Welcome back to our special posts dedicated to Feng Shui Kitchens. We have been talking and discussing the mysteries of this ancient art and how to apply it to our environment, homes and more precisely, our kitchens. We don’t pretend for you to become a master in the practice of Feng Shui. But this Asian science can provide us some practical tips and techniques in our kitchen design or remodeling project.
In one of our previous posts, we presented a brief explanation about what Feng Shui stands for. We talked about where NOT to place your kitchen. So now, get ready to learn which is the best location, based on the Kua Number of the main cook or breadwinner.
Kua Number
A Kua Number is calculated by the year of birth and gender. It used to determine your four ‘lucky corners’ (your auspicious and inauspicious areas.) If we all have different energy needs, Feng Shui planning teaches us to channel those energies in effective ways to get rid of negative vibes and increase the positive. According to Flying Stars -one of the most popular Feng Shui schools- the energy of most people can be divided into two groups: East and West. A person’s Kua Number can determine which group a particular individual is in. East and West grouping is also used to indicate your best element, best season, best color and even your personality. In this ancient philosophy, it is vital where to position yourself while working, sleeping and cooking -based on your particular Kua Number
Finding Out Your Kua Number
To calculate your Kua Number, simply follow this formula:
- Take the last two numbers of the year you were born and add them together. Reduce them down to a single digit. For example, if you were born in 1957 then you take the 57; 5+7=12; 1+2=3.
Then depending on your gender, follow the next instruction:
- MALE – take the single digit and subtract it from 10. Example: 1957 single number of 3; 10-3=7. The Kua Number is 7.
- FEMALE – take the single digit and add 5. Using the 1957 single number of 3; 3+5=8. The Kua Number is 8.
Once you have your Kua Number you can determine your group and the directions you should face. There are specific auspicious and inauspicious directions for each group.
- The East Group Kua numbers are 1, 3, 4, 9.
- The West Group Kua numbers are 2, 5, 6, 7, 8.
East Group
Kua Number Kitchen Location
1 Southwest
3 West
4 Northeast
9 Northwest
West Group
Kua Number Kitchen Location
2 North
5 (Female) Southeast
5 (Male) North
6 South
7 East
8 Southeast
Kitchen Design Based on Kua Numbers
The tricky part: if your family’s biggest income producer is part of the East Group, your kitchen should be located in the opposite group’s direction of that Kua Number. That’s because these directions are considered inauspicious and the kitchen will serve to neutralize energies. You should place your kitchen facing towards any of the West Group directions and vice versa.
Now that we have determined your Kua Number and Group, you can decide on the location and orientation of your kitchen. Next, we start thinking about the interior design of your kitchen.