Q & A – Feng Shui and Numbers of Bamboo

Q. I am a newcomer to the practice of Feng Shui and am getting our condo up to speed in “the Feng Shui way” as best I can. I have several vases around the house – in the dining room in the Fame and Reputation area; in the living room in the Knowledge & Self Cultivation and Wealth and Prosperity areas; in the entryway in the Love and Marriage area, and in the bathroom in the Fame & Reputation area. What is the best number of flower (or bamboo) stems to be put in each vase, or does that matter? – Joan

A. Welcome to Feng Shui! You’ll be happy to know that Yes, Everything indeed matters! Keep in mind as you continue to practice, Feng Shui’s basic principles are: Everything is Alive, Everything is Connected and Everything is Changing. Let’s take a look at your vases with these concepts in mind.

Everything is alive with the thoughts, memories and associations that it elicits within us. You may choose any number (of anything really) according to how many people are in your family, how many pets you have, how many children – or grandchildren – you have, how many new clients you’d like this year, how many years until retirement, how many… you get the idea. When you make your choices personal, they can have deeper impact, which can lead to a more meaningful life path.

Because Everything is Connected, you may also choose numbers, bamboo or types of flowers that are more Bagua specific. For example, in the Fame & Reputation area is associated with the element of Fire, whose symbols are star bursts, triangles and pyramids. Therefore, you may choose a flower in the shape of a star, or one that is bright like the sun. Knowledge & Self-Cultivation is associated with keeping still, self-reflection, and meditation; with that in mind, you may choose a single bamboo stalk to remind you of the importance of your “being.” Love & Marriage is associated with receptivity and intimacy in partnership. Here, you might choose two vases, side by side, each with the favorite bamboos of yours and your partner’s. I’ve seen a beautiful vase with bamboo so completely intertwined that the path from stalk to leaf was indistinguishable.

Also keep in mind that Everything is Changing; and, ideally, we embrace these inevitable changes. If you look forward to lots of changes, fresh flowers and seasonal décor are an option, while on the other end of maintenance are the silk arrangements that only need to be dusted, or washed off, 2-3 times a year. Bamboo is indeed a nice middle ground: low maintenance, slow growth, a living thing. Be mindful about how you water them, as some tap waters are disagreeable and will turn the leaves – and eventually the stalks – yellow.

Joan, only you will know what the best numbers will be for each vase. Have fun and please let us know what you choose and why. Looking forward to hearing more about your continued practice of Essential Feng Shui!

Liv Kellgren, Programs Director, WSFS