Time to get wet and wild! Every year in the middle of April Thailand erupts in a gigantic water fight. Nowhere is safe from the armies of marauding water gun revelers who take to the streets with wild and wooly abandon. Although Songkran, a three day period marking the Thai new year, is officially April 13, 14 and 15, there is hardly a spot to stay dry in the country from about the eleventh to the eighteenth. Chiang Mai, the ancient northern city known as the capital of the north, can’t be outdone for rambunctious water festivities. The town center which was originally the entire old city some hundreds of years ago, is surrounded on all four sides by a 30 foot wide moat, so there is never a shortage of water to be flung. Water balloons, super-soakers, buckets, hoses, nothing is off limits and no one, not businessmen, tourists, policeman, or little old ladies can expect to remain outdoors more than 30 seconds without being drenched from head to foot.

As you can imagine, making and transporting custom artwork under the circumstances can be a bit of a challenge, so we tried to avoid sending custom orders during the week of Songkran. Rest assured that all normal orders are shipped from our safe and dry stateside location and that special care is taken during this time to keep all custom art work made in Thailand in perfect shape.

The color of our homes plays an important role in our lives, perhaps more than we know. In feng shui - the ancient art of arranging colors, furniture and structures to best maximize energy and prosperity - it is believed that colors can strongly influence chi (or energy) for better or worse. The interplay of light with color has a lot to do with the way energy is either absorbed or reflected from it. In general, feng shui promulgates using certain colors in certain rooms. In this article, we will provide some basic tips you can use to maximize chi in your home through the use of color. If you follow the below tips, you should notice a difference in the quality of your energy, your mood, your household relations and maybe even your finances. It’s amazing what a few buckets of paint or some colorful decor can do!

• Use softer colors in bedrooms, such as beige, tan, cream, ivory, peach and light green. These help us rest easier.
• Avoid strong colors in the bedroom, such as orange and red.
• Earth colors are best for kitchens. These include brown, green, orange and yellow.
• Avoid using blue in your home. It is a water color and can make people feel cold and introspective. If you love blue and want it in your home, it is best left to a meditation room, and in dark shades such as indigo and violet at that.
• To make small rooms appear larger, use light and pastel colors. The opposite is true of the colors red, yellow and blue, which make rooms appear smaller.
• Use red to stimulate activity and provide energy. A room need not be painted entirely in red. The addition of red decor is sufficient enough.
• Lighter colors on your ceiling are better than darker colors. Chi circulates better when your ceilings are light in color.
• It is best to start designing a room one color at a time. Choose the dominant color first, usually the color that the walls and ceilings are painted. Next, the colors for the carpet and furnishings should be chosen. Finally, a third color in the way of decor can be selected that harmonizes or compliments the first two colors.
• Use orange colors to where people convene and talk. It is also a good choice for a study.
• Yellow is an uplifting color and good for studies or where a lot of creative activities take place. Use it sparingly though, as too much of it can cause over-stimulation.
• Green is a great color and can be used in any room where relaxation takes place. It is in the middle of the color spectrum and promotes healing, peaceful thoughts and tranquility. Green plants scattered throughout the home are a wonderful way to use green.
• Black is considered to be associated with money in feng shui but should be used sparingly, as it absorbs all other colors and does not strongly promote the flow of chi. Black can make a magnificent decorative statement when used in reason, especially in bathrooms, living rooms and hallways.
• Avoid too much of the same color. If your walls, ceiling and decor are all the same color the results will probably be bland and not stimulating.
• In rooms that need stimulation, instead of painting an entire room a yang color like red or orange, try using decorative items that have yang colors.
• Imaginative use of light in the way of natural light and lamps can manipulate and change the colors in any room. Try using soft and strong lighting in a room and notice the difference in color. Also try position lamps in different locations in the room.

