Feng Shui : Celestial Animals Ideal Site - Trees & Plants

In selecting an ideal site as per Feng Shui, the correct balance of the natural potency has to be ensured.  This potency or power is linked to the symbolic nature of the four celestial animals; dragon, tiger, turtle and the phoenix. This potency is in relation with the topography of the plot of land i.e. surrounding structures and shape of adjacent land. Dragon, the most powerful, relates to the east and represent abundance and prosperity. 

Green Dragon

The dragon is the most potent symbol in Chinese tradition representing undulating mountain ranges in the east of the home. They are the ultimate symbol of good luck, bringing prosperity and abundance. It is regarded as a male symbol and, as such its energy is wholly yang. Its colour is dark green. It is linked with the spring season.

White Tiger

Second to dragon comes the tiger for its strength, representing lower and more rounded than dragon hills on the west of the home. It helps achieve perfect harmony.  Tiger is male and relates to yin. Symbolic colour is white. It relates to autumn season.

Black Turtle

The third celestial animal is turtle symbolic of support, stability and longevity, representing lower, rounded hills, shed like the back of the turtle in the north of the home.  It is linked with the winter season and the colour is black.

The Red Phoenix

The Phoenix is the last of the four celestial animals new creature rising from its own ashes is a potent symbol of opportunity, grasping and making the best of circumstances which arise. It represents low hillocks in the south of the home. Red colour as that of fire is its colour too. Required to be in the south of the home, it relates to summer season.

For achieving auspicious luck in acquiring an ideal site, once again, the correct balance of the stated potency/power has to be ensured. In contemporary context, looking out from the main door, the left may have taller trees and buildings on your left, some higher ones behind, and some small ones on the right.  The front of the house should have more open space, preferably, water meandering past the building in an arc in the front.

Feng Shui is based upon symbolism expressed through colours, shapes and images of various representative factors in consonance with the expressed desires or priorities of the follower. Use of birth date is also one of the determinants of the predominant element of a person.  The energies are optimised for the benefit of the occupant based upon the elements of the members of the family or the owners of an organisation.  The treatment can be easily changed according to the changing priorities of the occupant as and when required.

Trees, bushes, and thick plantings surrounding a property can also help shore up or accumulate energy which would otherwise flow away. Planting a hedge or even positioning a row of potted plants can help keep the energy on the property and close to the occupants. This can improve both health and finances. An old-age Feng Shui belief is that a house with a severe slope behind it will be a difficult house to conceive sons in.  Immediate remedy for this is to create a buffer of trees and plants right behind your house, or alternatively, raise your boundary wall and plant trees inside in the backyard.

Large, tall trees behind or in front of a property can become Feng Shui virtual mountains if they are substantially taller than the structure. Some houses and buildings specifically benefit from having a real or virtual mountain on one side of the house, so the tall trees can act as a substitute for a real mountain or hill. If the tree casts so much shade that an area inside or outside the house is chronically dark, then a good trimming is in order. If the tree is buckling pavement and threatening to damage the property foundation, then you have problems which supersede Feng Shui theory - or create other Feng Shui problems which are much worse - like a cracked foundation or strangled plumbing. Dead or dying plants should be removed as quickly as possible. Plant with sharp leaves are considered "poison arrows" by Feng Shui.

An odd-shaped plot can be partially remedied or squared out with proper landscaping. When it is difficult to grow healthy greenery on your property, it may be an indication that the energy in the ground is lacking healthful energies.