Broken or Cracked Mirrors
Mirrors are powerful tools in Feng Shui, reflecting energy and expanding spaces. However, a cracked or broken mirror can distort energy flow and invite negative vibes, leading to misfortune or emotional unrest. The shattered reflections are believed to fragment chi, causing disturbances in your energy flow. When you look at your reflection in a damaged mirror, the distorted image symbolically represents how you see yourself – fragmented and incomplete. Issues with mirrors usually indicate problems with the aspects of life that mirrors represent – self-image, self-esteem, vision, and wealth. When working with a clients, if I find any mirrors that break or distort the image in any way, I check to see if the client has problems with self-worth.
In Feng Shui, mirrors are considered powerful tools for reflecting and enhancing energy. However, a broken mirror is believed to distort or reflect negative and fragmented energy, which can disrupt the harmony in your home. The ancient belief that mirrors hold our souls makes this particularly unsettling. According to feng shui, broken mirrors distort our visions of ourselves, breaking up the flow of good energy in our homes and bringing us bad luck. Instead of keeping damaged mirrors as vintage decor, replace them immediately to restore positive energy flow in your living space.
Non-Functional or Stopped Clocks
Feng Shui discourages keeping unused or broken clocks in your home, especially if they have stopped working. In Feng Shui principles, a non-functional clock can symbolize time standing still, which may create a sense of stagnation or hindrance in one’s life. Repairing or replacing non-working clocks is recommended to ensure that time flows smoothly and positively within your living space. Think about it – when you glance at a clock that’s perpetually stuck at 3:47, it subconsciously reminds you that something in your environment isn’t working properly. This creates an underlying feeling of frustration and stagnation that affects your motivation and progress.
A broken old clock, in particular, can be a terrible omen. According to Feng shui, time-keeping devices should always be in functioning order, otherwise, you risk being caught in a rut and not moving forward in your life. A broken or stopped clock represents more than just an inconvenience – it embodies both internal and external clutter, disrupting the flow of energy within and around us. A faulty timepiece risks more than just arriving late; it jeopardizes the natural progression of our lives, potentially leading us to a state of stagnation and hindering our journey toward growth and progress.
Cacti and Thorny Plants
In Feng Shui, sharp objects can create a form of aggressive energy known as sha chi. So, if you’re a fan of these desert dwellers, better to keep them outdoors or in a space where you don’t spend too much time. The sharp thorns act like tiny arrows pointing in all directions, creating an unsettling energy that can promote arguments and tension among household members. The thorns of cacti are sharp and pointed, and according to Feng Shui, they release bad energy. The harmony and tranquility in the house may be disturbed by these spikes, which can cause stress and conflict.
While cacti are undeniably beautiful and require minimal care, their placement matters enormously in feng shui. Cacti have sharp thorns, which can create negative energy if placed incorrectly. Avoid positioning them near doors or windows where they may direct harmful energy into your home. Feng Shui emphasizes creating harmonious living spaces free from “sha qi,” which translates to “sharp energy.” In this sense, sharp objects, including pointed furniture corners and oddly shaped architecture, are seen as disruptive to the smooth flow of positive energy (chi) within a home. Instead of banishing them completely, consider relocating your beloved cacti to patios, balconies, or gardens where they can thrive without disrupting indoor harmony.
Dead or Dying Plants
Dried or dead plants represent lifelessness and signify a lack of vitality. They can create stagnant energy and block the positive flow of Qi in your home. It’s equally important to keep your indoor plants healthy, to promote a sense of growth and vitality. When you keep withering plants around, you’re essentially surrounding yourself with symbols of decay and decline. This sends a subconscious message to your brain that growth and prosperity aren’t welcome in your space.
Many believe keeping dried flowers and dead or dying plants at home is not a good Feng-Shui practice. They are a source of Yin Qi. That means they are related to death. Dead flowers do not have any life force and inhibit the flow of positive energy and vitality. The dried bouquet that’s been sitting on your mantelpiece for months might hold sentimental value, but it’s actively draining the vibrant energy from your living room. Withered flowers reflect a lack of life. Therefore, if a plant dries up either due to lack of care or disease, it’s important to remove it from your home.
Broken Dishes and Chipped Crockery
In the art of Feng Shui, where every object carries profound symbolism, dishes stand as emblems of wealth and health, representing abundance and nourishment within the home. Chipped plates or cracked bowls can usher negative energy. The cracks, small as they may be, serve as conduits for discord, inviting misfortune into our lives. Every time you use a chipped mug or cracked plate, you’re reminded of imperfection and damage, which subconsciously affects how you feel about yourself and your living situation.
