Introduction to Feng Shui and Picture Frames
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that aims to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. It utilizes the concept of chi, or energy flow, and places emphasis on the five elements of nature – wood, fire, earth, metal and water. A key principle in feng shui is achieving balance among these elements to promote health, happiness and prosperity.
An integral part of feng shui is the careful placement of decor and furniture to facilitate positive chi movement. This includes thoughtful selection of picture frames, which contain symbolic meaning and visual energy. Frames have the power to strengthen certain feng shui elements within a home when chosen appropriately. The right frame can enhance the inherent characteristics and energy flows within a space. As seemingly minor decor details, picture frames can make a substantial impact on a home’s overall harmony and cohesiveness when guided by feng shui principles.
The Five Feng Shui Elements
Feng shui relies on a system of five elements – water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Each element is associated with certain directions in the home, colors, and shapes that can bring that element’s energy when used in design.
The five elements and their correspondences are:
- Water – North, black and dark blue colors, wavy and curved shapes
- Wood – East and Southeast, greens and blues, rectangular shapes
- Fire – South, red, pink, purple, orange, triangle and star shapes
- Metal – West and Northwest, white, gold, silver, gray, bronze, oval and circular shapes
- Earth – Southwest, Northeast, Center, yellow, brown, sand colors, square and ceramic shapes
By incorporating design details and decor in the colors, shapes and materials connected to each feng shui element, you can enhance those energies in your home. Feng shui picture frames are one simple way to bring in the elements.
Selecting Wood Frames
Wood frames bring warmth and tradition to photos and artwork when used in the proper feng shui areas of the home. The east, southeast, and south sectors of a home or room correspond to the wood element in feng shui’s five element theory. Using natural wood frames in these sectors enhances the wood energy.
The material of wood has an innate warmth that suits the eastern and southern areas associated with renewal, growth, and expansion. Wood frame styles ranging from solid oak to bamboo stems infuse rooms with a grounded yet uplifting feel. For feng shui purposes, pick lighter finished woods or those with warm reddish-brown hues rather than very dark stains.
Whether enclosing family photos, spiritual images, natural artwork, or other meaningful pictures, wood frames promote vitality. Their natural textures provide a perfect complement to keep the home’s wood element flourishing.
Choosing Metal Frames
Metal frames are a wonderful option for activating the metal feng shui element within a home or office. The cool, contemporary material is perfectly suited for spaces in the west and northwest sectors, matching the energizing and clarifying nature of the metal element.
Metallic finishes like silver, gold, copper, and white work well in these areas, bringing a clean modern aesthetic. The sleek lines and smooth textures of metal picture frames have an energizing yin quality, providing balance to the bold yang energy of the west and northwest.
Metal frames enhance these spaces with their connection to the metal element. Just like the element, they represent strength, precision, efficiency and organization. The connection is further reinforced by the natural shapes of metal frames, including ovals, circles and fluid or irregular forms.
When selecting artwork and photos for metal frames in these feng shui areas, choose images that align with the properties of metal. Photographs of modern cityscapes, geometric shapes and patterns, and sleek industrial or technological subjects complement and enhance the surrounding decor.
By thoughtfully incorporating metal picture frames in the spaces they are best suited, you can bring the clarity, focus and purifying energy of the metal element into your environment. Their contemporary elegance perfectly activates these spaces.
Using Earth Tone Frames
The earth element encompasses the southwest, northeast, and center areas of a home. When selecting frames for photos or artwork in these sectors, earth tone ceramic or crystal frames help enhance and ground the earth energy.
Warm, natural colors like terracotta, mustard, peach, green, brown, and beige reflect the earth element’s stabilizing, nurturing energy. Cream, tan, or light sandy tones also bring a warm, welcoming feeling. Whether the frame is a glossy finish or a matte texture, earthy tones reinforce the southwest, northeast, and center areas.
Ceramic frames made of clay, porcelain, or terracotta glaze perfectly align with the earth element. The natural composition and finish smoothly blend with stone, brick, wood, and nature-inspired decor. For a sparkling touch, crystal frames in earth tones like citrine, jade, or smoky quartz radiate grounded, peaceful energy.
