If a picture paints a thousand words what do your walls say about you?
If you were like me as a kid your bedroom wall would have been covered with posters and pictures. For me it was the Bay City Rollers, Jackson Five and, of course Donny Osmond. I guess you can work out my age now! For others a football team, pictures of friends or family.
As kids we put stuff on our walls that we wanted to look at. That allowed us to dream and imagine our future lives. Our pictures inspired us. We knew the value of an image and how it affects us on a subliminal level. But I often wonder if we lose that as we grow up.
Perhaps we adorn our walls now for different reasons: because we’re trying to emulate somebody else, because we saw it in a magazine, because it was a present and we feel we should hang it up, because it matches the colour scheme or because the wall’s bare without ‘something’.
Wherever we go we are inundated with images, so much that we have to block a lot of it out or our brains would frazzle. However, there are two places where images can have a deep effect on us, slowly seeping their message into our subconscious and you may not even know that it’s happening. Those places are our home and our workplace.
So let’s take a step back and think about images whether they are paintings, posters or any other artwork on display. They all visually represent something. It may be something that we recognise or it may be abstract where colour and shape dominate. Whatever is represented we will have a visual/mind reaction when we look at it. We’ll like it, not like or couldn’t really care less.
However, images have a much deeper effect on us and our choices of imagery in our homes and workplaces can be very telling. Once we understand this effect, we can use it to our advantage to make changes in our environments and, therefore, in our lives. This is a vital part of a Feng Shui consultation where images can exacerbate an issue and can often be used as cures.
What are you battling against?
This depicts a scene from the charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War. It’s a pretty rousing picture and would not look out of place in a traditional house, perhaps in a study. But it’s a battle, it’s war, people die and there’s lots of blood. It is far from relaxing or inspirational.
If you’re looking at this scene when you work you may find yourself battling with suppliers or fighting to get your customers to pay you. And if you’ve got it hanging in the bedroom well, I think you can work that one out.
Is life a little choppy at the moment?
Here’s a classic example of the type of picture you find on many board room or senior managers’ walls. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I’m dealing with any organisation I’d be concerned if I thought they were going through rough times like the boat is in this picture.
Do you really want a relationship?
This is typical of an arty, atmospheric image. You would be amazed by people who are looking for a relationship, or can’t seem to make relationships last that have this type of imagery in their lives. On the one hand they say they want to find somebody and settle down but their walls say ‘I want to be alone.’
Relax and take it easy
Even abstracts have similar effects. The fluid shape and blue tones here represent water. Water is very Yin and is about stillness, quiet and the feminine. So it will work well in areas where relaxation takes place.
Don’t even try to relax
However, this one is the complete opposite. The red makes it very Yang which is fiery, active and stimulating. Also the rectangular shapes represent a rising energy so put this in a place of relaxation and it will have the opposite effect.
Are you starting to look at your walls differently now? Any imagery you use should reflect what you want, what you aspire to. A typical Feng Shui type picture would be a mountain because it represents stability, security and support. However, there’s a big difference between the foothills and the top of the mountain. So, if your mountain picture is in front of you, make sure it’s showing the view from the top, unless you really want to stay stuck kicking your heels at the bottom.
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific business or home environment.
If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk
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Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer based in beautiful Wiltshire in the UK.
A picture of tranquility and serenity- Chinese Garden
The Chinese Garden is better known to Singaporeans as the Jurong Gardens, being based in Jurong East near the MRT Station and adjacent to the Japanese Garden. The garden which is based on Chinese gardening concepts was designed by a Taiwanese architect named Professor Yuen-Chen Yu in 1975. The main characteristic of this style is the seamless melding of outstanding architectural features with natural environs, as seen in Chinese imperial gardens.
The entrance to this area is guarded by marble stone lions, the traditional Chinese animal signifying sovereignty. The White Rainbow Bridge is found almost immediately upon entrance; bridges are significant aspects of any Chinese garden and this one is built in the fashion of a miniature 17-Arch Bridge of Peking’s Summer Palace. A seven storey pagoda perched upon a small hill rises gracefully beyond the bridge. The magnificent Main Arch building which the bridge leads into, houses two courtyards: the “Early Spring Courtyard” and “Garden Courtyard” as well as a fishpond all of which make for very scenic backdrops for shutterbug tourists to pose against.
The Stone Boat, which is an architectural achievement of Chinese culture lauded by art-lovers the world over, and the Tea House are two other notable features of the garden. Both these are built along the lines of the ones at the Peking Summer Palace; it may be argued that the Stone Boat even surpasses the one in Peking.
Last but not least, we come to the main architectural highlight of the garden, which is also the signature markers of a Chinese style leisure park – the pavilion, plateau and tower. These are integral to the Feng Shui of the area; there are strict rules governing the balance of their relative heights and sizes and special care is given to the quaint footpaths, streams and plant life which lie between this constructional trifecta. The sights of the garden do not end with its architectural features, however; the main landscaping highlight is the beautiful Bonsai Garden housing over 2000 bonsais imported from China. A Bonsai Training Centre has been launched to enthuse fledgling Bonsai students and the garden is gaining a reputation as being one of the largest of its kind outside of China. The Garden of Abundance, which boasts pomegranate trees interspersed with zodiac sculptures and symbols of longevity and abundance, is one of the newer additions to the Chinese Garden, while the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum is an unexpected glimpse into rare species of fauna sure to enhance the pleasure of an evening’s exploration of this venue. The entire ensemble of art, flora and fauna is completed with a seafood restaurant that assures the visitor that not even the best of China can make the discerning Singaporean forget about the finer things in life!
All this and more can be experienced by a visitor careful to pick the right Singapore hotel in which to base themselves. Raffles Hotel, Singapore is a five star hotel in Singapore which is also one of the city-state’s most elegant and recognized landmarks; any guest fortunate enough to find lodging there would be assured a complete experience of Singapore’s best and finest sights and attractions.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.