Practical tips for the use of feng shui bagua mirrors
The bagua mirror is one of the most popular classical, or traditional feng shui cures. It is also one of the most misunderstood and misused feng shui cures. Combining two very powerful forces — the feng shui power of a mirror with the unquestionable power of the bagua — this feng shui cure should be used mindfully and with a clear and proper intent. More often than not, the bagua mirror is used as an ultimate feng shui “show off” protection cure, especially with people who are just starting with feng shui. I have seen many bagua mirrors in clients’ homes that were doing more harm than good.
If you are new to feng shui, it is very important to understand that applying a feng shui cure without knowing its actual power and purpose is often worse than not using a cure at all. Let’s look into the world of the bagua mirrors, both concave and convex, explore their ancient magic and modern use.
What is a feng shui bagua mirror?
The bagua mirror is an ancient feng shui cure that consists of a round mirror framed in the octagonal shape of the bagua. Each side of the octagonal frame has three lines, called trigrams, that represent a specific energy. You might recognize these are the trigrams from the ancient classic of I-Ching, or the Book of Changes. The bagua presence surrounding the mirror creates a strong energetic field that helps amplify the specific power of either the concave or the convex mirror, and then the mirror, in turn, multiplies and keeps active the powerful energy of the bagua.
The mirror can be a concave or a convex mirror, and sometimes a simple mirror is being used. The frame comes in many materials, from wood to metal to plastic. It also comes in several color combinations, the most popular ones being red, yellow & green or yellow, black & red color combos.
There are two types of bagua mirror designs: the Early Heaven Bagua and the Later Heaven Bagua. The Early Heaven Bagua, also called the Primordial Bagua, is recognized by the three unbroken lines on top of the frame. These lines make the trigram called Chi’en in the I Ching, they carry a yang polarity of energy. This is the bagua mirror that you most often see placed above the front door of the house or above a big window with the purpose of protection; it is always placed with the Heaven trigram on top.
The Later Heaven Bagua mirror has the so-called Li trigram on top (one interrupted, yin line, between two uninterrupted, yang lines). This is the trigram that symbolizes Fire and belongs to the Fame & Illumination bagua area. It is the one you always see on top of a detailed feng shui bagua map that is used to define the energy in any given space. This is not the bagua mirror design that you would traditionally use for protection. You can often see bagua mirrors with deeper layers of information than just the trigrams, but for the purpose of using the bagua mirror for protection, always look to see which trigram is on top, Heaven or Fire.
How do I use the feng shui bagua mirror?
Traditionally, the feng shui bagua mirror has always been used to protect the place from a negative, attacking quality of energy called Sha Chi. The specific energy of protection is created by the choice of the bagua mirror – concave or convex – as they deal with negative energy in different ways.
There are two uses of the bagua mirror, the most powerful one being for protection. Another use of the feng shui bagua mirror is for overall activation of energy. In both cases, you have to keep an eye on your mirror, and either replace it or change its location. The first step in choosing a bagua mirror for protection is to be sure to always choose the Earlier Heaven Bagua design on your mirror. As mentioned, this is the design with the three unbroken lines on top, called the Chi’en trigram, symbolizing the energy of Heaven in the I Ching. The second step is to define the type, or the strength of protection that is needed in your specific situation, for your specific home.
Which bagua mirror to choose: concave or convex?
A concave mirror (the one that “caves in”) will neutralize or even eliminate the negative energy by sucking it in. This is a choice that is most often preferred because it does not create more negativity by bouncing it back and forth. It is a choice that will need to be replaced more often, as it might loose its power, in time, if not taken care of properly.
The convex mirror is the one that curves out, like a dome. It is a more aggressive way of dealing with negative energy because it pushes it back where it came from. The concern with using a convex bagua mirror is that it can create a strong cycle of negativity, especially if the source of negative energy that you want protection from, is using a similar cure.
It is always best when the use of bagua mirror is suggested by a professional feng shui consultant, they will have a deeper insight into the specific quality of energetic protection that your house needs. More often than not, you can use modern decor cures with similar power to a bagua mirror, cures that are more subtle on a visual level and will work better with your overall house look and design. However, if you feel you need a bagua mirror, here are two questions to ask yourself before choosing a specific mirror type:
- How strong is the negative energy directed at your house?
- Is it intentional?
For example, let’s say you are living in a T-junction house, which means there is a constant flow of harsh energy pointing at your house. Obviously, none of the cars using the road are doing it to you intentionally, and the negative quality of energy is created by the situation itself. You can definitely use the convex mirror to push the energy back, you will have to place it strategically, in the most active spot that gets the constant “bombardment” of energy. Or, you can just place it above the front door or big window that is facing the road. Using a concave mirror in this case will not be wise, as it will quickly absorb strong negative energy and will need to be replaced often.
Now let’s say you have an attacking, Sha Chi quality of energy, pointing at your house that is created by a sharp angle in the design of your neighbours’s house. And let’s say that for some reason, they either use a convex bagua mirror, or a cure/design element with a similar, pushing type quality of energy aiming at your house. In this case, if you choose to protect your home with a convex mirror, you will be creating an active field of negative energy that gets amplified instead of getting neutralized. Your best choice will be a concave mirror that you will have to keep an eye on, as well as strengthen the house with additional protective energy. When in doubt, always start with a concave mirror, unless you know for sure that a convex one is needed.
Typical cases when a bagua mirror can help
You can use a bagua mirror when your house is facing:
- A T-junction
- A very busy business or residence
- A place with potentially challenging energy such as a cemetery
- A piece of abandoned land
- A house with aggressive design features pointing at your front door
- A house with negative energy (constant arguments, fights, violence)
- A construction site
How to place the bagua mirror
Typically, the bagua mirror is placed above the front door or a big window. It is always placed on the outside, or, if you place it on the inside (as in case of a window, for example) you will position it to face the source of negative energy. As this is a cure that usually does a lot of work, you might need to replace it often, or at least clean it well.
My best advice is to use the feng shui bagua mirror wisely and to always first look for alternative solutions. There are many subtle and similarly powerful solutions by using modern home decor (or landscape/garden features) that will create a strong protective energy for your home. It might be wise to first look into solutions that are not as visually striking and exotic as a bagua mirror, so as not to attract unnecessary attention. Too much attention drains the energy of any cure, especially when it is not placed correctly.
