The Real Use of Mirrors in Feng Shui Applications

By Kyle Richey

A lot of people begin using mirrors as they get into the practice of feng shui, believing mirrors to be an essential element of feng shui. Is this really the case? Are mirrors so important to the art of feng shui? Do feng shui experts find so many applications for mirrors in the practice of the art? How do mirrors create positive energy flow - or in fact do they do this at all? Keep reading for an examination of the use of mirrors in feng shui before you start covering every surface in your home with them.

The Ancient Use of Mirrors in Feng Shui

Most are aware that feng shui is primarily concerned with creating a balance of what in feng shui are known as the five elements: fire, water, wood, metal and earth. feng shui holds that these elements create circular patterns of either construction or destruction with each other and that having one element too predominant in a space prevents the effective flow of positive energy. For that reason, feng shui aims at creating a harmonious balance of these elements.

At one time, mirrors in feng shui were used to introduce the element of metal to a room. A room with too much earth element (for instance, being colored in earth tones) needs an other element to balance it out, with metal being a good fit. A mirror was one way of doing that.

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.

Todays Use of Mirrors in Feng Shui

Nowadays, however there is rarely any actual metal employed in the manufacture of mirrors. This is a big difference between the use of mirrors in feng shui past and present. A mirror now is as likely as not composed of plastic, which does not have the characteristics of a true metal element containing item.

So then, for todays 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 introduced simply for their decorative value. Feng shui holds that art should be enjoyed for its own sake rather than ascribing spiritual benefit to it. Mirrors are, in feng shui, decoration and should be enjoyed as such. They are not usually made of the metal element in our age and should not be considered as such for the purposes of feng shui.

When using mirrors in feng shui, go ahead and introduce them to a room; but keep in mind that they are there for decorative use and you still must bring a metal element into a room that needs it to be balanced rather than putting up a mirror.

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Feng shui mirror can be a great way to decorate your home. For more information take a look at Feng Shui Secrets Revealed!