Chipped, broken, or unused plates and cups drain your personal Qi, or energy, and obstruct the positive energy within your space. Clearing out broken items can help create a more harmonious environment. Think of your dishes as more than just functional items – they’re vessels that hold the nourishment that sustains your body and spirit. When these vessels are damaged, it symbolically represents damage to your wellbeing and prosperity. Having broken or chipped items in the home is believed to attract stagnant or negative energy. These items can symbolize decay, instability, or lack of care. It’s best to replace or repair them to restore a sense of harmony and positivity in your space.
Artificial or Fake Plants
I’m sorry to disappoint those who find taking care of plants a challenge (myself included), but fake plants can bring bad energy into your home. These items can contribute to stagnant energy, particularly when they’re left as decor and not well maintained (i.e. dusted and cleaned regularly). While artificial plants might seem like the perfect solution for those lacking a green thumb, they represent the absence of life force and growth energy that real plants naturally provide.
Artificial plants are also generally discouraged as they lack the vibrant life force or “chi.” Artificial plants are not considered auspicious in feng shui as they are not alive and do not absorb negative energy. When you surround yourself with fake greenery, you’re essentially filling your space with objects that mimic life but contribute nothing to the living energy of your environment. The dust that accumulates on plastic leaves becomes a symbol of neglect and stagnation, creating the opposite effect of what you’re trying to achieve with plants in the first place.
Sharp-Edged or Pointed Furniture
If the corners are very pronounced or sharp, they can have a negative effect on the energetic center of the space, since they cut the flow and stagnate it. In this case, the oriental philosophy recommends to use circular, oval furniture, or furniture with more organic details. On the other hand, it’s possible to place a tablecloth or mantel on square tables to cover the tips. Sharp corners act like cutting blades slicing through the gentle flow of chi energy that should move smoothly throughout your home.
Every time you navigate around a sharp coffee table corner or bump into a pointed dresser edge, you’re physically experiencing the aggressive energy that feng shui warns about. These encounters create micro-moments of stress and defensiveness that accumulate over time. Of course, scissors are an indispensable tool in the home. That’s why this oriental philosophy does not recommend eliminating them, but leaving them stored in a drawer and not in sight. In addition, to avoid their negative energetic effects, it’s suggested that they always remain closed. The same principle applies to furniture – soften those sharp edges with rounded tablecloths, corner guards, or simply choose curved alternatives when possible.
Cluttered Entryways
Clutter disrupts the flow of energy, especially in important areas like entryways. Feng Shui emphasizes the significance of a clear and unobstructed entrance to allow positive energy to enter freely. Piles of shoes or general disarray in these areas can create a sense of chaos and hinder the smooth transition of positive energy into your home. Keeping entryways organized and clutter-free is key to maintaining a harmonious flow of energy.
Your front entrance is essentially the mouth through which your home breathes in fresh energy and opportunities. When it’s blocked with shoes, coats, bags, and random household items, you’re essentially putting a cork in this vital energy channel. A lot of people are accustomed to keeping various things near the doors and windows. However, it is important to organize your home space in such a manner that you leave free space there. One such important place is the path to the front door, which is a direct connection of your apartment or house with the universe. Keep this area clear by removing clutter. Every morning when you leave through a chaotic entryway, you’re starting your day with visual stress, and every evening when you return to the same mess, you’re being welcomed home by disorder rather than peace.
Exposed Sharp Kitchen Knives
Sharp things disrupt the balance of energy that Feng Shui tries to create. While kitchen knives are obviously essential tools for food preparation, leaving them exposed on countertops or in open knife blocks creates an atmosphere of underlying tension and potential danger. The sharp blades pointing in various directions act as tiny energy disruptors, sending cutting chi throughout your kitchen space.
Think about how differently you feel in a kitchen where knives are neatly tucked away in drawers versus one where multiple blade edges are visible and pointing outward. From sharp knives on kitchen counters to framed pictures above your headboard, banish bad energy with these pro tips The exposed blades create a subconscious sense of alertness and caution that prevents the kitchen from feeling like the nurturing, nourishing heart of the home it should be. Instead, store knives in closed drawers or invest in a knife block with slots that fully enclose the blades, maintaining their functionality while eliminating the sharp energy they project into your space.
