While it is true that the symbology of color often has an ethnic or cultural basis, somehow ancient societies similarly assigned colors and attributes to compass points. Even modern personal color theory — in this case, the popular Color Harmony system developed by Suzanne Caygill to determine a person’s personal color scheme — is imbued with the color wisdom of the ancients. Authentic Feng Shui uses the color orientations and interpretations of ancient China, yet Color Harmony also reverberates with its principles.
| Direction |
Color Designation and Suggestion in Traditional FengShui |
Traditional Feng Shui Interpretation |
Modern Personal Color Theory “Color Harmony”school developed by Suzanne Caygill |
| South | Red No blues or yellows |
Fire Summer Illumination, clarity, intelligence Maximal state of energy |
Defined as Summer, which has muted hues tinged with rose or grayed with their complements. Personality characteristics: Appreciate order as the first law of heaven. Understand the rhythm of life. Take pride and pleasure in creating order for others. Accept the serenity of the lifestyle as a challenge and develop keen sensitivities to the arts. |
| Southwest | Tan, yellow | Earth Indian Summer The power to nourish, sustain, and adapt Balance or neutrality; a buffer between the other phases |
Defined as either a subsection of Summer or Autumn, depending upon whether the individual’s skin has a blue or yellow undertone. |
| West | White, gold Avoid blues and reds |
Metal Autumn Alert, attractive; communication, open-heartedness, pleasure Declining state of energy |
Defined as Autumn, which has a rich and brilliant glow to its colors. Burnished colors and metals are favored, and blue-reds are to be avoided. Personality characteristics: Fruition of rich harvest, but only when projects are carefully cultivated and nourished. Need to feel close to the earth. Secure only when feet are on their own ground, with one’s roof overhead, surrounded by the abundance of vegetative life. |
| Northwest | White, gold No blues, reds |
Metal Autumn Inspiration, leadership, power, determination Declining state of energy |
Defined as Autumn (see above). |
| North | Black, blue No yellows, no light greens |
Water Winter Withdrawal, descent, profundity, danger, great difficulty Maximal dormant state of energy about to begin activity |
Defined as Winter; its pigments are pure or darkened with black. Colors are deep and rich or icy pale and cool. Personality characteristics: Ability to distill matters for solution and project new ideas. Start the creative process, just like winter turns to spring. Learn intuitively the effectiveness of precision, definition, clarity. |
| Northeast | Tan, yellow | Earth (mountain) Stillness, tranquility, meditation, strength in reserve Balance or neutrality; a buffer between other phases |
Depends upon personal coloration. |
| East | Dark green, aquamarine Avoid red |
Wood Spring The irresistible release of stored energy “Heaven’s laughter” Growing phase of energy |
Determined as Spring, which features clear, bright, vivid colors and must avoid blue-reds, dark reds, pink, and burgundy. Personality characteristics: Acting on first impulses, trusting in intuition, trying new enterprises, frivolity, playfulness. Cheerful without reason. |
| Southeast | Green | Wood Spring Quiet, persistent, patient, hardworking Growing phase of energy |
Depends upon personal coloration. |
We have to learn from nature by closely observing it, which is the basis of Daoist philosophy and the underlying theme of authentic Feng Shui. “To feel at home,” wrote color expert Caygill, “you must have a native understanding of yourself which, if attuned through many levels of awareness, can help you absorb from Nature the message it is giving, but you must listen well.”
