In Korea, geomancy, or Feng Shui, is a study that has been consistently researched since the post-Three Kingdoms era. It is a natural philosophy that relates the land’s topography to human fortune and misfortune. Strictly speaking, Feng Shui is considered a ‘superstition’, but given its long-standing influence on our lives, it is challenging to dismiss it as merely a superstition or something that can be ignored without consequence. It has established its place as a set of life rules to be followed, and actions that do not align with the principles of Feng Shui can attract criticism from others. From here on, we will discuss objects that are not recommended to keep at home from a Feng Shui perspective, in other words, we will delve into ‘Feng Shui interior design’. This is not about believing in superstitions, but rather an attempt to understand the traditional objects our ancestors conceptually avoided.
Medicine Bags in Plain Sight
In Feng Shui interior design, medicine bags are considered items to be cautious about. People who take medicine regularly often place their medicine bags in noticeable places to remember when to take their medication, but this is considered taboo in Feng Shui. If you frequently see medicine, you may not be able to escape its influence, and you may continue to need to take it. Even from a non-Feng Shui perspective, especially if there are toddlers in the house, it would be better to keep medicine bags in drawers or other storage places to prevent accidental ingestion.
Dead Objects
There are instances where you may not want to throw away a bouquet given by someone else, or you may receive a gift in the form of dried flowers from the start. Dead objects are said to take away the vitality of the living, so it’s best not to keep items like dried flowers at home. Even from a non-Feng Shui interior design perspective, bugs can infest dried flowers, and they can reproduce inside the flowers and spread throughout the house, so it’s best to throw them away.
Damaged Dolls
In Feng Shui, it is believed that having too many character dolls or stuffed animals can negatively impact your love fortune. Particularly, stuffed animals carry positive energy, and if you have too many, the positive energy can overflow and extinguish the luck of meeting someone. Especially in the case of dolls that are not in proper shape, like those with a part damaged, they can have a negative impact even from a general interior design perspective, not just Feng Shui.
Sharp or Pointy Objects
Sharp objects, or items that are broken or rusted, should be removed from sight. If such things continue to be visible or are left somewhere in the house, it is said that you will continually receive signals that something is wrong, causing psychological unease. Tools like awls should be kept in toolboxes, and broken windows or mirrors should be thrown away immediately to prevent accidents from handling them improperly.
Broken Clocks
If a clock that tells the time has stopped or is broken and points to a different time, it is recommended to throw it away. In Feng Shui, when a clock stops, it is seen as a disruption in the flow of harmonious energy. If you continually face issues related to time in your life, fixing or replacing the battery of a broken clock left at home could be helpful.
Secondhand Items with Unclear Origins
Items used by others carry the energy of that person. If the person has a lot of luck, you can share their luck and fortune, but if not, you may share their bad energy. If someone gives you an item with good intentions, that’s a different story, but if you have a secondhand item with an unknown origin or a lost item you found on the street, you could receive bad energy. Therefore, if the item is not something you obtained yourself and its origin is unclear, it would be better not to keep it at home.
Belongings of the Deceased
Sorting through the belongings of the deceased is not an easy task. However, unless the belongings of the deceased have value as relics, it is best to clean everything thoroughly. There are cases where the belongings of the deceased are displayed in noticeable places around the house to remember the deceased. It is best to avoid the act of hoarding or storing the belongings of the deceased, and it is recommended to dispose of or incinerate them through a relic sorting company or similar service.
Mismatched Items
In Feng Shui, it is said that all items have a pair. Just as there are Yin and Yang in a person’s life, items also have a harmony of Yin and Yang, or a balance of pairs. Items that come in pairs, like shoes, socks, and gloves, should always be stored in pairs to maintain harmony. However, mismatched items are said to be unable to fully enjoy such energy. Therefore, if an item that originally came in a pair loses one side, it is best to bravely get rid of the remaining one.
Dark Paintings
In Pungsu Interior, there are certain types of paintings recommended for placement in the home, such as pictures depicting vibrant and lively scenes like those of living flowers. For example, a red flower painting is believed to enhance creativity, bring good luck in promotions, and be associated with success in exams. Additionally, a yellow flower frame is considered auspicious for wealth-related matters. On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid artwork with a dark or ominous feel, including portraits of unfamiliar individuals or abstract paintings with unclear meanings, as they may attract negative energy.
Charcoal
Charcoal is known for its air-purifying properties, and for a while, decorations made from charcoal gained popularity as interior items. However, since charcoal is considered an inanimate object without vitality, it is generally viewed unfavorably in Feng Shui Interior. In particular, placing charcoal decorations near the head of the bed is not recommended. It is better to keep charcoal decorations in inconspicuous places, allowing them to fulfill their role in air purification without drawing attention.
By. Choi Deok Soo
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