House of the Dragon

Homeowners, too, can benefit from the promise and optimism of the Year of the Dragon. To find out how to create a calmer, happier dwelling and make use of the positive energies and power that the Wood Dragon symbolises, we spoke to geomancer Clement Lim from Kang Li Feng Shui.

Clement works with, and was trained by, his father, Master Lim (above, right). The older Lim established his feng shui consultancy in 1989 and took his son under his wing when the latter began showing an interest in feng shui while in secondary school.

Since then, the pair has worked closely together, using the art of feng shui to help their residential and commercial clients create inviting, harmonious and prosperous spaces, and to guide individuals to be more balanced and successful in their personal lives.

Clement describes what makes the Year of the Dragon so special and shares his expert advice for bringing the power, strength and luck of the mythical creature into your home.

Is there anything homeowners should avoid doing to their home in the Year of the Dragon?

In feng shui, certain stars and energies are considered particularly influential and potentially impactful during specific years. For example, Tai Sui, also known as the Grand Duke Jupiter, sits in the South East direction. It’s considered inauspicious to directly confront or disturb the Tai Sui direction. In 2024, homeowners might want to avoid major renovations, loud activities, or disruptive construction in this sector to prevent potential negative effects.

Sui Po, or the Year Breaker, is another energy to be mindful of in feng shui. It’s advisable not to disturb the Sui Po direction as it could bring about potential disruptions if disturbed, so homeowners may want to avoid renovations, digging or significant changes in this area.

The Five Yellow Star
(Wu Huang) is an annual affliction in feng shui associated with misfortune and obstacles. So it’s recommended to suppress or counteract the negative effects of this star. In 2024, if the Five Yellow Star sits in the West sector, it is advised to use remedies like metal elements (such as five element pagoda and he tu plate) to mitigate its negative influence

Sickness Star, or Illness Star, is another annual affliction that, as the name implies, can bring healthrelated challenges and health impacting energy. Homeowners may want to pay attention to the South East sector in 2024 and consider remedies such as placing a medicine gourd in this area, and keeping the area well-lit and wellventilated to promote better health and wellbeing (medicine gourds are believed to help remove the energy that brings about illness and bad luck).

It's a good idea to consult a feng shui expert to work out where the various sectors and directions are in your home.

What auspicious colours or elements can homeowners introduce into their homes?

Feng shui is a highly personalised practice, which is why it’s important to consider the occupants’ birth dates before giving any recommendations. An analysis of the Flying Stars, which looks at the positive and negative auras of a building, adds another layer of specificity to feng shui recommendations.

In order to create a balanced or auspicious living or work environment, I advise homeowners to consult a feng shui expert, who will look at both personal birth data and the Flying Stars analysis before offering more targeted and effective recommendations.

The dragon in Chinese culture is a symbol of power and strong energy. How can homeowners help to balance the energy in their homes during the Year of the Dragon, to keep their home calm, harmonious and stress-free?

Getting rid of clutter and organising one’s home are fundamental feng shui practices, so you may want to start there. A tidy and uncluttered home promotes the free flow of Chi and prevents stagnant or chaotic energy from accumulating. A tidy space also fosters a clearer mind and reduces stress for the occupants