When attempting to learn more about and apply the principles of feng shui in their life, many people are drawn to the use of mirrors, believing that this is one of the most basic necessities of this art. However, is this really the case? Do real experts use mirrors in feng shui applications today? How exactly to they work to encourage positive energy in your home, if at all? Let’s take a look at some of these thoughts before you run out and purchase a whole set of mirrors for your own home.
The Ancient Use of Mirrors in Feng Shui
Many people understand that feng shui is a harmonious balance of what it refers to as the five elements – wood, water, fire, metal, and earth. These elements either feed one another or destroy one another; for example, wood feeds fire, but water destroys it. Water feeds wood, but metal destroys wood, and so on. There needs to be a balance between these elements for true feng shui.
In the ancient application, mirrors in feng shui were a common way to introduce the metal element. Any home or room that had too much earth (such as being colored brown, having live plants, and so on) needed a contrasting element introduced, and metal was a quick fix. Using mirrors in feng shui for these rooms offset the earth element and opened up the space, making it seem sunnier – and obviously the earth and the sun are two good complements for one another.
Today’s Use of Mirrors in Feng Shui
However, there is a big difference between this ancient practice and the modern-day use of mirrors in feng shui, and that big difference is that there is typically no real metal used in today’s mirrors. Most are a form of modified plastic and other chemicals. You could rightly call them a type of placebo, just “faking” the introduction of the metal element.
So then, for today’s application, how does one use mirrors in feng shui? Quite simply, mirrors are used to reflect light, which warms a space, creating positive energy. They also make rooms seem bigger, and they open up closed off spaces and bring some reflection of that light to dark corners or other areas that seem somewhat cave-like.
Mirrors in feng shui are also a common decorative element; true feng shui teaches that art should be used for aesthetic value, not for anything spiritual. Mirrors are then simply pieces of art, or may help to reflect the glow of candles or of a fireplace, making the room seem warmer and cozier. They really are no longer considered a metal element, and should not be thought of in that manner. So when using mirrors in feng shui in your own home, you need to remember that you should introduce a different metal element, but still, don’t hesitate to put them in darker rooms where you need some light, or in dimly lit corners that need some perking up.