West group · Qian trigram · Metal

Kua number 6: best desk direction for working

Kua 6 belongs to the West group and the Qian (Heaven) trigram, whose element is Metal. In Compass School feng shui, that gives you four favourable and four challenging directions for working.

Short answer

Sit facing W (Sheng Qi, traditionally vitality and success) or NW (Fu Wei). Avoid facing S. Keep the door in view first; direction is a refinement on top.

Take the 30-second check ↓

✕ Challenging direction · Harmony 62
DeskOffice chairIN3.00 m · 9.8 ft3.40 m · 11.2 ftN
The same room with the desk turned to a challenging direction for you.
✓ Kua-friendly layout · Harmony 76
DeskOffice chairIN3.00 m · 9.8 ft3.40 m · 11.2 ftN
Facing W (Sheng Qi), with the door in view and a wall behind.

Both plans are scored live by the same rules engine we use on your own room. “Harmony” is a 0–100 layout score.

NLiu ShaNETian YiEWu GuiSEHuo HaiSJue MingSWNian YanWSheng QiNWFu Wei6

Green: favourable directions. Red: challenging directions. Darker shades mark the strongest of each.

Your eight directions as a Kua 6

DirectionTraditional nameWhat it’s associated with
WSheng Qi (favourable)Traditionally the direction of vitality and success; the classic choice to face while you work
NETian Yi (favourable)Traditionally linked with health and recovery; a favourite for the head of the bed
SWNian Yan (favourable)Traditionally linked with relationships and harmony; the other classic bed direction, especially for couples
NWFu Wei (favourable)Traditionally the direction of stability and personal growth; calm and steady
SEHuo Hai (challenging)Traditionally the mildest of the four challenging directions, associated with small setbacks
EWu Gui (challenging)The “five ghosts” direction, traditionally associated with friction and restlessness
NLiu Sha (challenging)The “six killings” direction, traditionally associated with scattered energy and delays
SJue Ming (challenging)The “total loss” direction, traditionally the one to avoid for sleeping and working

How to use this in your office

“Direction” here means the way you face when seated at the desk. Sit in your chair and take a compass reading on your phone, pointed straight ahead.

  1. First make sure you can see the door and have a wall behind you (see desk with your back to the door).
  2. Then prefer facing W or NW.
  3. If you can only get one, choose the door view. It matters more day to day.

Which birth years are Kua 6?

Kua is calculated from your birth year, using the Chinese solar year, which begins around 4 February. If you were born in January or early February, use the previous year. The traditional calculation has two formulas: the yang formula (traditionally used for men) and the yin formula (traditionally used for women). We let you choose whichever feels right for you.

Yang formula: Kua 6 if born in

1940, 1949, 1958, 1967, 1976, 1985, 1994, 2003, 2012, 2021

Yin formula: Kua 6 if born in

1946, 1955, 1964, 1973, 1982, 1991, 2000, 2009, 2018

Years 1940–2025, counting from 4 February.

Metal: your Kua element

The Qian trigram is associated with metal (clarity, precision, focus). Many consultants suggest a little of your element in the rooms you use most: whites, greys, metallics, and circles, arches. It’s a gentle personal touch, not a rule. See metal element in the bedroom.

30-second check

Is your desk facing a good direction for Kua 6?

1. Which direction do you face when seated at your desk?
2. Can you see the door from your chair?

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Questions people ask

What group is Kua 6?

West group. West group numbers are 2, 6, 7 and 8; they share the same four favourable directions, in a different order.

Does my Kua number change?

No, it’s fixed by your birth year. The feng shui year starts around 4 February, so January and early-February birthdays use the previous year.

Is Kua more important than the command position?

Most consultants put Form School first: the command position and a solid wall behind you. Kua directions are a personal refinement on top of a good layout.

My partner and I have different Kua numbers. What now?

If you’re in the same group, you share favourable directions. If not, pick a direction that is favourable for one and neutral-to-mild (Huo Hai) for the other rather than anyone’s Jue Ming.

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