Painting Handbook
There are many children's drawings showing the sky in pink, the earth in purple and the trees in blue. These drawings are populated with orange people and skies are filled with bright red birds. These drawings are as colourful, as rich, as full of life as the children who drew them.
The painters have paintings with which they express life and those who reflect it. We look at these paintings and we observe colours, shadows and their harmonic dance, becoming unable to take our eyes off them.
We all have our own lifestyle, given form by our own tastes. We decorate our houses with the colours we like the most, we use our favourite colours the most in our clothing. Like in paintings and pictures, our lives are composed of colours. Moreover, we characterise some people and lifestyles as "colourless". Colours occupy a larger place in our daily lives than what we mostly assume, and we are affected by colours much more than we realise. Even though many know about psychological effects of colours, very few people know about their physiological effects. Yes, colours do also affect our physiology. To understand the underlying cause of this interaction we only need to remember that fundamentally colour is light, and light is electromagnetic energy. As the light enters different wavelengths different colours are generated. In other words, colour is the appearance of light in different rates of oscillation.
Colours affect us by the low or high energy oscillation they carry. Colours have the power to cast deep positive or negative effects on our emotional, mental and physical world.
Studies have shown strong correlations between colours and human behaviour. It is shown that our favourite colours hold many clues to characteristics of our personality. Our colour choices can indicate our temperament, our living conditions, our conscious experiences as well as the quality of energy we need.
"Colour wheels" are used to decipher the relation between colours and one's personality: comments on personality structure are made according to colour selections made on these wheels comprised of 8 bright colours. Selected colours unravels subconscious desires, deficiencies and hidden talents, and thus can be used as an effective personal development tool.
RED
Red is the colour of physical power, movement and liveliness. It encourages beginnings. It provides the drive to act. It is the antithesis of inactivity. It represents passion and sexual love. Its negative aspects emerge as rudeness and insensitivity. It causes anger and aggression. Its complementary colour is turquoise.
Use in Ambiance
Suitable for spaces with a lot of action; like kitchens, children's rooms, dance studios, discos and open public spaces. Darker shades should be avoided, since these will create an intense and oppressive ambiance. Red should not be used on the walls and in areas where electrical devices are operated.
Use in Health
Red supports generation of blood cells and increases blood flow rate. It should be used in treatment of anaemia, paralysis, colds and flu. It helps alleviate melancholy and sadness. It is not recommended for patients with hypertension and feverish illnesses. If your favourite colour is red, this means you are a passionate and active person. You have strong leadership instincts, making you a typical leader and pioneer. You like challenge. Succeeding and reaching your goals is your life philosophy. You depend on your strength and determination more than your plans. But, you can have trouble finding balance in your life if you fail to integrate these intense emotions with your logic.
ORANGE
Orange is extroverted and exciting like red, but more constructive in comparison. Health, liveliness, creativity, trust, courage and communication are characteristics of orange. It gives happiness. It emerges as a desire to crush and overcome negativity. Sometimes it can manifest as a pretentious personality. Its complementary colour is blue.
Use in Ambiance
Orange creates warmth in kitchens, children's rooms, dining rooms and corridors. It should be used in areas where a cheerful and happy effect is desires, as well as large spaces. It is not suitable for office spaces, studies and bedrooms.
Use in Health
Orange activates vascular system, nervous system and respiratory system. It stimulates mental activity and accelerates metabolism. It is recommended for breastfeeding mothers. It is needed for health teeth, hair and nails. Lighter shades are used for rheumatism. It is beneficial for the liver. It is not recommended for people under stress. If your favourite colour is orange this means you have an easily excitable personality. You are cheerful, enthusiastic and social. You like talking and discussing. Your rapid moving energy can cause you to feel tired. People of orange are passionate to prove themselves right. You should change this attitude and develop inner peace.
YELLOW
Yellow is bright, cheerful and compassionate. It gives hope. It signifies humility, knowledge and wisdom. It gives inspiration. Its negative aspects can emerge as hypocrisy and a tendency for deceit. It can cause mental confusion. Its complementary colour is purple.
Use in Ambiance
It is very suitable for kitchens. It should not be used in studies, since it can cause mental confusion. It is not recommended in resting spaces.
