Written for Wedding Digest magazine.
Wedding Day Feng Shui
February 2008
Walking down the aisle is the door to another vocation. It’s a celebration that must be immortalized by starting the beginning of forever with the right ingredients.
Which direction should the bride walk? What would be the color of the flower girls and bridesmaids dresses? What would be the auspicious time and date for a wedding? To make sure that everything will guide the couple into achieving lifetime happiness, Lets apply Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese tradition of organizing important occasions to attain positive vibrations.
According to 4 year Feng Shui expert Benito Borras, 2008 is tagged, as the Flower of Romance. It will be a good time for saying I do especially for lovers born under the sign of Pig, Rabbit and Goat whose romantic escapades would be very lucky this year.
To those who wishes to tie the knot on this year of the earth rat, here are some helpful tips from our Chinese friends on how to attract eternal happiness for a marriage:
Color Motif for 2008
Colors excite the celebration. But in Feng Shui, the right hue and blend may result to years of luck. For 2008, two significant elemental signs can bolster some decisions for the year – Earth and Water. Each element has a corresponding color, Yellow for Earth and Blue for water. Color combinations of both elements also attract the forces of both earth and water. That means the contemporary color of the year is Brown or other pastel colors that can be derived from the union of the two elements.
Aside from the elemental colors prescribed for the year, the couple can also choose their lucky color. For example each Zodiac sign have five elements, Water, Earth, Wood, Fire and Metal. The elements are then symbolized by different colors like Blue for water; Yellow for earth; Green for Wood; Red, Pink, Orange and others of the same shade for Fire; then White or Gold for metal. (Consult Chinese astrological cycle for the elements of the year you were born)
The Path to Take
According to Feng Shui, year of the rat stipulates three directions that promote luck and harmony. While exchanging vows couples can choose to face North, East or Southeast or the location should at least be at these strategic directions.
After getting the positive aura from the right direction supplement it with proper lighting. A wedding well lighted means a bright future ahead for the couple. Be sure its natural light that lightens the path so choose windows that deliver ample sunrays. But if couples prefer a dim intimate ambiance they can choose candles and mirrors that lights up the space as an alternative.
Another option is to borrow something blue (blue is the Feng Shui color of peace and serenity) from a happy couple with a happy family. Through this the energy of the couple with a happy life will provide positive force to you on your wedding day.
Following the mass celebration or wedding reception, Feng Shui also have some send off ideas to complete the package. Couples can select through the following list to ensure a graceful wedding exit.
Bubbles – fill your surroundings with buoyant bubbles since water is a significant element for this year plus it’s pacifying characteristic makes it the perfect addition on your way to leave the ceremony.
Flower petals – shower of flower petals that signifies the fresh beginning of the couple together.
Grains – tossing grains and beans as a symbol of fertility and wish for children.
Spread some luck
From zodiacs to directions, lets introduce souvenirs that according to the Chinese beliefs bring luck for the couple. Start off with Mandarin Duck figurines, like Lovebirds when these warm-blooded animals fall in love it will be forever. If mandarin ducks are still single they can live alone but when the mating season started and the duck found its pair, they are bound to stay together until the rest of their lives. Try separating one from the other then the ducks truly die of loneliness and longing to their better half.
Another one is the Chinese character Swang Hei, which means double happiness this character, is formed like a couple. In ancient Chinese history, this Chinese character depicts the story of a couple that was separated out of need but was still united because of love.
Numbers
When it comes to counting guests, it is best to gather even number of attendees, because odd numbers don’t go well with a couple for it represents third party. So guests should be divisible by two if you don’t want intruders on your relationship.
Finally, August 08, 2008, which comes every thousand years, is indeed a lucky day for the Chinese and an auspicious date for couples to exchange their vows. Eight is really a fortunate number for Feng Shui for like a circle it depicts an endless journey bound from end to end.
