As we roll on into 2022, we cannot help but be filled with hope and ambition for the year ahead, something that is signified by the Chinese zodiac for 2022, the Year of the Water Tiger. With so much negative energy surrounding us, we must do what we can to bring some positivity back into our lives and one of the best ways we can do that is through bringing positive elements into our home’s interior design.
In the spirit of the Chinese New Year, we can draw from the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui to find some balance between negativity and positivity by using the symbolism of the tiger to enhance our surroundings in such a way as to bring health and prosperity into our lives. In Chinese culture, the Tiger is known as the king of all beasts. A creature that signifies ambition, competitive spirit, impulsiveness and communication.
Tiger years are years of change, and even more so this year, as it is the year of the Water Tiger – what a bonus for all of us! Water is connected to being sensitive, creative and open to change. But water is also an extremely powerful natural force. It can conquer fire and go around any obstacle in its path and not lose its way.
The art of Feng Shui (meaning the way of the wind and water) is rooted deep within the Taoist concept of Chi, the confluence of two opposing yet complementary forces, yin and yang. One does not exist without the other. Positivity needs negativity in order to be positive. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance in a way that will bring peace and prosperity. Chi is nothing but the life force present in each entity, and Feng Shui aims at striking a balance between yin and yang energies. This can be done through organising furniture/decor items and constructing structures that enhance the flow of positive chi and keep away negative chi and bad luck. Maintaining a positive chi not only ensures good fortune but also keeps diseases at bay and enhances interpersonal equations.
So how do we go about using Feng Shui in our own homes, and in particular decorating with the Water Tiger in mind?
Utilising colour is the simplest way of using Feng Shui to bring positivity into the home. The use of colour is significant in Feng Shui philosophy because vision is one of the most compelling of our five senses. Colour is also useful in many different ways as it can have great impacts on our moods and emotions. Being that 2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger, working with the colours associated with the opposing elements of water and earth, we can help to find the balance between yin and yang.
Water elemental colours are black, charcoal or midnight blue, while earth elemental colours are tones such as brown, orange, yellow and neutrals. Working with these colours doesn’t need to be a complete redesign of your spaces, rather using these colours as accents, in a subtle or significant way, keeping in mind that we want to find a balance between these elements, so don’t go too over the top with one particular colour, a good balance is essential.
There are many different ways that you could bring these colours into your interior design. From small highlights to bold statements, any combination of these colours can bring some balance to your space. You could even use coloured gem stones that fit with the theme, all of which have their own different healing and positive properties.
In Feng Shui, the water element is all about connections, wisdom, your path in life, your work in the world, and your social life. Some potential integrations for water elemental colours are:
Black
- Use black as an accent for cabinet finishings such as drawer handles, or even the entire cabinet door
- A piece of black obsidian or tourmaline near the entry to your space can help foster wisdom and balance
- Black light fittings
- Black photo frames
- Black indoor plant pots
- A black chair to attract growth and expansion in your career
Charcoal Grey
- A new charcoal coloured door mat to welcome in new energy
- Charcoal indoor plant pots
- Smokey quartz can transmute negative energies
- A chalk board can be used to inspire creativity and wisdom, especially in a home office or similar setting
Midnight Blue
- Midnight blue throw pillows on a brown or earthy coloured couch provide balance
- Dark blue pieces of sodalite or lapis lazuli invite more flow and connections
- Midnight blue is a very powerful colour to use for a door or similar as a substantial statement piece
Earth element is related to self-care, stability, and practical support. The colours that invoke the earth element are warm earthy colours like brown, orange, yellow, and other neutral earth tones.
Brown
- Natural brown tones found in wooden furniture or plant stands for example can invoke stability, support and balance
- Crystals with brown tones such as Jasper promote positive energy
- Brown tones used for table place settings can help to invite nourishment
Earthy Oranges
- Soft pillows, poufs and throw rugs in orange or rust colours help to promote positive rest and relaxation
- Orange citrine crystals can invite support and abundance
- You can even use orange in an edible way by keeping a bowl of fresh oranges in your space to liven things up and bring positive light and energy into a room
Yellow
- Much the same as orange, you could use yellow for a throw or floor rug making for an explosion of positive energy
- Fresh yellow flowers as a reminder to focus on self-care
- Yellow candles can help with visual warmth. Choose a light and airy scent to bring some positivity through smell into you space as well
What is interesting about the colours that we’d select to bring the Water Tiger and it’s positivity into our homes is that they are essentially the colours that have already been forecast as the colours that we will be seeing a lot more of in 2022 – you’ll recall reading our blog post back in August where we discussed What is on the Horizon in Interior Design in 2022. The colours of solace, reset, and togetherness which inspire positivity!
I would love to know how you choose to bring positivity inspired by the Year of the Water Tiger into your homes – please do let me know!
