Which came first: the chicken or the egg? In feng shui theory, numbers
represent all kinds of pieces of information. But that number symbolism
has been easy for adherents to over simplify or misinterpret altogether.
It starts with energy. The numbers represent energies that will
interact with each other in a predictable way. Much like H2O is code
for water. So in a sense, a number doesn't have the power to do
anything until it is paired with another number. And a bad guy can do
more damage if he hangs out with another bad guy.
The number 1 represents water and water is symbolic of money. It is the
"shui" of feng shui. But water also represents the fluid systems of the
body, including the kidneys, blood and circulation.
The number 2 represents earth and can represent loneliness or sickness.
It is also associated with the parts of the body around the abdominal
area: digestive and eliminative tracts, reproductive organs and the
spleen.
The number 3 is wood and it can represent legal conflict, arguments and
gossip. The body areas associated with 3 include the feet, throat and
nervous system.
The number 4 (wood) is a greatly misunderstood energy because as a feng
shui symbol it connotes achievement in the arts, music, writing, and all
creative activities. It is only because the word for 4 in Mandarin
sounds like "death" that all kinds of unnecessary fears are attached to
it. In Chinese culture, it is common for the people to not want to live
in a house with a 4 in the address, or to avoid the 4th floor of a
building. This is one example of how people have misinterpreted the
meaning or energy behind numbers.
The number 5 (earth) in feng shui terminology is quite a chameleon.
More so than all the other numbers, the 5 can take on extreme meanings
depending on the changing forces of time. As an example, back in the
late 1940's and 1950's, the 5 energy was associated with power and
money. But now and for the next hundred years, the 5 energy symbolizes
pain, arguments, and set-backs.
The number 6 (metal) is associated with power and authority as well as
the head and lung region. All of these numbers are symbolic of
directions also, with the number 6 representing the direction of NW, as
an example.
The 7 (metal) number has a dualistic meaning in the current times we are
living in. It represents competition and success, but also potential for
betrayal and injury.
The number 8 (earth) is almost universally accepted as representing
prosperity in other numerology systems and cultures. The two joined
circles refer to the circle of life and infinity, but specifically in
Chinese culture the 8 implies happiness, weddings, children, and money.
This is why the Chinese love having a lot of 8's in their telephone
number or address.
The number 9 (fire) acts like an intensifier when it is paired with
other numbers. As an example, when a calculation is done on a house and
it is revealed that the unseen energy at the front door is a 2-9
combination, then the occupants are likely to get very sick, since the 2
by itself represents sickness. Whereas, if someone's front door had the
unseen influences of 8-9, it would indicate tremendous happiness, good
fortune and prosperity.
How does one find out where these numbers (energies) exist in your own
house? A qualified Flying Star feng shui practitioner is trained in
computing these energy patterns and identifying where they are located
inside any structure. But on a primitive, superstitious level, this is
why people simply post the positive numbers around their house, for instance,
some people think that if they hang a sign with the number "1-6-8"
that it will increase their luck. And some place a certain
number of fish in their aquarium as well. However, this would be like someone
posting a sign that said "H2O" if they believed this would keep them
from ever being thirsty.
© Melt Magazine 2003
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