The creation cycle comes alive with the circle of the Feng Shui teachings. The destructive cycle also exists but takes a different path. Just because the cycle is labeled "destructive" does not mean that it is evil and does not bring about good results. One must tear down the old strongholds and build anew once in awhile.

This is the Creative cycle of Feng Shui ~

East

In the East, blue and green are the colors, the element is Wood and the animal is the dragon. Wood is consumed by Fire, and is nourished by water (North). The shape associated here is tall and slender like that of a tree.

Southeast

In the Southeast, the element is Wood, and the colors here are typically blue and green.

South

South is the direction of the Sun, where the Phoenix rises from the flame, and Fire is the element. Fire consumes Wood and creates ashes with feed the Earth. Here the color is most appropriately red, but pink and purple are also strong colors for South. The shape for South is pointed, represented by a triangle sitting on its base pointing heavenward.

Center

Earth is the element of the center of the Feng Shui circle. Its colors are brown, yellow and orange, the colors of the earth. This is the center of Feng Shui life, the center of the home, the void in the middle of a room decorated in Feng Shui manner. Earth's shape is flat, like the long underscore beneath a word. Ashes from Fire feed Mother Earth, and she produces metal with which man produces many things.

Southwest

Fire is often the element here, associated with the colors red, pink and purple. When something is said to be 'so hot it is purple' means that purple is the hottest color in the Chinese spectrum. It is one of the colors of the fire. Sometimes Earth is associated with Southwest in the eight-sided Pa Qua wheel. In this case, the opposite side, Northeast, is also associated with Earth, and both have the Earth color associations as well.

West

West is the direction of the White Tiger. She is always opposite from the Blue Dragon of the East and they compliment each other. In Feng Shui, it is appropriate to have a setting around one's dwelling which resembles that of the East-West Dragon-Tiger shape. West is associated with Metal and a round shape. White is the color of West, sometimes alongside silver or gold. Metal from Earth is broken-down with Water and time, it becomes rust, yet Metal is also said to produce Water. Minerals help make our Water pure. So by producing Water, Metal is consumed.

Northwest

Metal and its associates reside here. White, grey, silver, and gold are all appropriate for colors.

North

In the North, Water is the element, Tortoise is the animal, and Black is the main color. The shape of North is irregular, like that of Water. Indigo, a very deep blue, is also appropriate here. The deeper the water, the darker it is, thus the association.

Also, deep water can have the appearance of glass along its surface, reflecting things above and making things below a mystery. Glass is a black surface to the artist even when it is clear. When you paint a sign facing the outside of a building on glass, it should have light colors near the edges to offset a darker text. Better yet, the text alone on the glass would show up best if it is white. The next time you pass a store with sign painted on a glass window at night, take notice whether the sign is visible or not. You will see that white will jump off the glass while black just blends into the background. Water consumes the Metal that produces it and feeds Wood.

Northeast

Wood is usually associated with Northeast, along with the colors blue and green. The only exception is when Earth is represented in the Southwestern portion, then Earth also is represented here. In that case, also, the colors are brown, orange, and yellow.

Place the elements equidistant in a circle in the same pattern as above:

• Water
• Wood
• Fire
• Earth
• Metal

Water puts out Fire, which melts Metal, which chops down Wood, which holds back Earth, which makes Water murky.

With lightning strikes bringing forest fires, we need the rain to control and help our firefighters put out Fire. Without Fire to melt down Metal, we could not create new things out of the Metal. Without Metal to chop down Wood, we could not build luxurious homes. With out trees (Wood) to hold back the land, we would have landslides around us. Without Earth to filter the Water down through its minerals, our Water could not be purified by nature.