The feng shui wood element represents growth, progress, expansion, trust, as well as flexibility and kindness.
When you think about a growing tree or plant, you can see its roots stretching deep into the earth while it’s branches and leaves expand up into the sky.
That is the wood element: grounded, expansive growth. The wood element is associated with new beginnings and forward momentum, but also the flexibility and strength to bend but not break.
The feng shui wood element represents the ability to grow deeply in connection but still expand and move upward.
It is the energy of spring and regeneration, making something new out of the depths of winter.
If you feel stuck or stagnant and want to move forward in a sustainable way, enhancing the wood element is probably what you need!
You can activate and increase the wood element by adding living plants to your home.
You can also add greens, browns, and blue-green colors to your home decor or artwork elements.
Of course, using the five elements in your home is all about balance, but it’s easy to increase or decrease the elements based on what you need in your life.
Feng Shui Wood Element Colors
Green
All shades of green represent the earth element.
Everything from deep, dark hunter green to light, pale green activates the wood element.
Think about the leaves of trees, flowers, and plants and you’ll see all ranges of green!
The color green represents growth, nature, health, healing, and prosperity.
Wood Element Shapes
- Columns (like tree trunks!)
- Vertical stripes
- Tall, skinny items
Wood Element Items
- Live plants of all kinds (except cactus plants)
- Tall lamps
- Columns
- Wood element crystals
- Pictures or artwork of plants or trees
- Pictures or artwork of landscapes with trees and lush greenery
- Fresh flowers
- Artwork with shades of green
*Items made of wood actually represent the earth element because the wood isn’t actively growing
Wood Element Artwork
- Artwork of trees, plants, or lush landscapes
- Artwork with lots of green colors
- Botanical prints
- Tall, columnar shapes
Feng Shui Wood Element and the Bagua Map
The areas of the bagua that are activated by the wood element are the feng shui family and legacy area, and the feng shui wealth area.
Adding wood elements to these areas helps create forward growth and momentum that has deep, strong roots!
This creates sustainable abundance and also a legacy to leave behind.
The Feng Shui Wood Element and the Element Cycle
In the feng shui element cycle, the wood element feeds the feng shui fire element. The fire element area of the bagua is the fame and reputation area.
Adding the wood element to this area will feed and nourish how others see you and what you’re known for in life.
It will create growth in your reputation outside of your home and help with being acknowledged for your accomplishments!
In addition, the feng shui water element feeds the feng shui wood element.
Adding water elements to the wood areas of the bagua will create more flowing energy and fuel growth!
Because the water element is also associated with wealth and abundance, adding water to the wood elements of the bagua creates sustainable, lush growth, like what happens when you water a plant or tree!
The Feng Shui Wood Element and the Destructive Cycle
In the destructive element cycle, wood is destroyed by the feng shui metal element.
Adding lots of metal element items to the wood areas of the bagua will slow them down and cause stagnant, stuck energy.
The metal element “cuts” the wood element, dividing it up and creating chaotic energy.
As well, the wood element destroys the earth element.
Adding wood element items to the earth areas will pierce and break up the earth element energy.
This can be helpful if you need to shake things up, but it can also create instability and chaos if there’s too much of it.
The earth element is responsible for grounded, centered energy.
Too much growth that happens too fast can make you feel off-balance and like you don’t know where “home base” is, because the earth element is out of balance!
The Wood Element Personality
The five elements can also be attributed to different personality traits and characteristics.
Depending on what school of feng shui you practice, you can also have a personal element associated with your birthday and personal direction.
In Western feng shui, however, the wood element is generally expressed by personality traits or what you are currently drawn to in your life.
This can shift over time, depending on how energy is flowing throughout your home and life.
Wood element personality traits are:
- Adventurous
- Motivated
- Confident
- Growth-oriented
- Athletic or active
- Powerful
- Can be anxious or hyperactive
- Can be too direct or assertive
You can balance wood element energy by…
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