The word “bagua” (pronounced bag-wha) means eight-sided in Chinese. The traditional Feng Shui bagua is an octagon that contains eight areas (or guas) plus a grounding center, for a total of nine areas corresponding to critical aspects of life.
Modern Feng Shui use a grid-shaped chart, like the one shown below, which contains the same eight life areas and grounding center as the traditional octagon, but more closely resembles the shape of our homes.
How to Use the Feng Shui Bagua
Step #1: Orient the bagua by standing at your front door looking in to your home. Even if you usually enter your home through the garage or side door, orient the bagua from the true front door.
Step #2: Draw the floor plan of the first floor of your home, including all attached structures like the garage, side porch, and deck. Ultimately, you can draw the floor plan for each level of your home, including the basement and attic.
Step #3: Divide the floor plan into the nine equal areas. Then, determine where the rooms lie within the bagua. Once you know what each area of your home represents, you can add furniture, accessories, and colors to activate these areas.
Here are some of my favorite objects to place in each bagua area to activate its attributes.
Power/Wealth/Abundance
* Valuable possessions and collections
* Fine art
* Pictures of desired objects
Fame/Future/Reputation
* Diplomas, awards, prizes
* Pictures that represent future aspirations
* Image of a sunrise
Love/Relationships/Marriage
* Photos of you and your spouse/partner
* Pairs of objects
* Pictures of romantic places
Creativity/Children/Legacy
* Artwork and pictures of children
* Whimsical images and items associated with childhood
* Creative projects, craft supplies, hobbies
Compassion/Travel/Helpful People
* Images that represent mentors and heroes
* Successful business projects
* Pictures of places you want to visit
Self/Career/Work
* Fountains or fish tanks
* Artwork depicting moving water
* Items that represent career success
Knowledge/Wisdom/Harmony
* Books, DVDs, CDs
* School materials
* Images that feel peaceful
Family/Health/Community
* Photos of family and friends
* Heirlooms and antiques
* Items you associated with good health
Well-Being/Balance
* Artwork that depicts mountains
* Objects that feel grounded and secure
* Items made of ceramics or clay
When adding objects, shapes, or colors to activate a bagua area, some people are tempted to overdue it and put all of these items in each of the bagua areas of their home. I recommend you resist the urge to over-adjust. One or two items that represent the attributes of each Feng Shui bagua area for you will do the job.
Want to download a larger version of the bagua to use to map out your own home? Click here to download a color bagua. Choose either a horizontal or vertical bagua, depending on which one matches the general shape of your home.
