everyday life To answer this we need to delve into a bit of psychology. For a Chinese red colour is auspicious due to its cultural significance. However this is not the same for all nationalities. In South Africa red is used for mourning and in Japan it is associated with anger and discontent. The Australian Aboriginals link red with mother earth while in Thailand it is the colour to be used on Sunday. On the other hand within the holistic community red is associated with drive and energy and is linked with the first chakra.
Implementing Feng Shui cures from a textbook is easy. However to understand the cultural significance and then suggest an appropriate colour scheme for a property is the sign of a good Feng Shui consultant.
So next time you want to use the colour red at home first ask yourself – what does this colour mean to me The impact of using this colour will be felt based on your belief about the colour.
Shivani Adalja is a Dubai-based wellbeing expert. She runs the Alignment Insitute which offers effective solutions that focus on stress management and overall wellbeing. Email alignshivaniadalja.com
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