Q&A Sunday: Numbers and Feng Shui

What is the significance of numbers in feng shui?

Jacqueline R., Cleveland, OH

A few years ago, I was honored to attend a sacred geometry lecture with Robert Lawlor, an anthropologist, mythographer, symbologist and author of several books. The symbolism of numbers goes hand in hand with sacred geometry as well as feng shui. Lawlor remarked sadly that because we have been taught that numbers merely denote quantities, our society has been robbed of a metaphorical language. He further argued that everything in the physical world has three aspects or dimensions, and therefore similarly everything (including numbers) represents symbols at three different levels, and with at least three methods of meaning.

I thought that was a brilliant and very relevant point. So to answer your question, I’ll present the meanings of the most significant feng shui numbers on three levels. In feng shui, each number 1 through 9 relates to a specific area of the feng shui bagua map.

ONE: Path in life, water and career

TWO: Relationships, yin earth and partnerships

THREE: New beginnings, yang wood and family

FOUR: Abundance, yin wood and wealth

FIVE: Health, earth and the center of your life/home

SIX: Benefactors, yang metal and travel

SEVEN: Completion, yin metal and joy

EIGHT: Knowledge, yang earth and self-cultivation

NINE: Recognition, fire and passion

Additionally, nine is the most auspicious number in BTB feng shui. It represents the most complete number. Many feng shui cures require repetitions of nine (such as repeating a ritual nine times, or using a string in increments of nine units). I also receive all my fees in a multiple of nine and in nine red envelopes. The number 108 is a multiple of nine and one of the most auspicious numbers in Buddhism. Malas, which are Buddhist prayer beads, have 108 beads, and many mantras are chanted 108 times.

Five is also auspicious as it represents the five elements or phases. The five elements are earth, metal, water, wood and fire. These elements are related to feng shui philosophy and the bagua map. They create balance and harmony when you have all five present in your environment.

Finally, pairs (or the number Two) are often used in bedrooms for couples. As I've indicated above, the number Two symbolizes a couple and can encourage a balanced and harmonious relationship. If you are looking for a partner, it's also favorable to have paired objects in the bedroom.

Numbers are symbolic metaphors and offer us unique and beneficial ways to look at our environment and the world around us.

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

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Q&A Sunday: Nine Star Ki Order

Does the Nine Star Ki process forwards or backwards through the numbers? I have read conflicting things about how to find the elemental year and what year I am in. Any help with this would be appreciated.

Katja D., Holliston, MA

Hi Katja, 

Thank you for your question! And I'm happy that you're diving into the Nine Star Ki. I love it and use it often!

The approach to evaluating Nine Star Ki numerology, as with most things, depends on how you were taught and your interpretation of the knowledge. In the BTB Masters feng shui program that I studied in, my teacher, Rosalie Prinzivalli, taught me the Nine Star Ki numerology as she was taught by her teacher, Edgar Sung. Edgar was also a BTB feng shui master, who studied under Professor Lin Yun. He taught Nine Star numerology such that the process works this way. This is the way I practice as well, since he is part of my teacher's lineage.

There is another numerology from the classical and Flying Star schools. In this system, called the Eight Mansion, your personal Kua number, or your ming gua, is calculated by reading your numbers based on your year of birth and your sex. The calculations are similar to Nine Star Ki, however the applications and use are totally different.

So ultimately, as is often the case in feng shui and all things in life, your interpretation of how to use numerology for feng shui depends on your teacher, their teacher's lineage and your experience and knowledge using the information. As I've shared before, teachers are a very important part of feng shui, and the way you learn each part of the practice will vary depending on who you choose to study with. I'm not sure what your experience is, but I would recommend choosing a teacher you trust, who resonates with you, and learning their methods. Know that there will be conflicting information in feng shui, especially if you aren't learning from a teacher. Just another reason teachers are so important if you really want to learn true feng shui! If you'd like to learn a bit more about Nine Star Ki before you find your mentor, I can recommend Feng Shui Astrology and Nine Star Ki: Michio Kushi's Guidebook on Love and Relationships, Health and Travel and Getting Through the 1990's.

Our 2017 Nine Star Ki podcast episode also has easy directions for calculating this number in the way that I practice. Hopefully we answered your questions and this helps! The Nine Star Ki for 2018 is coming up soon, so keep an eye out!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

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How To Use Numerology To Contour Your Face

featured this week on MindBodyGreen by Kayla Jacobs

Contouring and numerology are like chocolate and vanilla: best together.

It's safe to say that the world has had enough of misleading jawlines and deceptively high cheekbones. Enter numerology contouring, a technique that is by no means novel but has recently resurfaced as the latest trend in the green makeup game. Physiognomy, or face reading, is the art or science of reading the face of an individual in order to identify that person's personal traits. Our faces reflect our deepest emotions, whereas our eyes give others an idea about our feelings to the external world. "The human face is a map that indicates an individual's personality, personal history, mental attitudes, inner needs, morals, emotional style and verbal communication," says feng shui expert Anjie Cho.

The best thing about numerology contouring is that it's a real way to enhance what nature gave you without spending hours trying to fake razor-sharp cheekbones. Instead, keep your formulations sheer and emphasize whatever you desire! Remember that your skin tone varies by area, meaning your forehead may need a bit of brightening, where your cheeks might need to dial down the rosiness. Extra shine on your nose? Pick up a yellow tone formula like Nu Evolution Loose Powder ($39) to counteract any redness and draw an 11 along the sides of your nose; it's about defining and emphasizing your best features, and creating a gently "lifted" look through careful product placement. For deeper skin tones, the same equation is applicable; just go a shade darker, like a peach powder hue or vegan brand Han Cosmetics Pressed Blush in Coral Candy ($15) instead of a light pink pigment.

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