Dear readers and connoisseurs of the ancient art of Feng Shui! I am pleased to welcome you to the pages of our portal. Water is not just an element; it is the lifeblood of space, the main activator of prosperity and the movement of Qi energy. However, it is not enough to simply buy a beautiful fountain or aquarium. A true Master knows: a talisman without activation is just an interior decoration. The correct activation of a water symbol is a delicate art that requires knowledge of the cycles of elements, the directions of Bagua, and the principles of Qi movement. This is exactly what we will discuss in detail today.
Water Talisman in Feng Shui: The Power of the Element and Harmony

In Feng Shui, water symbolizes money, opportunities, and flow. Its energy is dynamic, constantly renewing Yang, which, when properly directed, can bring abundance and career growth. To activate a water talisman means to integrate it into the overall energy system of your home or office, making it work for your goals. The main principle of activation is to create Sheng Qi (life-giving, auspicious energy) and avoid Sha Qi (destructive energy).
A water talisman should always be in motion and clean. Stagnant water or an incorrectly placed object will not only fail to activate the desired sector but can also attract financial problems and stagnation in affairs. Activation begins with intention and ends with daily care.
Qi Energy and Water: An Inseparable Connection for Prosperity

How does water activate Qi? Qi energy moves through space but is often “dormant.” Water, especially moving water (a fountain, a waterfall), is an ideal conductor and amplifier. It literally lifts Qi from its place and makes it circulate. This is the key to activation: the talisman must provide a constant, but not too turbulent, flow.
- Yang Activation: A moving fountain or filter in an aquarium creates active Yang energy, which is necessary for attracting money and opportunities.
- Yin-Yang Balance: Although water is Yin by nature, its movement (splashing, flowing) gives it Yang properties. Proper activation is achieving harmony between these two principles.
- Influence on Qi: Water activates the Bagua sector in which it is located and directs its energy throughout the entire house. If you are activating the Southeast (Wealth) sector, the water should gently but surely “flow” inward, symbolizing the inflow of resources, not their outflow.
Choosing a Water Talisman: Aquarium, Fountain, or Painting

The choice of water talisman type directly affects its activation method and the strength of its impact. Each has its own characteristics:
Fountain: Pure Activation of Movement
A fountain is the most powerful activator because it creates constant movement and sound. For activation, it is important:
- Flow: The water should flow upwards and fall gently, creating a pleasant sound. If the water splashes too hard or makes an irritating noise, it creates Sha Qi.
- Size: The fountain should be proportional to the room. Too large a fountain in a small room can “overflow” the sector, causing financial instability.
- Activation: The fountain is activated by plugging it in and filling it with clean, fresh water. Adding a few coins to the basin enhances monetary energy.
Aquarium: Activation with Living Energy
An aquarium combines the power of Water with living energy (fish, plants – Wood). This is a powerful complex activator. For its proper activation, the following are critically important:
- Number of Fish: Traditionally, a combination of 9 fish is used (8 gold or red and 1 black). The black fish acts as a “absorber” of negative energy.
- Cleanliness: The water must be perfectly clean. A dirty aquarium is instant deactivation and attracts Sha Qi.
- Placement: The aquarium should be slightly raised from the floor so that Qi can circulate freely around it.
Water Images: Symbolic Activation
Paintings depicting water (calm rivers, waterfalls, oceans) are suitable for areas where real water cannot be placed. Activation occurs through visual perception and intention:
- Content: The water should be clean and flowing. Avoid images of storms, shipwrecks, or stagnant swamps.
- Direction: The waterfall or river in the painting should “flow” into the room, not out of it.
- Frame: Use a blue, black, or white frame (Metal generates Water) to enhance the element.
Activating a Water Talisman in Bagua Sectors: Where to Place for Good Fortune

