Feng Shui Symbology - Entrances

This is a subject close to my heart. I find that the representation of our life is reflected in the presentation of the entrance to our homes. When I have been 'very busy' my front door area can appear a little unattended...still loved (statue, potted plants, doormat etc) but lacking that 'shiny' quality that goes with a space receiving great energetic maintenance.

happy plants, easy to navigate path and a door that looks inviting...

Feng Shui uses the term 'Ming Tang' to describe the area inside and outside the entrance to a building. Its also called 'The Mouth of Chi', but this is often represented as just the entrance door. This very important area is the symbolic invitation to 'the world' from the occupants, and sets up a Resonance Effect that will ripple through the experiences of the occupants, their guests and the building itself.

The possible Symbology of an Unhelpful Ming Tang...

•  Bins at a front door (or rubbish, cartons etc) imbue the area with low level energy from decay and bad smells. This can indicate people who do not care about themselves very well, or who do not care for visitors. It may indicate people who are extremely 'absent minded'.

• A door without a doormat infers that the occupants have set no boundary...and may take on other people's problems to avoid their own. It displays a 'lack of self-worth', and is reflected in a lack of caring for their living space. They may also be the kind of person who is extremely easy going to the point of exasperating others! :)

• A door that is tired looking, paint peeling, dirty/dusty, with a rickety handle implies the occupants do not care about possessions, and do not care about boundaries. They may be a person who allows others to 'walk all over' them.

• A doorway with lots of cleaning apparatus around (buckets, mops, brooms, dustpan and brush etc) implies the people who live there are very busy and unorganised. They likely have too much work coming in to the house and do cleaning in a rapid or haphazard way, leaving the tools lying around. It shows an overwhelmed Mind and probably tired bodies too. It is indicative of people who have a skewed perception of what abundance really is, and work hard for financial gain at the expense of their health and relationship happiness.

• Covered windows on either side of the welcome and an overt amount of security (when other neighbours do not have similar) infer the occupants are afraid of the outside world and may have severe fear issues. They are more than likely distrustful of others due to unhappy experiences, or because they are not trustworthy. It can also indicate people who are extremely 'possession oriented', and believe that their 'things' are so valuable that everyone will be out to 'get them'.

• Piles of shoes at the front door imply that the occupants have a skewed view of 'cleanliness' or may be obsessively clinical in the appearance of the interior of their house. (however, piles of shoes outside a temple or similar, is tradition...) A basket, rack or tub for 'outdoor' shoes is perfectly acceptable, and shows an organised approach to housekeeping and keeping order in general.

overflow, but not abundance overflow,... this is overflow undirected....

• Leaking drainpipes or gutters at the entrance door indicate there may be financial issues with money flowing out as fast as it flows in...an accumulation is almost impossible and the occupants can end up suffering from 'I hate my house' syndrome...which leads to low level energy in them and the house!

• Stagnant water, cracked pots, dead or dying plants and general debris littering the area indicate a source of Sha (low level, rushing or unbeneficial energy) and sometimes Si (very low level, detrimental energy) Chi, and needs to be rectified quickly to avoid potential misfortunes. People with houses like this are usually 'over-run by life', are exhausted, oppressed and in need of support and assistance. They are also more than often feeling aggressive towards the world because the energy of their front door is so bad it becomes a source of constant irritation. This manifests a house which may have many arguments and gossip.

What should you do if your front door area doesn't represent a great invitation to The Universe? Easy. Fix it up! Many aspects of Feng Shui are not about having something 'new' or spending loads of money on decorator items etc, its about regular maintenance and a general Love imbued into the space by occupants. If somewhere is old and shabby it may still have beautiful Feng Shui because it has been lovingly maintained by the owners or occupants...

Quick Tips for a Great Invitation!
1. Doormat....make it big and clean and durable. Pay a little more than you might normally, and get a good quality mat. Clean it regularly (each week is good) by giving it a good 'thwacking' against a wall or downpipe :) (your weekly stress release...)

2. Sweep up the area and the pathway if you have one. Clear away dead or dying plants, any clutter and organise your 'outdoor' shoe rack/tub/basket.

Yes, this is extremely 'swish' isn't it? but it gives you a goal, ... or just an idea ;]

    (photo by 'ohdeedoh')

3. Prune overhanging branches or vines that may 'grab' at you or your guests, so you can enter the house with ease. Arrange pots so that a straight pathway is slowed down to create a meandering pathway to the door. Make sure lights are working so you and night time visitors are able to find their way safely. (movement sensor lights are energy efficient and practical if appropriately placed)

4. Establish potplants that are easy to care for, and are appropriate for growing in pots in the kind of area your front door is (ie: shady or sunny, etc) Take care of them well and make them a source of Sheng (high level) Chi for you each time you come home :)

5. Put a bright brassy doorbell or door hammer at the front door so that guests will be heard. This also stimulates the Chi at your front door favourably. A statue of an angel, fairy or buddha etc...is also helpful to establish a certain kind of energy layer on this area of the property. You could have the statue on the front windowsill inside to connect the great energy outside with the inside entrance area...

6. Light some incense inside or out (or both) each day (or when you have a moment) and impress upon this area your purpose to invite only the best quality experiences into your Life via your home.

'mr froggy' at my parents' place, a happy little representation of a garden guardian

High quality energy at your front door rewards you with a calm and beautiful space to come home to each day, or greet your guests with, and helps to imbue a sense of Harmony into a house. Negavtive Qi at your front door is a sure fire way of bringing misfortune to your Life Experience. Because it is so easy to fix up, everyone should have a go at experimenting with enhancing and improving the energy of the entrance to their property, and enjoy the benefits of great quality Chi flowing into their building and their lives.