Use in Health
It is effective on digestive system. It prevents indigestion and improves appetite. It strengthens nervous system and muscular system. It can be used for tissue and bone inflammations. It expedites discharge of toxins in the body and cleans the blood. It is not recommended for nervous and mental disorders. If your favourite colour is yellow you look at life through a frame of reason and logic. You like calculating causal relations. You like to keep events under control, and can become offending when thing don’t go as planned. You are an impressive speaker. You like being the focus of attention. You are successful in jobs which require responsibility and authority.
GREEN
Green is the colour of sharing, cooperation, harmony and generosity. It is a soothing colour, giving a sense of trust and peace. Its natural energy is freedom. Green is the colour of life, renewal and evolution. Its negative aspects can emerge as indifference, jealousy, suspicion and egotism. Its negative effects can also include distrust and laziness. Its complementary colour is magenta.
Use in Ambiance
Lighter shades of green are suitable for kitchens. Darker shades should be used in flooring and tiling. It provides a peaceful effect when used in areas like courtyards and entrances. It provides a soothing effect in hospital rooms. It should not be used in spaces occupied by people inclined to inactivity.
Use in Health
It is related to formation of muscle, skin and tissue. It helps cell restoration and strengthens cell structure. It protects nervous system and heart. It helps remove toxins from the body. It has a soothing and restful effect. It can help people overcome claustrophobia. When used incorrectly it can cause the feeling of weariness and idleness. If your favourite colour is green you have a very balanced personality which does not go to any extremes. You are efficient and orderly. You love nature and head for natural spaces at every opportunity. You create a harmonious, gentle and sincere ambiance around you. Sometimes you have trouble adapting to changes. You might have to rearrange your look at life.
TURQUOISE
It signified a strong alteration and transformation. It shows an open minded, helpful and proud personality. It supports attention. It helps self-expression. Its negative aspects can emerge as fear of action and timidity. Another negative effect can be the desire for emotional and mental isolation. Its complementary colour is red.
Use in Ambiance
It provides liveliness and airiness, making spaces appear larger. It can used in bathrooms, bedrooms and studies. Lighter shades can be used for walls.
Use in Health
Turquoise is very restful. It is used in treatment of headaches, allergies, sensitisation, cuts and burns. It is effective for skin diseases. It enhances the skin. It reduces stress and tenseness, and expedites discharge of toxins. It helps against diseases by strengthening the immune system. It clears the mind. It is not recommended for those inclined to inactivity.
If your favourite colour is turquoise you are full of life. You look at the world differently, through frame of different ideas. You do not panic easily. You prefer to let things take their course. You make decisions easily and grasp situations with a great clarity. You are talented and discerning. You can express yourself easily. Since people of turquoise pay the largest attention to spiritual world sometimes it is hard for them to act in a realistic way.
BLUE
It signifies the spiritual world and deep passions. It symbolises peace, trust and loyalty. It is the colour of ability, beauty and responsibility. Blue provides peace, love and healing. It suggests hope, belief and freedom. Its negative aspect may emerge as an unending quest for more. Its negative effect can also include distrust, escapism and heavy sentimentality. It can also drag people into monotony and inactivity. Its complementary colour is orange.
Use in Ambiance
It can be used any space intended for calming, stress relieving and resting effect. Its lighter shades are suitable for bedrooms and meditation areas. It should not be used in areas with a lot of action and work. Its darker shades can have a negative effect, causing inactivity and melancholy.
Use in Health
It is used for hypertension and feverish illnesses. It reduces body temperature in case of sunburns. It helps against stress, headaches and throat illnesses. It is beneficial for migraine, meningitis, insomnia and bowel disorders. Colour blue is effective against paediatric problems, and it can especially be used in case of teething, throat and tonsil aches, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, etc. Energy of colour blue can also be used for eye disorders like myopia, cataracts, etc. It is not recommended for those suffering from paralysis, cold and hypotension. People inclined to melancholy should stay away from this colour. If your favourite colour is blue, you are a gentle and peaceful person. People around you would describe you as an introvert and a philosopher. Truthfulness and honesty are very important for you. You are faithful and trusting. People like to be around you thanks to the peace, trust and serenity surrounding you. You want order in your life.
PURPLE
Purple symbolises nobility, prestige and self-confidence. Its emergent properties are autonomy and integrity. It is the colour of spiritual energy and intuition. Creativity, tolerance and mental strength are related to the colour purple. Its negative aspects may emerge as forgetfulness and impatience.
When uses incorrectly it can cause an aggressive and disrespectful character, resulting in arrogant pride. It can cause the loss of character integrity and collapse of personality. Its complimentary colour is yellow.