Placement is 80% of activation success. Water can bring either great wealth or ruin if placed incorrectly. We use the Bagua method to determine the most auspicious sectors.
1. Wealth Zone (Southeast)
This is the classic location for activating financial flow. The element of this sector is Wood, which is nourished by Water. Placing a fountain or aquarium here activates income growth and wealth accumulation.
- Activation Rules: Place the talisman in the far left corner from the entrance door (when looking at the house plan). Ensure the water is not directly under a beam or in a dusty corner.
2. Career Zone (North)
The element of the North is Water. Placing a water talisman here enhances your professional opportunities, aids in advancement, and helps in finding new paths of development. This is an ideal location for a fountain in an office or study.
- Activation Rules: Use talismans with strict shapes (round or wavy) that correspond to the Water element. Activation here should focus on stability and clarity.
3. Health Zone (East)
The East is also associated with the Wood element. Water here nourishes health, longevity, and family ties. A fountain or aquarium in the East promotes harmony and strengthens life Qi.
Critically Important Zones to Avoid (Deactivation)
To avoid negative activation, never place water talismans in the following zones:
- Fire Zone (South): Water extinguishes Fire, which will lead to conflicts, loss of reputation, and problems in social connections.
- Bedroom: Water in the bedroom creates overly active Yang energy, leading to restlessness, financial losses, and relationship problems.
- Kitchen: Conflict between Water and Fire (stove). This can cause financial problems and digestive health issues.
- Directly opposite the entrance door: Water “washes away” money from the house.
Symbols and Talismans that Enhance Water’s Action: Coins, Dragons, and Turtles

Activating a water talisman involves enhancing it with specialized symbols. These elements direct and concentrate the beneficial Qi generated by the water.
1. Chinese Coins (Wealth)
Traditionally, 3 or 8 Chinese coins tied with a red thread are used. Place them at the bottom of the fountain or aquarium (in a safe place). This creates a direct intention: the water activates monetary energy.
2. Three-Legged Toad (Chan Chu)
This symbol is an essential companion to a water talisman in the Wealth zone. The toad should sit next to the water or on a small elevation, with its back to the water and its face towards the room, symbolizing that it has just brought wealth from the water into the house. Important: the toad should not sit directly in the water.
3. Dragon (Yang Power)
The dragon is a powerful symbol of Yang, associated with prosperity and power. Placing a dragon figurine near a water talisman (especially in the East or Southeast) enhances the inflow of luck. The dragon should face the water as if guarding it.
4. Turtle (Protection and Stability)
The black turtle is a symbol of the North (Career), protection, and longevity. If your talisman activates the Career zone, placing a turtle nearby ensures stable and long-lasting success.
Colors and Materials for a Water Talisman: Harmony with the Element’s Energy

According to the Five Elements theory, to maximize the talisman’s activation, you need to use colors and materials that either correspond to the Water element or generate it.
Colors that Enhance Water (Activation)
- Black and Dark Blue: These are the colors of Water itself. Ideal for decorating the base, aquarium background, or fountain basin.
- White, Silver, Gold: These are the colors of the Metal element. Metal generates Water in the creative cycle. Using metallic (or metal-colored) elements in the fountain’s design will enhance its activation capability.
Materials that Generate Water
Use materials corresponding to Metal:
- Metal: Basins and decorative elements made of stainless steel, brass, or copper.
- Glass and Ceramics: Glass is also associated with Water. Smooth, rounded stones or glass beads at the bottom of the fountain help Qi flow smoothly.
Colors and Materials that Weaken Water (Deactivation)
Avoid excessive use of colors that weaken or destroy Water:
- Green/Brown (Wood): Although Wood nourishes Water (which is good for the Southeast), an excess of Wood can weaken Water itself.
- Yellow/Beige (Earth): Earth controls Water. Too much Earth in the design (e.g., heavy clay pots or sand) will suppress the Qi you are trying to activate.
Feng Shui Master’s Tips: How to Properly Care for a Water Talisman