Hopefully all, some or even one of these tips will prove to be helpful and effective for you. In summary, keep in mind that all colors are either yin (negative and passive) or yang (positive and active). We are happiest when we can achieve a balance between the two. Orange, yellow, red and black are yang colors. White, blue, green and beige are yin colors. Purple and indigo can be either yin or yang, depending on how much red or blue is in them. Have fun, experiment and see what works best for you.

Colors have a powerful effect on us, whether we are aware of it or not. The Chinese used colors to represent the different seasons and many cultures around the world equate a different meaning to each color. The principles of feng shui suggest that color and light should be used to provide the most favorable conditions for happiness and prosperity. When choosing a color for a room, it is best to view the color in the exact room it is intended for, as colors can change drastically with lighting conditions. And it’s not jus the walls that need attention–the color of your ceilings is important as well. Feng shui experts generally concur that light colors are better than dark colors for ceilings. This is because dark colors prevent chi (or energy) from rising and prevent it from circulating freely in your home. When chi does not circulate freely, your health, finances and relationships can suffer. Dark colors are also reminiscent of rain clouds, which can cause an unhappy mood.

For the bedroom, softer colors are best. The bedroom is an area of rest and relaxation. Choose colors such ivory, beige, cream, tan, peach, soft pink and even light green. For the kitchen, try colors that are a bit bolder, such as brown, yellow, green or orange. You may have noticed that blue was not mentioned. This is because blue is a water element color and tends to make people feel introspective. It therefore does not promote social harmony among the householders. If you really love blue, limit it to the bathroom, and try using lighter shades of blue rather than darker ones.

Whichever color you choose to paint your home, keep in mind the following three key elements. One, it is most beneficial to choose one dominant color in a room first. Two, the next color you choose for the room should be for the carpet and furnishings. Three, the third color selected should either bring together the first two colors in a complimentary way or create a contrast between them. By using these guidelines for color, you can maximize the chi in each room in your home and give yourself the best chance for achieving lasting happiness, peace, wealth and health.

The powerful effects of color have been known to man for eons. Colors have a chemical effect on our brain and alter our moods. They provide an emotional backdrop to every scene we see and that we are in. The strongest and boldest color in the spectrum is red. Red is not a common color in nature, but when it is present, it’s very noticeable. The Chinese have always thought of red as a color associated with prosperity, happiness and good fortune.

Red is also an exciting, inspirational and dynamic color. For this reason, red should mainly be used in rooms that involve activity, such as an office, recreation room or home gym. The color red attracts chi (energy) and is a good color choice to increase energy and passion. Red should never be the primary color of a bedroom or childrens’ room. However, red decor can be used in any room, although more sparingly in bedrooms. Feng shui experts agree that it’s not advisable to paint the walls in your home red or have red furnishings. Instead, try using accent pieces and decorative items with red. You should see and feel a positive difference soon after.

The dragon is a powerful symbol that can benefit you and your home in a number of ways according to feng shui. Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art/science of balancing and arranging the elements of yin and yang in a given space to foster success and happiness. The dragon is a yang or male energy that represents power, ambition and good fortune. The pearl that is often found in or near the dragon’s claw is a sign of wisdom and abundance. The color of the dragon is often important. Most Chinese dragons are either green or gold. A green dragon in your home is said to promote good health. A gold dragon in the home is often used to attract wealth and increase business.

Forms of dragons that can be used in your home are Chinese dragon statues, dragon scroll paintings, dragon wall fans or even lamps with dragon designs. The dragon carries with it a powerful energy, so be careful not to place it too close to your bed, where it may disturb your sleep. Also, allow the dragon to have some space and try not to clutter the area where it is displayed. This will allow it to best radiate and attract beneficial energy. You can use the dragon for any of the following intentions: to bless a new home, to increase health and wealth, as a means for protection or just to add a beautiful element of Asian decor to any room.

