According to ancient Eastern beliefs, feng shui is a vital element in unlocking fortune and encouraging growth in business. Many business owners design and arrange items according to suitable directions to bring good fortune. Join Kamereo in exploring feng shui to attract customers in this article!
What does feng shui mean in business?
It was believed in ancient times that “Without commerce, there is no wealth.” However, not everyone who ventures into business achieves riches. Business success depends on several factors, such as proper planning, effective marketing, and skilled staff. Among these, luck also plays an important role.
Many believe luck stems from factors of “right timing, favorable geography, and harmony.” These factors are collectively called feng shui. This is not a complex concept but rather something very close to our daily lives.
In business, feng shui is evaluated through elements such as property direction, people, structure, and age. These essential principles help businesses reduce risks and operate more effectively.
Feng shui elements that attract customers
There are many feng shui elements that can help attract customers in business. Below are some popular ones to consider:
Location
Location is a critical element for those in business. It is not only about where the store or office is situated but also factors such as age compatibility, office direction, etc., especially the potential for development.
In major cities, finding a perfect feng shui location can be challenging. However, prioritize locations with “open spaces” – areas that promote energy flow and attract positive energy.
Depending on the business model and industry, consider bustling, vibrant areas with a high population density. Avoid secluded areas with fewer people to optimize growth potential.
Open Space (Ming Tang)
In feng shui, the open space, or “ming tang,” is the area in front of or outside the store or office. When selecting a location with ming tang, prioritize areas with ample space, near intersections or bodies of water. This helps attract wealth and opens up more business opportunities.
In business feng shui, there should be taller buildings or mountains behind the location. This setup, known as “tall mountains for protection,” symbolizes support and stability, fostering long-term and steady business growth.
Direction
Selecting the right direction for a store or office also plays a crucial role in business success.
For different ages, the recommended directions are:
- People born in the Year of the Rat: East-West, North-South, West-East; avoid South-North.
- People born in the Year of the Ox: North-South, West-East, South-North; avoid East-West.
- People born in the Year of the Tiger: East-West, South-North, North-East; avoid West-East.
- People born in the Year of the Rabbit: North-South, South-North, East-West; avoid West-East.
- People born in the Year of the Dragon: West-East (excluding West), North-South, East-West; avoid South-North.
- People born in the Year of the Snake: South-North, North-South; avoid West-East.
- People born in the Year of the Horse: East-West, West-East, South-North; avoid North-South.
- People born in the Year of the Goat: North-South, South-North, East-West; avoid West-East.
- People born in the Year of the Monkey: North-South, East-West, West-East; avoid South-North.
- People born in the Year of the Rooster: North-South, South-North, West-East; avoid East-West.
- People born in the Year of the Dog: South-North, West-East, East-West; avoid North-South.
- People born in the Year of the Pig: North-South, East-West, South-North; avoid West-East.
Avoid locations with sharp angles, roads leading directly into the entrance, or a roof facing directly opposite. These factors may cause conflicts and negatively impact the long-term success of a business. Avoid placing electrical boxes or large trees directly in front of the main entrance, as this obstructs flow and may introduce negative energy, causing future illness or misfortune.
Colors
In feng shui, colors are often chosen to match the owner’s zodiac sign. However, in business, color choices often depend on the product and target customers.
Depending on the type of product, you can choose colors for the store, logo, or brand identity. Harmonizing the owner’s favorable colors with the preferences of customers is also important.
Furthermore, colors can be chosen based on the five-element interactions, balancing between yin and yang, such as:
- Water-Wood: Black and Green
- Wood-Fire: Green and Red
- Fire-Earth: Red and Yellow
- Earth-Metal: Yellow and White
- Metal-Water: White and Black
This combination not only enhances aesthetics but also brings prosperity and good fortune in business.
Arrangement
In stores, arranging shelves and display cabinets neatly and cleanly improves the shopping experience for customers and attracts luck and wealth for the store.
Avoid placing mirrors facing the main entrance, aligning front and back doors, or blocking walkways with trash bins. Such arrangements may block wealth and prosperity from entering.
Additionally, displayed items should be arranged according to the attributes of the five elements to create balance and increase positive energy, benefiting the store owner.
Walkways
In a retail space, walkways play a crucial role. This aspect affects the customer experience and is also essential for feng shui. Therefore, walkways should be open and free from obstacles, allowing energy to circulate continuously.
Thus, you can unlock fortune and attract luck for the store. Thoughtfully arranged walkways enhance customer comfort and optimize feng shui, promoting smoother business operations.
God of Wealth Altar
According to folk beliefs, the God of Wealth altar is essential for both households and businesses to receive blessings for prosperity. In feng shui, correctly placing and arranging the altar contributes to stable business growth.