Use in Ambiance
It is suitable for spiritual activities, especially for meditation rooms. It is also used in religious ceremonies. Lighter shades of purple, like lavender, lilac and orchid, are used in bedrooms and studies. Lighter shades can also be used to decorate waiting rooms of hospitals and clinics, since these colours activate self-confidence of people.
When combined with bright, eye-catching colours it can cause a negative effect. Such combinations should not be used in spaces occupied by people with mental disorders, alcoholism or substance dependence problems.
Use in Health
Purple is related with all glands in the body and it affects hormonal system. It can be used in treatment of meningitis, brain trauma, epilepsy, etc. It is used for eye and ear disorders. It has a blood cleaning effect. It plays a role in health of lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. It has significant effect on skeletal structure. It can be used in treatment of various types of cancer. If your favourite colour is purple the fundamental basis of your personality is spirituality. You are interested in mysterious events. Still, your interest in worldly matters is greater in comparison to people of blue. You find a great balance between this and your spirituality. Helping people with their health is very important for you. You have a dignified and noble soul. You are suited for jobs that require artistry and sensitivity. Believing you do not entirely fulfil your characteristics might be your only weakness.
MAGENTA
Magenta is deemed the most elegant of all colours. It signifies idealism, and it is related to respect, gratitude and loyalty. Its energy brings understanding and maturity. It provides a management philosophy which does not discriminate between people. It is gentle, warm and protective. It is expression of love and compassion.
Its negative aspects may emerge as the desire to be superior and to dominate. It can lead to empty pride. When used incorrectly it can cause lack of self-confidence.
Use in Ambiance
It is suitable for use in bedrooms and building entrances. It gives assurance. Lighter shades, including rose pink and salmon, can be used in bathrooms and bedrooms. It has a calming effect. It removes aggression. It can be used as a wall paint in combination with its complementary colour, green. It is recommended to paint office spaces, kitchens and studies in this colour.
Use in Health
It increases blood flow to the brain and helps balance nervous system. It controls headaches, hypertension and nervous disorders. If you are overworked and excessively tired you should wear clothes in magenta or pink colour. Its energy is restful, protective and gentle.It is effective for memory loss, heart palpitations and stomach problems. It regulates respiratory system, adrenaline secretions and renal function.
If your favourite colour is magenta your fundamental characteristics are civility, gentleness and fair treatment of others. You are compassionate and warm person. You approach people with understanding and love, and guide them toward using their full potential. You are a friendly person who enjoys collaboration. You affect those around you with the power of love.
WHITE, BLACK AND OTHER COLOURS
White collects the entire spectrum of light in its structure. It balances and cleans the energy system. It reveals and develops creativity. When used in combination with other colours it enhances their effect. Black, grey and brown are not found in the rainbow and the colour wheel. They have extremely intense and heavy energy. When used correctly they have a positive effect. Black has a balancing effect against extremes; however its solitary use should best be avoided. Brown provides social balance and ease in society. It if effective on the mind. Considering people spend approximately two thirds of their life in closed spaces, the importance and effect of colours used in these spaces gain that much more importance.
Colour is one of the most important factors in determining the relation we establish with our environment. More than any other element, colour can render a monotonous and simple environment into a rich one.
Changing colour of your walls can make a more impactful effect in comparison to changing furniture, or even completely reorganising the layout of a room.
In order to establish a relation with our special colours in interior design we need to overcome that fear of being different and singular which typically prevents people from "experimenting" with colours and better exploring their own tastes. Many people are conditioned to surround themselves with "reasonable", "quiet", neutral and pastel colours which limit our self-expression.
Colours of the paint, wallpaper, flooring, parting and other elements in a room is like the clothes covering the frame or roof of a building. Like the clothes worn by a person covers their skin, muscles and bones.
A general rule of colour use in decoration which we should not forget is the fact that use of too much colour will cause imbalance same as use of too little colour. To attain constructive effect colour use should be measured. The most harmonious look can be achieved when colours are used in combination with their complementary counterparts.
