I love Amsterdam for all kinds of reasons. Feng shui is one of them, with the most amazing architecture and rhizomatic canals that make this city so vibrant and friendly. Let’s explore why Amsterdam is a model feng shui city.

Eurostar to Amsterdam Central Station made Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, a very popular place to visit with 14 million tourists a year. What’s the attraction?

A very short history of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is named after a 13the century dam on the river Amstel. Amsterdam has more museum per square meter than any other city with the Rijksmuseum being the biggest which houses 800 years of Dutch history. Micropia, a zoo and a museum, a winner of European Museum Awards for the ‘Most innovative museum’ is an interesting place to visit.

The energy flow of Amsterdam – the city of cycles
Over 800 000 bikes make Amsterdam a very cycle-friendly city (only 263 000 cars) which makes 53% of traffic is cycling and comfortable to get around by bike.

Canals and bridges make Amsterdam a very much connected place itself to live as well as internationally (327 international destinations from Schiphol Airport).

The water element of Amsterdam and why there are so many canals?
There are 60 miles of canals (which outstrip those of Venice and Birmingham combined) which make Amsterdam a very rhizomatic city. In short, there were marshes before and to make good use of the land, they’ve dug out all the mud and made the levees on the sides of the canals from that dug-out mud.

Water the element of wealth in feng shui makes Amsterdam a growing business metropolis and a hub with many companies moving here as a result of Brexit. Read more about the water element and other elements below.

A French philosopher Gilles Deleuze (who was a great fan of Spinoza), at the beginning of his book A Thousand Plateaus calls Amsterdam the “rhizome city.” What does he mean by that? He says, “Amsterdam, a city entirely without roots, a rhizome-city with its stem-canals, where utility connects with the greatest folly in relation to a commercial war machine.” Anyone who enters Amsterdam finds it difficult to leave.

Arial views of Amsterdam
To appreciate the panoramic views of Amsterdam, go to Over The Edge at A’DAM LOOKOUT.

Spiritual feng shui of Amsterdam
Saint Nicholas Church was founded c. 1213AD. The Westerkerk Church, Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk (the New Church) are interesting churches to visit.

Feng Shui and the Five Elements of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the charming capital of the Netherlands, known for its artistic heritage, winding canals, and narrow houses, offers an alluring journey into the world of Feng Shui’s five elements – water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Let’s explore how these elements seamlessly weave into the city’s vibrant tapestry, creating a harmonious interplay of energy and balance.

Water: Flowing Prosperity and Connection
In Feng Shui, water signifies the flow of prosperity and life, a theme reflected powerfully in Amsterdam’s iconic canals. These canals, including the Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, symbolize the continuous flow of life and abundance. Amsterdam’s affinity for water is further underscored by its numerous bridges, each acting as a connector, mirroring water’s fluid and cohesive nature.

Feng shui consultants in Amsterdam
Feel free to call/text/Whatsapp me on +44 7956 288574 for a quote for feng shui consultation for your home or workplace. I’d be happy to travel to Amsterdam or do a remote feng shui consultation via Skype / FaceTime or Whatsapp. Email me

Wood: Vitality and Growth in the City
The wood element, denoting growth and vitality in Feng Shui, resonates in Amsterdam’s commitment to urban greenery. Parks such as Vondelpark, with its thriving flora, and the city’s tree-lined canals, embody the life-affirming energy of wood. Additionally, the presence of wooden windmills and the historic wooden houses in the Begijnhof amplify this element, signifying a connection to nature and renewal.

Fire: The Transformative Spirit of Culture
Fire, signifying transformation and passion in Feng Shui, is brilliantly captured in Amsterdam’s dynamic cultural and artistic scene. The city’s renowned museums, such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, illuminate this transformative energy. Amsterdam’s vibrant nightlife, from its energetic dance festivals to the warm ambiance of its brown cafes, further echoes the passionate quality of fire.

Earth: Stability and Nourishment through History
The earth element in Feng Shui, representing stability and nourishment, is deeply rooted in Amsterdam’s historical and architectural heritage. Landmarks like the Royal Palace and the Anne Frank House provide a sense of grounding and connection to the city’s rich past. The earthy tones of the city’s architecture and the hearty Dutch cuisine contribute to the nurturing aspects of the earth element.

Metal: Clarity, Innovation and Resilience
Lastly, the metal element in Feng Shui, associated with clarity, precision, and resilience, is reflected in Amsterdam’s modern architecture and its spirit of innovation. Cutting-edge structures like the EYE Film Institute and the A’DAM Tower epitomize the strength and resilience inherent in the metal element. Amsterdam’s status as a hub for tech startups and creative industries signifies the city’s forward-thinking approach and aligns with the innovative qualities of metal.