In the science of Chinese feng shui, the color black is a “yin” color and an “element of water.” It is viewed as a passive color with a feminine or soft energy. Although it can project a strong or heavy emotional feeling if used in excess, the color black is an essential element in adding stability to any decorative scheme. If used sparingly, black can compliment all the other colors in the spectrum and add an air of sophistication to a room, giving it definition and depth as well. Using black in a decorative setting will encourage communication, according to feng shui experts, and helps to make people more flexible in their thinking. Black decor is especially good to use in the living room, where communication is important. Try avoiding using too much black in the kitchen, children’s rooms and the main entry way of your home. Adding black decorative items in the north part of your home is said to attract career opportunities.

Unless one travels to the Orient or studies the culture, one may not be aware of all the unique and rich holidays that are part of its tradition. In this article, we are going to talk about a Japanese holiday called “setsubun.” Setsubun in Japan is celebrated the day before each new season, but is traditionally celebrated on February 3 for the spring season.

Each year, on February 3, the Japanese perform a special ritual called “mamemaki” to cleanse and drive away evil. Mamemaki typically involves throwing roasted soybeans (called “irimame”) out the door of a house. Sometimes the beans are thrown at a household member instead, who wears an “oni” (ogre or demon) mask that symbolizes evil. The soybeans are said to purify the spot or home where they are thrown. The person throwing the soybeans recites the words, “Demons go away! Luck come in!” After this is done, the Japanese typically sit down and eat the irimame - one bean for each year of their life plus one for the coming year. Households, temples and shrines across the land of Japan will perform this fascinating ritual on February 3.

Every January on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Chinese celebrate with a spectacular Lantern Festival (or Yuan Xiao Festival in Chinese). The 15th day of the month also marks the full moon. At that time, thousands of Chinese will head outside with brightly lit lanterns and display them proudly in honor of the festival. An atmosphere of joy usually permeates the celebrations as families reunite and lovers meet. The Chinese Lantern Festival has been a part of Chinese culture for the last 2,100 years and has an interesting legend behind its start. Most historians believe that the lantern ceremony is a tribute to the God of Heaven, called Taiyi. Many in ancient China believed Taiyi controlled the world and could inflict damage through famine, storms and drought. To appease Taiyi, an emperor named Qinshihuang initiated the Lantern Festival. Perhaps it worked, because year after year, the emperors supported the festival and deemed it one of the most significant celebrations of the year. Today, craftsmen from around China construct large, multicolored paper lanterns. These Chinese lanterns are made to resemble dragons, birds, butterflies and dragonflies to name some of the most common animals. Spherical lanterns, especially in red, can be seen everywhere and parks are lit up at night and resemble a vast ocean of bright lanterns. Young and old marvel at the spectacle, as tourists and curious spectators flock to the Chinese Lantern Festival, all to witness a truly amazing and unique display.

Lucky bamboo bonsai trees are extremely popular in the science of feng shui. It is believed that these bamboo bonsais bring luck and abundance to those who display them in their homes. Besides being a beautiful tree to look at, bamboo trees can teach us a significant lesson about life.

The Chinese were among the first people to carefully observe bamboo. They noticed several things about the tree that can impart wisdom. The first lesson is to be flexible like bamboo. It bends with the wind and does not snap. We too, should be flexible in life and adjust to difficult situations. The second lesson is that bamboo is hollow and allows air inside it. This translates into meaning that we too should be hollow, or open-minded, and allow ideas and energy to flow inside of us to renew and heal us. Having a bamboo bonsai tree as decor in our homes reminds us of this wisdom on a daily basis. An indoor bamboo plant is said to be ultra lucky when it embodies the five elements associated with feng shui. These elements are:

• Wood (the bamboo tree)
• Earth (rocks and soil that support the tree)
• Water (given to the bamboo tree)
• Fire (usually associated with a red or orange decoration on the tree)
• Metal (any lucky coins or metal figurines that are positioned with the tree)

The number of bamboo stalks is also significant. Two is for love, three is for happiness, five is for health, eight is for wealth and nine is considered an overall lucky number. Try placing a bamboo tree in your home and see if your luck doesn’t change.