When creating a colour arrangement the first thing to consider is your own personality. Other questions you should ask include the following:
1. What activities will be performed in this space?
2. How much light does this space get? Is it basically a light space or a dark space?
3. Which natural colours are found in the space? Examine elements like wood, brick and stone in the space.
4. Do you want a striking and rich space, or a peaceful and quiet space?
5. Do you want a basically cool ambiance or a basically warm ambiance in this space?
6. Do you want a high ceiling or a low ceiling?
7. Do you want this space to look larger or smaller?
8. What is the basic shape of the space? Is it narrow and long, or wide and short?
Imagine you want to decorate a room with rich, bright and striking colours. Generally such colours provide an affect making the room volume appear smaller. Red, pink, orange and yellow will provide the desired accent. These colours provide the best results in active spaces. You can decorate your kitchen, or part of it, in this fashion.
Other spaces that might benefit from rich and bright colours include children's play room or dining room. On the other hand, you might be looking for a calmer and gentler ambiance. Green, purple and blue can provide this effect. These colours can be used in the bedroom or the study. These colours provide an effect of capaciousness and airiness.
LIVING ROOM AND SITTING ROOM
Colour of the living room and the sitting room should be selected according to the present natural colours in the space. The floors, the fireplace, brickwork or stonework should be taken as starting points, and hard contrast should be avoided between colours with darker and lighter shading. Because contrasted colours attract more attention. The purpose of these rooms, however, is to allow the occupants to engage in activities like reading books, listening to music, having conversations and listening without having their concentration broken.
In selection of curtains and blinds selection of a colour slightly contrasting the selected wall colour is recommended. As a general rule, the sitting group elements, carpets and chair upholstery should be in a darker shade of the wall colour.
The basic rule for living and sitting rooms is to combine colours without creating strong contrast. You can take advantage of the colours of items like vases, lampshades and flowers in the room to provide striking accents.
DINING ROOM
A happy, warm and inviting ambiance can be created in dining room walls by using colours ranging from light to medium shades. Colours reminiscent of natural colours and fruit colours are recommended for this purpose. Colours like pale green and yellow should be avoided as much as possible, because these colours can remind people of illness and discomfort.
Small items like tablecloths or table napkins can be used as contrast colours. Generally, care should be taken to provide sufficient lighting to ensure colours of dishes can be clearly seen.
KITCHEN
Kitchen is rarely a place of rest. Therefore, stimulating colours should be targeted and colours from warm colours section of the colour catalogue should be selected for the kitchen. These colours support attention, readiness and creativity. Contrasting colours can be used on the kitchen counter; this will also increase the light reflection from the counter. Areas with colours of darker shades will need stronger and clearer lighting. All towels, porcelains, pans and other items used in the kitchen provide an opportunity to create accent against the basic colour of the room.
BEDROOM
This must be a space of relaxation and peace. Therefore soft colours should be preferred rather than strong contrast and heavy colours. Climate should also be taken into consideration. Warm colours should be used in cold countries, while airy and cool colours like blue group should be used in hot countries.
CHILD ROOM
Red, orange and yellow based colours should be preferred in order to create a clear and bright ambiance for children under middle school age. On the other hand, lighter shades of green and blue based colours are more suitable for children of middle school age and older. Dark colours should be avoided. Care should also be taken to ensure sufficient lighting to avoid straining children's eyes when they are reading.
BATHROOM
Bathrooms are generally small spaces. Therefore, expansive colours ranging between light and medium shades are recommended for bathroom walls. Tiles, bathtub, sink and toilet are fixed elements. Therefore these elements shall be the starting point. White and off-white are suitable colours for bathroom, being evocative of the feeling of cleanliness and healthiness. Other suitable colours include light to medium shades of blue, turquoise, blue-green, aquamarine or green. These colours represent natural elements. They evoke water, freshness and large spaces. Items like towels, toothbrushes, hair dryers, etc. can be used to place colours in contrast with the general colour group.
COMMON USE ROOMS
The most suitable common colour should be determined according to purposes of the people who will use the space in common. When you wish to create a striking ambiance win common use rooms you should select in favour of darker and richer colours. Colours like rose, peach, lemon, lilac and pink and their shades can be used to create a warm and relaxing ambiance.
We can all remember being asked this question as a child!
"What is your favourite colour?"
A person's unique colour preference can provide clues to their character… Because colours reveal personal characteristics and spiritual structure of people!
Why do people like certain colours? People do prefer some colours, because they like it, even when it goes against their needs. Changes in fashion and effects of these changes can also affect colour preference.
Now select your favourite colour and decide how much it suits your character.