Activation is not a one-time act but a continuous process of maintenance. A dirty, malfunctioning, or stagnant water talisman is the worst enemy of your prosperity. Caring for the talisman is a continuation of its activation.
Golden Rules of Care:
- Perfect Cleanliness: The water must be crystal clear. Regularly change the water in the fountain and keep the aquarium clean. Murky water symbolizes murky financial prospects.
- Constant Movement: The pump must be working properly. If the fountain breaks down, repair or remove it immediately. Stagnant water is Sha Qi, stagnation, and financial losses.
- Soft Sound: If your fountain starts making loud, unpleasant noises (pump noise, gurgling), it’s a sign of disharmony. Adjust the flow so the sound is calming and melodious.
- Adding Salt: Once a month, you can add a pinch of sea salt to the fountain’s water. Salt helps purify energy and neutralize negative Qi that may have accumulated.
- Flow Direction: Regularly check that the fountain’s stream is directed inward, not towards the door or window.
Common Mistakes in Activating a Water Talisman and How to Avoid Them

Even small mistakes can completely deactivate a talisman or, worse, attract negative energy. A Feng Shui master always pays attention to these details.
| Activation Mistake | Consequences | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Placement opposite a stove/fireplace. | Conflict between Water and Fire, financial losses, illnesses. | Move the talisman immediately. If impossible, use the Wood element (green color) between them to soften the conflict. |
| Water flowing outwards. | Outflow of money and opportunities from the house. | Reorient the fountain or image so that the flow is directed towards the center of the room. |
| Too much water in a small space. | “Overflow” of the sector, financial instability, stress. | Reduce the size of the talisman or move it to a more spacious location. |
| Using overly bright, red lighting. | Red is Fire, which weakens Water. | Use blue, white, or neutral colored lighting. |
| Incorrect choice of fish. | Aggressive or sick fish create Sha Qi. | Monitor the health of aquarium inhabitants. Choose calm species. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Talismans

1. Can tap water be used for activation?
Yes, but it must be clean. Ideally, filtered. Chlorinated water quickly damages pumps and creates chemical, not natural, Qi. Activation is always more effective when the purest, freshest water is used.
2. What to do if the fountain is in the correct place but not working?
A broken fountain means deactivation. If you cannot repair it within 24 hours, it should be removed from the active sector and covered until it is restored. Never leave a broken water talisman in the Wealth zone.
3. Can multiple water talismans be activated?
Yes, but with caution. You can have one aquarium in the Southeast (Wealth) and a small fountain in the North (Career). The main thing is not to “overload” the house with Water, to avoid imbalance, which manifests as anxiety and financial instability.
4. How to activate a talisman in an office?
In an office, a water talisman (usually a fountain) is best placed in the North (Career) or Wealth zone, but always near the entrance so that Qi can enter. The fountain should be compact and quiet so as not to disturb work.
Interesting Facts About Water in Feng Shui: Ancient Traditions and Modern Practices
Knowledge about water is not limited to fountains. Ancient masters knew that even the shape of a roof or the layout of paths could mimic the movement of water and influence Qi. Understanding these subtleties will help you delve deeper into the activation process.
- “Water Dragon” (Shui Long): In classical Feng Shui (Form), the movement of water is a metaphor for the movement of a Dragon bringing good fortune. Activating a talisman is “awakening” this Dragon.
- Koi Fish: In Japan and China, koi carp are considered symbols of perseverance and goal achievement. Their presence in an aquarium enhances not only monetary Qi but also the Qi of success in overcoming obstacles.
- Hidden Water: Even where there are no obvious water bodies, masters look for “hidden water” – winding paths, curved lines, or reflective surfaces, which can also be activated by proper lighting and direction.
- Yin-Yang Balance: Water flowing downwards (waterfall) is considered more Yin, while water gushing upwards (geyser) is more Yang. For wealth activation, we prefer balanced movement where water flows up and then gently falls, combining both energies.
Activating a water talisman is a powerful tool in the hands of those who believe in the power of Qi. Remember that water is an energy that requires respect, cleanliness, and proper direction. Apply this knowledge with care, and you will see how the flow of abundance fills your home. I wish you prosperity and harmony!