Old Electronics and Unused Gadgets
Holding onto old, unused gadgets can create physical and energetic clutter. Holding onto old, unused gadgets can create physical and energetic clutter. Broken items, like mirrors or appliances, symbolize neglected energy and can attract misfortune. Feng Shui encourages repairing or discarding these objects to prevent stagnant or negative energy from lingering. Maintaining items in good condition reflects care and invites positive, flowing energy into your home.
That drawer full of old phone chargers, defunct tablets, and broken headphones isn’t just taking up physical space – it’s creating energetic deadweight in your home. Every unused electronic device represents abandoned projects, outdated technology, and past versions of yourself that you’ve outgrown. If we continue to accumulate things that don’t have a purpose, or we don’t take care of our things, that energy reflects upon us as well. If you do notice that you have broken items in your home, I encourage you to repair them or let them go. These devices served their purpose in the past, but keeping them around creates a subtle message that you’re not ready to move forward and embrace new opportunities.
Dark or Depressing Artwork
Avoid bringing sad art into the house, like pictures of battles or storms, because they bring bad energy. For instance, a painting depicting a sinking ship should never be shown at home. A sinking boat symbolizes the deterioration of family bonds. The images you choose to display in your living space have a profound impact on your daily mood and mindset. Every time you walk past a painting of a shipwreck or a stormy landscape, you’re absorbing a small dose of that chaotic, troubled energy.
Art should inspire, uplift, and reflect the kind of life you want to create, not remind you of disasters, conflicts, or sadness. Furthermore, water-themed art should not be displayed above the bed since it creates the anxiety-inducing sensation of always trying to “get your nose above water” or feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Another important idea is to choose items that add to the general vitality of the place. Keep an eye out for anything that makes you feel good or cheers you up. When selecting artwork, ask yourself: “Does this image make me feel hopeful, peaceful, or energized?” If the answer is no, it doesn’t belong in your sanctuary.
Dusty or Neglected Items
Cleaning the home may seem like a burdensome task, but dust accumulates quickly on furniture and objects. This is an aspect that, according to feng shui, does not allow the passage of positive energy. Therefore, keeping the environment clean and dust-free is synonymous with health and vitality. Dust represents stagnation and neglect – when items in your home are consistently covered in dust, they become energy drains rather than energy enhancers.
That beautiful vase on your bookshelf loses its positive impact when it’s shrouded in a layer of dust that hasn’t been disturbed in months. The dust acts like a barrier, preventing the object from contributing its intended beauty and energy to your space. These items can contribute to stagnant energy, particularly when they’re left as decor and not well maintained (i.e. dusted and cleaned regularly). Regular cleaning isn’t just about hygiene – it’s an act of care and attention that keeps energy flowing freely throughout your home. When you neglect to dust and maintain your belongings, you’re essentially telling the universe that you don’t value what you have, which can block new opportunities and abundance from entering your life.
Items Associated with Negative Memories
Holding onto items associated with negative memories or unresolved emotions can keep you anchored to the past, preventing personal growth and inviting negative Qi into your space. It’s important to let go of unhappy mementos to create a fresh and positive energy flow. Every object in your home carries emotional resonance, and items connected to painful experiences continue to emit that emotional signature long after the original event has passed.
That gift from an ex-partner sitting on your dresser, the inherited furniture from a difficult family relationship, or souvenirs from a traumatic trip all serve as constant reminders of experiences you’d rather move beyond. If you love them and they serve a purpose in your life, make the effort to repair them. If you don’t love these items, I would suggest that you remove them from your home. Your home should be a refuge from past hurts, not a museum of painful memories. While it’s natural to feel sentimental about objects from your history, keeping items that consistently trigger negative emotions prevents you from fully embracing the present moment and creating space for new, positive experiences. Sometimes the most powerful act of self-care is letting go of beautiful things that carry ugly memories, making room for objects that support your current happiness and future dreams.
Your home is meant to be your sanctuary – a place where energy flows freely and supports your wellbeing, prosperity, and peace of mind. By identifying and addressing these thirteen common sources of negative energy, you’re taking a powerful step toward creating a space that truly nurtures your body, mind, and spirit. Remember, feng shui isn’t about rigid rules or superstition – it’s about being mindful of how your environment affects your daily experience and making conscious choices that support your highest good. Did you recognize any of these energy-draining items in your own space?