RED
If you like red you are an energetic extrovert ready to move. New beginnings, action, motivation and passion are words describing you…
You also love drama. You are friendly and forgiving red-lover who knows how to be grateful. The colour red also emphasises your strong sexuality. You are strong and successful, or you want to appear so.
ORANGE
If you love orange you are a courageous and adventurous inspirer of enthusiasm and ardour in other, even if it costs you more energy. You are very assertive in every action you take on.
You make people around you happy with your sincerity and liveliness… Your communication skills and your sense of humour are very strong. You like to laugh and make others laugh. Communication, action and initiative are basics of your character.
YELLOW
If you love yellow, you are an intellectual. Reason and logic are yours to wield! You are a diligent person. You like having authority and control on any environment you occupy. You are open minded and detail-oriented. You give hope to people around you, making them believe everything will be better. You inspire people with your ideas.
GREEN
If you prefer green, you are known for your sharing, harmonious, giving and charitable character. Your positive judgement, comprehension and understanding make you the symbol of trust and protection for your family and friends. Creating the correct environment for decision making is an important skill of yours…
The importance you attach to freedom, harmony and equality arise from your sense of justice. You value nature and the feeling of assurance it provides. You are a conservative person; you prefer being short and succinct, and to avoid attention in crowds.
TURQUOISE
People are interested in you. Your communicative, calm and relaxing personality has a large role in this. The openness of your ideas and emotions allow you to be open in communication. You like to be viewed as young spirited and lively. Your gentle and helpful personality carries you to success. Being attentive and discerning on any subject is one of your basic characteristics…
BLUE
Blue points to the doorway to the deep truths of one's spirit. One of your best characteristics is your willingness. Loyalty and trust are cornerstones of your existence and destiny.
You have strong feelings of responsibility, loyalty and order. These characteristics inspire awe in people around you. You have a popular personality associated with beauty and grace. Your calm strength evokes peace, tranquillity, destiny, warmth and relaxing feelings.
PURPLE
You have respect for yourself. Nobility and self-sufficiency are among your major characteristics… Most probably, you are involved in a discipline of arts. Combining your creative personality with your energy, vision and intuition, you are able write your own destiny.
You are identified with tolerance and understanding; as well as forgetfulness and impatience… you symbolise practical idealism combined with humility.
MAGENTA
This colour brings forth your sensibilities of courtesy and grace. You have a passionate soul, in love with love, with well-developed sensibilities of compassion. Idealism, in its purest form, finds flesh in you.
You are identified with devotion, respect and gratitude. You symbolise understanding, maturity, courtesy, calmness and protectiveness. Guiding and managing others is another one of your skills.
BLACK
You have a traditional and respectable personality, but on the other hand you either reject society or rebel against its norms. You probably have a successful business life, because black is a symbol of power and authority. It is also a fact that despite all its respectability, black also confers you with a mysterious and sexy look…
You frequently think on death, sorrow and some regrets. Your hidden sides left in darkness can sometimes make you depressive and unhappy.
WHITE
If you like white you have a side identifying with cleanliness, purity and innocence. You have a relaxing effect cooling hot ambiances. People are very much affected by this.
You have a wide outlook allowing you to get along with everyone around you. You get strongly attached to people and objects. You are affected by separation more than anyone else… You are closely interested in spiritual matters and other world. You view death not as an end, but as a glorious beginning.
BROWN
If you like brown, you have a personality that can cut straight to the root of the matter, simply and directly dealing with complicated problems. Stability is your middle name. Your motto is do what is logical.
You are pragmatic and materialistic. But you are also orderly and patient… You have full self-confidence and self-belief… You are very faithful to your job, family and friends. An organised lifestyle and a strong basis future are prerequisites for your happiness.
Researchers in Kansas University Arts Museum have equipped underneath an exhibit room carpet with an electronic system and rigged a wall capable of changing colour between white and brown. When a white background was used visitors moved slower in the museum, staying longer and visiting more areas. When the background was changed to brown, people moved faster through the museum, visited fewer areas and left the museum in a shorter period of time. This is why across the world all fast-food restaurants have brown chairs and tables, and their walls are painted in combinations of brown-champagne-pink. You cannot find any fast-food location with white walls.