Choosing ceramic or crystal picture frames in rich, warm earth tones brings cozy balance to spaces like living rooms, dining rooms, studies, and bedrooms located in earth element sectors. The earthy colors and materials create an authentic, soothing feel.
Water Element Frames
The feng shui water element is associated with the compass direction north. When selecting picture frames for artwork or photos displayed in the northern area of a home or room, frames made of metal in cool watery colors are the most suitable.
Opt for frame materials and colors connected to the water element, such as:
- Silver metal
- White metal
- Black metal
- Blue metal
- Metal frames with wavy or curving shapes
The yin energy of the northern water sector is complemented by cool colored metals like silver, white, black and blue. The soothing palate brings a calming effect. Metallic materials interact favorably with the water energy.
Silver, white, black and blue colored metal nicely activates the reflective, flowing qualities of water. The materials and colors combine to produce a frame that will properly enhance and balance the water element in a north placement.
Fire Element Frame Shapes
The fire element is associated with the south, southeast, and southwest areas of a home or room. Triangle and star shaped frames are ideal for enhancing the fire energy in these sectors. The dynamic shapes and pointed edges of stars and triangles stimulate and activate the fire element.
Using flame-like shapes in frames draws in additional fiery energy. This helps invigorate these areas of the home with the fire element’s attributes of warmth, light, and passion. Triangle and star frames awaken inspiration, joy, fame and reputation in the home when placed appropriately.
The vibrant energy of fiery triangle or star-shaped frames will be muted or overpowered if used in sectors belonging to other elements. Powerful fire element frames are best used only in areas where the fire element naturally thrives. Their striking shapes will magnify the positive effects of the fire element when properly placed.
Matching Frame to Artwork/Photo
When selecting a picture frame, it’s important to choose one that complements the existing style of the artwork or photo. The frame should create a cohesive, balanced look that flows with the rest of the decor in the room.
Rather than treating the frame as an afterthought, take time to find one that truly fits the artwork. For example, an ornate gold frame would look out of place on a minimalist black and white photograph. But it could beautifully frame a Renaissance-style oil painting.
Consider the color palette, textures, shapes and overall aesthetic of the art. Then find a frame that enhances that style. A warm wood frame brings an earthy feel to a nature landscape. A sleek metal frame adds modern flair to an abstract image.
Taking this aesthetics-focused approach results in a put-together, intentional look. The frame and art become one unified piece instead of appearing disjointed. Feng shui principles also support matching frame to artwork, as it creates harmony in the overall decor.
Follow this principle in every room and watch as your walls become artful canvases showcasing your favorite pieces.
Frame Shape Symbolism
Feng shui prescribes symbolic shapes for frames to reinforce the energy of particular elements in each bagua area of the home. Specific frame shapes have inherent elemental properties that can strengthen the associated feng shui element.
Circle and Oval Frames
Circular or oval frames work well for enhancing the metal element in west and northwest areas of a home or room layout. The endless circular shape represents the flowing, nourishing quality of metal energy. Oval frames also bring a smooth, unbroken line that activates positive metal associations.
Square Frames
Square and rectangular frames best promote the earth element in southwest, northeast or center areas. The stable, grounded shape of a square mirrors the stabilizing earth energy. Square frames with balanced proportions lend a solid, rooted feel that anchors earth areas.
What to Avoid
When selecting frames for feng shui purposes, there are some combinations that should be avoided according to feng shui principles:
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Do not use metal frames such as silver, copper, or gold frames in wood element sectors like the east and southeast or fire element sectors like the south. The metal weakens the wood and fire elements. Instead opt for wood frames in these areas.
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Avoid placing wood frames such as bamboo or other natural wood frames in earth element sectors like the southwest, northeast, and center of the home. The wood element weakens the earth element. Stick to ceramic, crystal or other earth tone frames in the earth sectors.
The key is to avoid combinations where the frame’s element weakens the inherent feng shui element of that part of the home. Keeping the elements in balance and complementing one another creates good energy flow. With the proper frame selections for your photos or artwork, you can enhance the feng shui of your whole home.
