Written by Jennifer Chang |
The kitchen represents wealth in the Chinese culture. When in the kitchen, Feng Shui experts pay most attention to the placement of the stove. The logic follows a positive cycle: food feeds a person’s health therefore the better the food, the more capable the person and the larger his/her potential income.
The chef should be aware of anyone entering the kitchen, or else residents’ health, wealth, and personal relations may suffer. If a cook is surprised, then a nervous chain reaction will be set off. For example, if a husband’s hug startles his wife while she is chopping carrots or cooking over a hot stove, she may get upset and this will not only affect their relationship that evening, but will trickle down to the office the next day.
The cook should work in a spacious, brightly lit, and well ventilated area. A stove that is cramped in the corner will inhibit the chef’s Ch’i flow, lowering the quality of food, and harming the health, wealth, careers, and relationships of family members.
Symbolically, the stove also figures prominently in a home’s finances. It should be clean and work smoothly so that money (ts’ ai) can easily enter the home. All burners should be clean or business will be plagued with obstructions. The family’s prosperity can be influenced by the number of burners; the more burners, the more money earned. If some burners are not regularly used, the family will not prosper.
* If the stove is against the wall: mirrors or reflective aluminum on the walls behind the stove works great for staying aware of your surroundings while in the kitchen. A mirror on the side of the stove will allow for a more peaceful atmosphere and smoother cooking movements. A wind chime or crystal, hung in line with the stove and the door is also a great cure.
References:
1. Interior Design with Feng Shui, Sarah Rossbach, 1987, Penguin Group
For more info, contact Jennifer Chang at (775) 530-7100, specializing in happiness, health, wealth and romance.
