Our Favorite Feng Shui Colors
Photo credit: Unsplash Andrew Ridley
As feng shui practitioners, we get a lot of questions from people wondering which colors to use in their homes. This is a really nuanced topic because not only are there multiple color systems in feng shui that we can reference, we all experience color differently. For example, we could mention the same color to two people, and each person could have something totally different in their mind’s eye based on their cultural background and personal experiences.
In this post, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite colors and what they symbolize in feng shui. We’ve also chosen colors that have a strong connection to nature — in fact, everything on our list originally comes from natural pigments.
Like everything in nature, color itself has qi (life force energy), and choosing colors intentionally for our homes and spaces can have a big impact on our energy and how we feel. Here are a few of our favorite shades and what they mean to us:
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Celestial blue
In general, greens and blues are related to the wood element. Celestial blue in particular is a deeper blue that’s connected to spirituality. Even the name “celestial blue” implies a connection to the heavens. Historically this color has also been called lapis lazuli or ultramarine. The pigment was originally made of lapis lazuli crystal, so it was quite expensive. It’s been used to depict very spiritual subject matter, including the Virgin Mary’s robes and the Medicine Buddha’s blue skin. This pigment is also connected to the ocean. From a feng shui perspective, this is a very healing blue, and it can facilitate meditation and inner spiritual journeys. It’s related to the Gen section of the feng shui bagua, which is also sometimes called Knowledge, Self-Cultivation, or Spirituality.
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Vermilion
Vermilion is a very vibrant red with just a touch of orange, and it’s a fiery, energizing color. Red represents the fire element in feng shui, and even a small amount can protect and energize a space. Red is also very powerful and auspicious and it supersedes all other colors. Vermilion as a pigment comes from cinnabar, which gives it an even deeper connection to the idea of protection. It’s said that intentionally using vermilion or cinnabar red can change your luck. In BTB feng shui, the school of feng shui that we teach and practice, we use cinnabar and this specific shade of red in many different techniques to shift qi.
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Cream
Like white, cream can provide a beautiful, neutral backdrop that complements all other colors. White generally symbolizes pure yang energy as well as the metal element, while cream is a bit warmer. Cream also contains a small amount of earth energy. From a feng shui perspective, a creamy warm white calls in the metal element qualities of precision and productivity, and the touch of earth qi supports metal. “Cream” also includes warm and chalky whites that have slight pink or yellow undertones; these pigments are often made of minerals such as chalk or limestone.
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Yellow ochre
Yellow ochre is a really earthy yellow with a lot of orange. This color is found in artwork that dates back to prehistoric times, and it’s a natural pigment that comes from iron-rich soil. This means that when you’re using yellow ochre paint, you’re not only working with the color of the earth element in feng shui (yellow), but you’re actually using a pigment that’s made from the earth. Bringing earth qi into your space invites grounding and stability. Since yellow ochre is a warmer yellow, it also has a touch of fire qi. One simple way to connect with this stable, nurturing energy is to incorporate this color into the center of your home or the center of a room.
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Umber
Umber is a deep, dark brown, like fertile soil just after it’s been tilled. This can be a really supportive color if you are wanting to cultivate a stabilizing, nurturing environment for any seeds you are planting. It’s a natural pigment used in paint that becomes redder when it’s heated at high temperatures, and it was popular with many Renaissance and Baroque artists. Umber can be quite dramatic and we would advise paying attention to how much of it you’re using, since very dark colors can sometimes lead to feelings of stuckness.
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Violet
Violet refers to a bright, velvety purple. In feng shui, violet and royal purple are connected to wealth and abundance. If you’re familiar with the feng shui bagua, the purple section is the one associated with wealth. Rich purples are associated with nobility and splendor, and this comes from the fact that natural violet pigments were historically prized for their purity and rarity. Since they were quite expensive, they were accessible only to the wealthiest members of society. Violet also reminds us of beautiful crystals that come from the earth.
We hope these color stories inspire you to think a little bit differently about color, and to explore your own favorite feng shui colors. If you want to learn more about color and feng shui, we shared even more color stories in our book, Mindful Living!