Explore the feng shui myth of house numbers, understand what is true and what is false.
Among the many misconceptions about feng shui, the notion of good and bad feng shui numbers is one of the most persistent. And then there is the ugly one, the much feared and avoided number 4 myth; most feng shui enthusiasts are convinced this number is a really, really bad number. Let us start with a very practical, clear and common sense approach (which is actually the only approach that leads to lasting and life-changing results when working with this ancient body of knowledge).
How can a number be bad feng shui? Did one ever get sick from a number or experience serious calamities because of a number? Apart from our mind creating stories (which often have nothing to do with the actual energy of what is happening), numbers, just like anything else, crystals, colors, statues, plants, carry a specific quality of energy, a specific vibration. This energy has clear characteristics, it has a language of its own, so by approaching the feng shui of house numbers with a curious, and not fearful mind, you will be amazed at how much info is revealed to you with something as simple as numbers. Of course, simple is a relative term, as there is a whole fascinating field of numerology that takes the study of numbers to deep and quite powerful levels.
Each number has an obvious meaning, such as 2 for togetherness, for example. Each number also has a more hidden meaning, a specific energy it evokes by itself, or in combination with other numbers. What does this mean to you and how can you practically apply this info in your life? Let’s start with the infamous feng shui of number 4.
Number 4.
Number 4 is a sacred number. Well, everything is sacred, but for the sake of resurrecting the really bad feng shui reputation of this number, I’ll call it sacred. We have 4 corners of the earth/4 main directions. We have 4 seasons. A structure is not rooted long term unless it has at least 4 points of touch with the ground. Why does this number, though, have such a bad feng shui reputation? It’s simple. In Cantonese, the pronunciation for number 4 is the same as the pronunciation for death. Not very pleasant energy to repeat many times daily. Unless you speak Cantonese, though, the bad feng shui of number 4 is just not true or valid in any way. Do you see?
Of course, if you are a realtor or are selling a house with number 4 in its address and many of your potential buyers are of Chinese origin, you will be sensitive to this culturally specific meaning and do your best to address it. How is this done? Some people go to the extent of changing their address to eliminate number 4, and some real estate developers avoid numbers 4 and 13 in the elevators of their high rise buildings. A typical feng shui cure to deal with the number 4 in a house address is to enclose the number in a red color circle (be sure this looks visually appropriate for your house and considers the context of your neighbourhood). Any feng shui cure has to be done in a subtle way, otherwise, you risk achieving the opposite results.
Now, the actual energy of number 4, being very grounding, is the energy that will bring you many lessons on exactly that — how to become more grounded and develop strong roots. I have good experience with several number 4s in my house address and I know these were the main lessons that the house taught me — how to slow down and get really, really grounded and centered. As a result of this energy and lessons I have developed a successful business, so number 4 has sure brought me many blessings. When you see the number 4 by itself or in combination with other numbers (especially at the end of a number, such as 504, for example), know that the main energy this number will bring you is a very grounding energy. It might feel constricting and restricting at times for sure, but the results will be worth it. In this specific case, number 504 comes to the ultimate number, which is 9 (5+0+4=9), considered the highest energy number.
Now that the bad feng shui reputation of number 4 is resurrected, let’s briefly go number by number.
Number 1
The energy of new beginnings, freshness, an open and unobstructed flow.
Number 2
Partnership, balance, cooperation, beginning of stability.
Number 3
Family, creative self-expression, rapid expansion.
Number 4
Read the beginning of this article.
Number 5
Radical transformation, change, adventure.
Number 6
Patience, care, practicality.
Number 7
Self-contemplation, personal growth, sometimes solitude.
Number 8
Infinitely abundant energy, a never-ending flow, many blessings.
Number 9
Achieving the highest accomplishment, contentment in success, gratitude.
Number 0
Void, nothingness, the beginning and the ending of all things.
All other numbers — starting with 9 — are a combination of these main numbers. To connect to the energy of a specific number, let’s say a potential house number, look at the meaning of each number separately, their order (the first, the middle and the last number), as well as the overall characteristics of the main number (defined by adding all numbers). Let’s take the example of a house with the number 205 in its street address. This house will have an overall potentially strong energy of personal growth (2+0+5=7), defined by such energies as partnership, the beginning of stability, delving into the void, transformation, and adventure.
When you have multiples of the same number — 222, for example — the energy of this number is multiplied/is very strong. In numerology, these numbers are called master numbers. Of course, as with everything energy-related, subtle and esoteric, it is good to be mindful and not always take things literally. Explore whatever information is presented to you and then check with your inner knowing to filter what is true for you and what is not. We are all different, going through different stages and different lessons, so it is important to sense what has meaning and power for you.
And here is some curious food for thought: Number 0 is the energy of void, nothingness, abyss, etc. However, when this number of void and nothingness accompanies any other number — gracefully placing itself after the number — it multiplies it many times! The difference between 1 and 1,000 is just a difference in the number of 0s (which is the energy of nothing). How can the energy of nothingness and abyss make such a difference? This is one of those questions that will always intrigue us. It maybe because it is in the void and nothingness, in the mystery of it all, that power resides.
My suggestion is to be smart when it comes to the energy of numbers; do your best to understand their messages, but do not give your power away. To numbers, to feng shui, or to anything else, for that matter.
Image via casadevalentina/pinterest