Brown is also considered an informal, relaxed colour. It allows the person you interact with to feel unofficial and easier, thus helping them to be more open. I did not strictly follow him for this purpose, but whenever I see Larry King, the famous television personality known for making all celebrities open up to him, he wears brown ties and jackets. In a seminar I gave for a magazine group in İstanbul I talked about this point to the journalists, and I told them wearing brown would provide them with an advantage during their interviews. Later, a journalist friend from the same magazine group told me "Mr. Şerif, I had an interview one day after your talk, I wore brown, and indeed we couldn’t make the guy stop talking." Dear friend Özden Aslan once said no three-piece suit was made in Australia since the '40s. Westerners say "You blend in people"; brown is the colour of earth and so you blend and disappear among other people. Do not ever wear brown to job interviews or professional meetings.
Red evokes appetite. So you wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot food companies across the world have red logos, e.g. Cola Cola, Pizza Hut, Mc Donalds, Ülker, Burger King... this list can be extended to thousands more.
Red increases blood pressure and blood flow. Forget about time! Have more appetite, drink more! Stay awake!
In a seminar I was asked "Then why bulls rush to red?"
Studies conducted with animals show excluding primates, almost all animals have monochromatic vision. In order words, bulls are colour-blind. They do not attack the colour red, but the dark coloured cloth being waved at them. Someone should let the Spanish people know. Maybe the red cloth evoking blood, excitement and energy is not being waved at the poor, death-row bull in the arena, but at the thousands of maniacs who lust for death, blood and, in connection, sexuality sitting before their televisions.
So I asked in return "Do you know why firemen wear red belts?" No one knew the answer. It is simple: "To keep their pants on."
Green evokes trust. This is why it is one of the two most preferred colours for bank logos. It is also a relaxing colour for the bedroom. It stimulates creativity. I heard large western hotels have their kitchen walls painted green to increase creativity of their cooks. Hospitals also prefer green for their logos and interior design, because it is a relaxing and calming colour. It is colour most suggestive of nature.
It is found that people suffer less stomach pain in green ambiances. Green is also preferred on gum packets and grocery sale points.
Black symbolises power and passion. It is also an expression of ambition.
While black symbolises mourning for us and western cultures, it is a symbol of happiness in Japan.
When used in background it evokes pessimism. It extinguishes light.
Black provides the strongest concentration effect. It is said Einstein took to a room with black curtains and no sunlight to concentrate and think.
Freud characterises blue as calm. Faber Birren says it reduces blood pressure. Arabic peoples believed blue stones slowed down blood flow. This is why the nazar amulets are blue. Blue is a calming colour. In western countries bridge railings are painted in blue in order to decrease suicides by taking advantage of this effect. (Since most suicides at the Bosporus Bridge turn out to be for show, rather than painting the railings blue, spotlights and red background can be used to provide an appropriate stage effect.)
An elementary school in USA is reported to have seen a decrease in misbehaviour in children after changing the colour of their walls from white and orange to blue.
Blue, and especially ultramarine, is deemed as a cosmic colour. It evokes infinity, authority and efficiency. Therefore more than half of the companies in the world use the colour blue in their logos. When they changed logo into ultramarine the Hilton people knew they would create the image of a larger organisation in the public mind. Similarly, we saw Bill Clinton wear a blue tie rather than his favourite gold-bronze form and colour before testifying to Grand Jury, because the latter would readily suggest gold and money.
It is found that purple reveals neurotic feelings and evokes fear in subconscious of people. It was reported that the child who killed himself by jumping from a roof in Ataköy in 1998 was a schizophrenic. In the photograph of that scene every item in the frame, from the day planner on ground to the lighter thrown to one side, was purple. This kid, whose innocent expression broke my heart, had even painted his nails in purple.
It is found people feel more comfortable making service payments to people who wear pink. I noticed that all clerks in Boots and Marks & Spencer shops in UK wear pink shirts. (After reading this our check mafia might also wear pink shirts when they go to collect.)
Yellow is the colour of temporariness and conspicuousness. This is why taxi cabs are coloured yellow across the world. To be conspicuous and to let people know they are there temporarily. Car rental companies also use yellow in their logos. This means "This product is for temporary use, please bring it back." This is why no bank in the world uses basic yellow in their logo. (Orange, bronze and copper colours can be seen in their logos sometimes.) They want money to feel permanent, not temporary. In fact, it could also mean "your money will not stay with us for long, we will pay off politicians with it."
White symbolises stability, permanence and cleanliness. So, if you are politician with a tarnished reputation you should prefer mostly white clothes. White clothes send the message you are clean.
This is the world of colours, and how companies use them...
