The kitchen is not just a place to prepare and store food for the family, but a vital space where the nourishment of the family takes place, symbolizing the care and love that goes into every meal.
Feng shui, a practice that draws a parallel between the kitchen, a wealth vault, and the women of the home, is deeply rooted in tradition. This connection is established because food, a commodity converted from money, was traditionally managed by women, the homemakers of the household.
Wealth is the central concept around which the kitchen revolves. Traditionally, firewood “柴” (chai) was used to create fire. Its pronunciation is similar to “财” (cai), which means wealth. For this reason, the stove represents the wealth position, and fire symbolises the continuation of life and its descendants.
As the kitchen is a space that utilizes both water and fire, it is crucial to keep it well-lit, dry, and clean. Good air circulation is also essential. These factors collectively attract the god of wealth and help maintain a positive energy flow within the household.
While the kitchen’s primary role is to provide three meals a day for the family, it also serves as a space that directly affects all women within the household, not just the homemaker. This understanding is a key aspect of modern feng shui.
How well the kitchen is maintained is directly correlated to the health of the female owner within the household. The hygiene of the kitchen also affects the family’s health; as the saying goes: “健康是财富” (jian kang shi cai fu), which translates as “Our health is our best asset”. This underscores the importance of a clean and healthy kitchen for the overall well-being of the family.
When planning the kitchen's layout, consider adopting the principle of adequacy. This means that if the space is small, try installing an appropriately sized sink or using a single stove instead of one with more burners. This leaves plenty of room for food preparation and other kitchen duties.
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