Feng shui for your desk and shop counter: where to put a guardian
You spend more waking hours at a desk or behind a counter than almost anywhere else. Traditional feng shui has a few simple, practical rules for these spaces. None of them require a renovation.
The command position
Sit where you can see the door without being directly in line with it, ideally with a solid wall behind you. Feng shui calls this the command position. If your desk faces a wall, a small mirror or a guardian facing the door helps you “see” who comes in.
Dragon on the left, tiger on the right
A classic rule says the left side of the desk (as you sit) is the green dragon and should be a little higher, and the right side is the white tiger and should stay lower and calmer. In practice: taller objects such as a lamp, books or a guardian figure on the left; flat items on the right.
Where a guardian goes on a desk
- At the front or left corner of the desk, facing the room's entrance.
- Out of your elbow's way, and never facing you directly.
- Cangyan, the quiet horned guardian, is the traditional choice for a study or a home office.
Shop counters and reception desks
- Keep the entrance clear and well lit so customers can find their way in.
- Place a guardian beside the till, facing the street door. Jinxi, with an ingot in its mouth, is associated with keeping takings in.
- For a lobby, showroom or front desk, Nachuan, holding a carp, is associated with good things flowing in.
Small habits that help
Clear the desk at the end of each day, keep a living plant nearby, and soften sharp corners that point at your seat. These are the oldest feng shui tips, and also simply good working habits.
Guardians in this guide
Questions
Should the guardian face me or the door?
The door. A guardian watches what comes in; it should not stare at the person working.
My desk faces a wall. What can I do?
Place a small guardian or a mirror so you have a sense of the doorway behind you.
Which guardian for a shop?
Jinxi by the till for takings, or Nachuan at the front desk for customers and opportunities.
Does this guarantee more sales?
No. These are traditional customs and symbols. Many shop owners keep a guardian as a reminder and a talking point.