In conclusion, Amsterdam’s unique charm and vitality can be seen as a harmonious convergence of Feng Shui’s five elements. Each element contributes to the city’s distinctive energy, creating an enchanting blend of history, culture, and urban dynamism. Whether you are a Feng Shui practitioner or a curious traveller, Amsterdam offers an intriguing canvas where nature’s elements and urban beauty harmonize in a vibrant symphony.

Famous Amsterdammers and Dutch mentality
Famous Amsterdammers include Anne Frank, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, Spinoza (one of my favourite philosophers) and Daniel Farenheight.

Dutch are very practical and business-minded with a healthy work-life balance.

Why the Dutch have the secret to happiness? Niksen
It’s ‘niksen’, a Dutch concept for ‘doing nothing’ which means taking time to be unproductive that makes them happier and healthier (Dutch are listed on the 5th place on the UN’s World Happiness Report as opposed to the UK ranked at 15th) . Niksen is not like mindfulness. It has no purpose whatsoever. As WHO (World Health Organisation) recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon caused by chronic workplace stress and drive to achieve more – being aimless might be a ‘cure’. How do you do niksen then? Do what you like BUT not something that might be useful, for example, stare out of the window, listen to music, sunbathe, daydream, let your mind wander without switching to action… do zilch, be idle is the spirit of niksen.

Food energetics
Jenever, the Dutch prequel to gin is one drink to try. And the first thing I always do when coming to Amsterdam is to visit Confectionery Lanskroon for cinnamon croissants that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

Huis met de Hoofden: A Sanctuary of Knowledge, Books, and Intellectual Legacy

The Huis met de Hoofden (House with the Heads) in Amsterdam is an iconic 17th-century canal house that stands as a testament to the city’s rich architectural and intellectual history. Built in 1622 by Hendrick de Keyser, this grand building is named after the six carved stone heads on its façade, which are believed to represent Roman gods or allegorical figures symbolising wisdom, virtue, and strength. Over the centuries, the house has been home to prominent merchants, scholars, and humanists, serving as a centre for knowledge, art, and cultural exchange. Today, it houses the Ritman Library, also known as the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, a unique collection of rare manuscripts and books dedicated to esoteric traditions, alchemy, mysticism, and religious philosophy. The library, founded by Joost Ritman, embodies the idea that books are not just objects but portals to deeper understanding, reflection, and transformation.

The Huis met de Hoofden has become a sanctuary for book lovers, scholars, and those drawn to the pursuit of wisdom. The Ritman Library’s collection includes rare texts from thinkers such as Paracelsus, Giordano Bruno, and Jakob Böhme, among others, making it a treasure trove for those interested in the intersections between science, religion, and philosophy. In this sense, the house is not merely a historical landmark but a living embodiment of the power of books to shape minds, inspire inquiry, and challenge prevailing thought. Just as Umberto Eco famously emphasised the significance of unread books in an “antilibrary,” where knowledge is accumulated not merely for immediate use but for lifelong learning, the Huis met de Hoofden functions as a reservoir of intellectual potential. Its shelves hold books that invite readers to explore the unknown, prompting new questions rather than providing definitive answers.

The presence of the Ritman Library in this historic house reinforces the idea that reading is not simply about consumption but about engagement and transformation. The setting of the Huis met de Hoofden, with its grand architecture and centuries-old history, creates an atmosphere of reverence for books, mirroring the way great thinkers throughout history have sought wisdom through texts. It serves as a reminder that books are not passive objects but active participants in the evolution of human thought. Whether in the hushed corridors of the Huis met de Hoofden or in personal libraries around the world, reading is an act that transcends time and space, connecting individuals with the ideas and insights of those who came before them. The house, with its rich heritage and scholarly significance, thus stands as a bridge between the past and the future, reinforcing the timeless role of books in shaping human understanding.

I’m giving a short 4-hour workshop called Learn Speed Reading Faster on 13 March 2025 – at Huis met de Hoofden – to show how speed reading can free time so you can read deeper and slower.

Metrics
Population: 863 000 in the city, 2.4 million in the metropolitan area
Murders: 14
Unemployment: 5%
Media: 8 national papers based in the city, 1 dedicated to Amsterdam
Culture: 180 art galleries, 26 libraries, 21 cinemas – my favourite is Pathé Tuschinski
Bookshops: my favourite one is The American Book Center and The Ritman Library

Feng shui consultants in Amsterdam

A quick Google search revealed that there are not many feng shui consultants in Amsterdam. So if you live in Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands and are looking for a feng shui consultant feel free to call/text/Whatsapp me on +44 7956 288574 for a quote for feng shui consultation for your home or workplace. I’d be happy to travel to Amsterdam or do a remote feng shui consultation via Skype / FaceTime or Whatsapp. Email me