Feng Shui is the science of living in harmony with the space (internal or external) we occupy, and various techniques are used to ensure this harmony. Lexical meaning of Feng Shui is "wind" and "water". Wind and water are two fluid elements affecting the nature.
What is chi life force?
There are constantly moving cosmic and metaphysical energies in and around the spaces we live. This energy is called as "Chi". Chi continually moves through atmosphere silently and invisibly. Chi is a powerful force. Chinese identify this power as "cosmic breath of the dragon". Purpose of Feng Shui is to harness this power in the most beneficial way.
What are positive and negative energies?
Positive Energy (Sheng Chi)
Chi can be found in the earth, in the air, in our body, in summary, everywhere. The important point is not to block this flow of energy and ensure that the flow is not in a direct line. When you do this, energy becomes positive.
Negative Energy (Shar Chi)
Energy reflected on us on a direct line flow too rapidly and this creates negative energy. Feng Shui includes methods to prevent negative energy.
Why Feng Shui?
Chinese believe positive and negative energies have constructive and adverse effects on people's lives. When implemented correctly, Feng Shui provides positive results for both the individual and other members of their family.
Feng Shui teaches us how to use our living space and working space, in other words any space we occupy, in the wisest manner possible.
Feng Shui and our living space
We should endure a slow and gentle flow of energy in our living space. There are two important points to ensure this:
Points that need attention to ensure positive energy flow:
1. Entrance:
The direction the entrance (street door) of the house is very important. In addition, following points should be considered to ensure positive energy at the entrance:
A toilet across the entrance or a toilet over the entrance in two storey houses is not preferable, since your visitors will flow away as the flush goes away. There should not be any stairs or door across the entrance door, because energy flow will enter and rapidly and directly exit from the opposite door.
There should not be a mirror opposite the entrance, because energy entering the house will be mirrored directly out back again. Also, there should not be three or more doors on the same line with the entrance door. This rule is also applicable for corridors. If three doors open on the same line, that space will always have quarrels and disputes.
No sharp corner or column should be opposite the entrance. Also, no glazing should be opposite the entrance. Otherwise the energy entering the house will leave without being able to permeate the house.
2. Bedroom
Since we spend one third of our life in sleep, layout of bedroom is very important to recharge our energy and ensure we are well-rested.
The points to pay attention are as follow:
Feet should not be laid towards the door when sleeping.
Sheets and covers used in the bedroom should be selected in straight colours or should not have geometric motifs if they are to be patterned. Because geometric patterns spreads negative energies and prevents us from getting rest.
Headboard of the bed should not be against the window or placed under the window.
It is not good to sleep under a beam, because beams symbolise separation, and people who sleep under beams experience health problems. This rule also applies to sitting spaces.
For married couples, using two one person beds adjacent to each other symbolises separation.
Adult bedroom looking south-west will bring happiness to marital relations. Yang colours (red and gold) should be used in the bedroom as much as possible. Because sleep is a Yin (-) activity, and these colours activates energies and prevents oversleeping.
Electronic devices like TV, music set, computer, etc. should not be found your bedroom, because such devices projects electromagnetic energy and they are bad for your health.
There should not be any live plant in the room. Living plants are only used to provide positive energy flow in bedrooms of sick people.
The bedroom should not contain any item like an aquarium involved with water.
Feng Shui and land selection
In Feng Shui location of the house and the land it stands on are as important as interior layout and decoration. If the back of the house faces north this provides a sound support at our back. If the house entrance faces south this means we will find positive and constructive opportunities. If the right side of the exit looks to the west, this will provide a protective aspect for the house. If the left side of the exit looks to the east, this means you will have strong financial power. Straight and uninclined land is not good in regard of Feng Shui. Because on such lands the flow of energy will be direct and therefore negative, and there will not be any inclination or irregularity to protect you.
What is the element theory?
Knowing about "CREATIVE" and "DESTRUCTIVE" aspects when analysing elements is one of the basic rules of Feng Shui. This approach is also used in Chinese astrologic sciences. In Chinese astrology every person has a sign denoted by animals (Mouse, Bull, Tiger, Boar, etc.) and an element (Water, Wood, Earth, Fire, Metal) according to their birth date (day, month and year). When implementing Feng Shui you have to know your element. You can learn about your Chinese astrology sign and your element as well as more detailed information on Feng Shui at the address www.feng-shui.com.tr