The Meanings of Major Colors in Feng Shui

White

As the absence of color, white is a blank slate. It represents the yang side in the Tai Qi, or yin-yang symbol. In many cultures, white relates to winter, which is a dormant state when the earth is resting.

White is also connected to the metal element, which represents mental clarity, productivity, and completion. It’s connected to the Children area of the feng shui bagua map.

Try exploring all the aspects of white and off-white in your home to complement any other colors.

Black

If white is the absence of color, black is the sum of all colors. It’s also the yin side of the Tai Qi symbol. In many cultures, the color black is associated with darker themes, but in feng shui it also has a more positive connection to depth and personal exploration.

Black also represents the water element, which is related to stillness, wisdom, and quiet contemplation. It’s connected to the Career area of the feng shui bagua map.

In general, black is a great accent color to work with to bring timeless elegance into your home.

Gray

Gray is the combination of black and white—but it's also connected to its own area of the feng shui bagua map that helps you connect to helpful people in your life.

As a neutral color, it can work in most homes.

Blue

The feng shui meaning of blue changes depending on the tone. Mid-tone blues and teals, for example, represent the wood element. Wood is connected to growth, vitality, and compassion. Deep midnight blue that is almost black connects to the deep, dark water element.

In many Asian cultures, certain shades of blue are connected with mourning. In Buddhism, blue is related to wellbeing, symbolized by the lapis-colored Medicine Buddha. Blue is also connected to the Family and Knowledge areas of the feng shui bagua map.

Green

Green is the feng shui color of renewal, fresh energy, and regeneration. When working with green color, it is important to have at least several different shades in order to maximize the feng shui energy effects.

Green is connected to the Family area of the feng shui bagua map. This color can be included in your home with home decor accents, paint, or even with a living green houseplant!

Red

In feng shui, red is the color that supersedes all others. It’s the most powerful color in feng shui and is considered very auspicious. Red is often used to protect and clear a home or a person’s energy. In the Black Sect Feng Shui tradition, red envelopes are used to honor and protect feng shui consultants and their clients.

Red is also very activating and energizing, and too much red can be overwhelming for some people. It’s best to avoid large amounts of red in spaces that are meant to be more relaxing, like bedrooms. A beautiful rug with red tones can be a gentle way to bring in the energy of red.

Red is also the color of the fire element and the Fame area of the feng shui bagua map, which is connected to visibility, inspiration, and clarity.

Pink

Pink is a delicate color in feng shui that is associated with the Partnership and Love area of the bagua map. It's a color that is used to activate self-love, softness, and attract a relationship.

Brown

Earthy tones like browns bring earth element into your home. Earth element is about grounding, stability, and self-care.

Brown wood floors or furniture is a wonderful way to invite the earth element into your home.

Yellow

Depending on the situation, yellow can remind us of warm, glowing sunlight or lush, oxidized soil. It’s the color of the earth element and the Health area (or center) of the feng shui bagua map, which is grounding, nurturing, and stable.

Yellow also symbolizes both high standing and humility. Bright golden yellow was used to represent gold for the Chinese emperor’s robes. In Buddhism, the ochre yellow of a monk’s robes is connected to humility and surrender.

Orange

Like blue, the feng shui meaning of orange changes depending on the tone. It’s a combination of both yellow and red. This makes it a strong color, because it has the power of red and the stability of yellow. This also means that it can shift between the earth element or the fire element. Bright, fiery oranges bring to mind the glowing embers of a fire, while yellowy oranges are more earthy and grounding.

Purple

From lavender to richer eggplant tones, purple is connected to nobility and wealth. It’s a color that inspires respect, and it can be used to connect your qi with power, prosperity, and abundance. Deep red moving into purple is a very auspicious color, symbolizing wealth and power. As a combination of fiery red and cool blue, purple can also invite harmony and balance.