On Saturday, 17 May 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at WordCamp 2025, where I shared a unique perspective on web design—integrating Feng Shui principles into WordPress page layouts. In my session titled “Feng Shui in WordPress Page Design”, held from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, I explored how ancient Chinese metaphysics can harmonize with modern digital aesthetics to create websites that are not only visually appealing but also energetically aligned. Drawing from my background in both technology and metaphysics, I demonstrated how the Four Symbols (四象) and other Feng Shui concepts can guide layout decisions to enhance user experience, engagement, and even digital prosperity.
Chinese Metaphysics and Feng Shui
Chinese metaphysics is a broader field that encompasses various systems of thought, including Feng Shui, the Four Pillars of Destiny (BaZi), I Ching, and Chinese astrology. These systems are based on the dynamic interactions of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and the Yin-Yang duality, offering insights into patterns, timing, and energy alignment. When applied to modern contexts like web design, Chinese metaphysics provides a framework for creating digital environments that are not only functional but also energetically balanced—enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and the performance of a website.
Feng Shui, which translates to “wind and water,” is an ancient Chinese practice rooted in the philosophy of harmonizing individuals with their surrounding environment. It is a branch of Chinese metaphysics that focuses on the flow of Qi (energy) and how spatial arrangement, orientation, and design can influence well-being, prosperity, and success. Traditionally applied to architecture and interior design, Feng Shui principles are increasingly being adapted to digital spaces—like websites—where layout, color, and content placement can affect user experience and engagement in subtle but powerful ways.
Four Symbols
The Four Symbols are powerful archetypes in Chinese metaphysics, each representing a cardinal direction, an element, and a specific type of energy. These symbols—Azure Dragon, Vermillion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—are traditionally used in Feng Shui to guide spatial arrangement and energy flow. When applied to web design, they can help structure a page in a way that feels balanced, intuitive, and energetically aligned. For example, placing navigation elements in the east (Dragon) encourages growth and exploration, while positioning call-to-action buttons in the west (Tiger) promotes decisive action. This symbolic framework can enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of a WordPress site.
Applying the Four Symbols to Web Design
| Symbol | Direction | Element | Suggested Web Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Dragon (青龙) | East | Wood (木) | Menu tab / Navigation |
| Vermillion Bird (朱雀) | South | Fire (火) | Header / Notifications / Advertisements |
| White Tiger (白虎) | West | Metal (金) | Images / Call-to-action buttons |
| Black Tortoise (玄武) | North | Water (水) | Footer / Support links |
| Yellow Dragon (麒麟) | Center | Earth (土) | Main Content / Product Listings |
Case Study: Paul Tan Automotive News
A compelling example of Feng Shui principles subtly influencing web design can be seen in the layout of Paul Tan’s Automotive News website. The site demonstrates a balanced and intuitive structure that aligns with the Four Symbols framework. The logo and dropdown menu are positioned in the top-left (East), resonating with the Azure Dragon and symbolizing growth and navigation. The header area (South) is used effectively for language selection and announcements, aligning with the Vermillion Bird’s energy of visibility and communication. Images and call-to-action elements are placed strategically on the right side (West), invoking the White Tiger’s decisiveness. Meanwhile, the footer (North) is clean and supportive, reflecting the Black Tortoise’s grounding presence. The site also uses lightweight images and SEO-friendly English titles, enhancing both performance and discoverability. This thoughtful layout not only improves user experience but also subtly channels positive digital energy in line with Feng Shui principles.
Other case study: Heatmap Analysis of Top 10 Websites that used WordPress
Heatmap Analysis & User Behavior
Understanding how users interact with a website is crucial for optimizing both design and performance. Heatmap analysis provides visual insights into where users click, scroll, and spend the most time—revealing which areas attract attention and which are ignored. While Google Analytics has discontinued its native heatmap functionality, tools like Microsoft Clarity have emerged as powerful alternatives. Clarity offers free, real-time heatmaps and session recordings, allowing WordPress site owners to observe user behavior and refine their layouts accordingly. When combined with Feng Shui principles, heatmap data can validate whether key elements—such as navigation menus (East), call-to-action buttons (West), and headers (South)—are effectively placed to align with both user intent and energetic flow.
9 Periods and WordPress
As we enter Period 9 in Feng Shui (2024–2043), the focus shifts toward fire energy, innovation, and digital transformation—making it an ideal era for tech-driven growth. Johor, located at the southernmost tip of Malaysia, is uniquely positioned to harness this momentum. With the rise of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the presence of 13 operational data centers, and its growing reputation as a digital hub, Johor is emerging as a powerful energetic and economic node in Southeast Asia. Hosting WordCamp JB 2025 in this vibrant region is not only timely but symbolically aligned with Feng Shui principles—especially with the South (Vermillion Bird) representing visibility, communication, and technological advancement. Johor’s dynamic blend of infrastructure, cross-border collaboration, and metaphysical alignment makes it a truly auspicious location for tech conferences and digital innovation.
FREE Web based Feng Shui Advisor Tools
In the digital age, applying Feng Shui principles to web design goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about creating harmony between user experience, performance, and energy flow. Modern tools like Google Lighthouse serve as powerful Web Feng Shui advisors, offering insights into a site’s speed, accessibility, SEO, and overall usability. These metrics align closely with Feng Shui goals such as smoothness (顺), clarity (好), and prosperity (财). By analyzing a website’s structure and performance, Lighthouse helps developers identify “energetic blockages” like slow-loading elements or poor mobile responsiveness, much like how a Feng Shui master would assess the flow of Qi in a physical space. When used alongside heatmap tools like Microsoft Clarity, these digital advisors empower WordPress designers to build sites that are not only technically sound but also energetically aligned for success.
Key Summary
- Assess the Layout Using the Four Symbols
- Map your site’s layout to the Four Symbols:
- East (Azure Dragon): Ensure your navigation/menu is clear and encourages exploration.
- South (Vermillion Bird): Use this area for headers, announcements, or ads to boost visibility.
- West (White Tiger): Place call-to-action buttons or images here to prompt user engagement.
- North (Black Tortoise): Keep your footer clean and supportive, with essential links and contact info.
- Map your site’s layout to the Four Symbols:
- Check Energy Flow (Qi)
- Avoid cluttered pages or overwhelming visuals.
- Ensure smooth scrolling and intuitive navigation—this reflects unblocked Qi.
- Use Web Feng Shui Tools
- Run a Google Lighthouse audit to evaluate performance, accessibility, and SEO.
- Use Microsoft Clarity to analyze heatmaps and session recordings, identifying areas of high and low user interaction.
- Balance the Five Elements
- Incorporate colors and design elements that represent Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
- Example: Use green for growth (Wood) in navigation, red for action (Fire) in buttons, and blue for trust (Water) in support areas.
- Optimize for Period 9
- Emphasize visual content (images, videos) and mobile responsiveness, as Period 9 favors fire energy and digital visibility.
- Highlight innovation and tech-forward features to align with the energetic shift.
- Align Content with Purpose
- Ensure your content supports your goals: good design (好), smooth experience (顺), and wealth generation (财).
- Use symbolic Chinese characters or metaphors subtly in branding or layout to reinforce intention.
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