The God of Wealth altar is usually wooden and placed facing the main entrance, inviting wealth. There should be a supportive wall behind the altar, symbolizing stability and enduring success in business.
Position the God of Wealth altar to enhance fortune
The God of Wealth plaque often reads “Attract Wealth and Protect Treasure.” Some areas also display couplets on either side of the altar, like “Earth brings jade, soil brings gold.” In front of the plaque, 100 gold paper ingots are often placed as a symbol of wealth. Other common items include:
- Incense holders and flower vases: Usually made of porcelain or green stone. Fresh flowers are preferred over dried ones to ensure vibrancy.
- Incense bowl: Made of porcelain, metal, or stone. When handling the incense bowl, the owner should maintain cleanliness and avoid using wet cloths on the altar. Since the altar represents Fire, Water can have a negative impact on wealth.
- Trays for rice, salt, water, and liquor: Replaced with each incense offering. In some places, three containers of rice, salt, and water are only replaced during the Lunar New Year. Five cups of water or liquor can also be used to represent the five elements.
- Three-legged toad: Placed in a decorative bowl filled with water and covered with flowers to symbolize guarding wealth and preventing financial loss.
Things to avoid when worshiping the God of Wealth
There are several key points to observe when worshiping the God of Wealth to ensure the smooth attraction of wealth:
- Ensure that the incense sticks are aligned. Overlapping incense sticks can hinder wealth accumulation, leading to business decline.
- Besides the God of Wealth, include the Earth God on the altar, with a Chinese script label behind for additional blessings and protection.
- A mirror plaque is essential in altar setup. Missing it may lead to diminished fortune, making it hard to save money, leading to financial losses.
- Avoid placing the God of Wealth altar near the bathroom, in front of mirrors, kitchens, or sharp corners, as these can negatively impact prosperity and fortune.
Feng Shui Items
Choosing feng shui items in business is no longer uncommon. These items aim to help business owners dispel bad luck, turn misfortune into fortune, and bring harmony and prosperity to business operations.
Here are some popular feng shui items to attract fortune and ease in business:
- Phuc – Loc – Tho Trio: This set of statues symbolizes the wish for peace, prosperity, and good health for both family and business.
- Pi Xiu (Pixiu): Known as a powerful feng shui item, Pi Xiu dispels misfortune, attracts wealth, and enhances luck.
- Gold Ingot: Representing wealth and abundance, placing a gold ingot in a store can attract riches and improve business conditions.
- Three-Legged Toad: This toad, with its bumpy skin and coin in its mouth, signifies luck and prosperity.
Depending on your business goals and needs, selecting and arranging these feng shui items can significantly support attracting fortune and ease in operations.
Cashier Area
The cashier counter is a vital spot in the store, as it manages financial matters. Therefore, it’s essential to follow some feng shui principles to ensure customer attraction and financial luck.
Positioning the Cashier Counter
Place the cashier counter in the “White Tiger” direction (on the right when viewed from inside looking toward the entrance) to foster calm and stability. Avoid the “Green Dragon” direction, which may hinder financial retention and impact customer habits. Choose a spot with auspicious energy based on the store’s orientation and the owner’s birth year. Additionally, the area should be well-lit to welcome positive energy, with fresh flowers added to enhance vitality and create a friendly space.
Counter Height The ideal counter height is 110-120cm, facilitating ease during transactions. This also ensures that the counter is not near flammable or hazardous items.
Behind the Cashier Counter
A solid wall behind the counter is recommended; avoid placing it near entrances, drainage, or restrooms. If there’s a glass wall behind, use curtains for stability.
Neat and Clean
Keeping the counter organized and clean not only prevents errors but also aids the smooth flow of good energy and keeps negative energy at bay.
These elements not only make the cashier counter efficient but also contribute to ease and fortune in business.
Signage
Signage is a key element that directly impacts business. To ensure signage is both attractive to customers and aligned with feng shui, consider the following points:
- Number and Colors on the Sign: In feng shui, LED signage should ideally feature an odd number of colors, with three or five colors being ideal. The number three symbolizes growth, while five represents completeness, attracting wealth and good fortune.
- Shape and Material: The sign should maintain balance for the store, without obstructing windows or doors. Avoid triangular shapes and softwood materials to ensure safety and prevent feng shui-related issues.
- Placement of the Sign: If the sign is in the south direction, take care as fire energy can be excessive, increasing fire risk. For signs in the southwest direction, there may be adverse effects on the health of those inside, possibly leading to illness.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided a positive perspective on using feng shui to attract customers and fortune. While this is mainly a spiritual element, it is trusted by many successful entrepreneurs. Follow “F&B Business Insights” for more helpful information on feng shui!