Feng Shui by Honey Lim

I’ve had requests asking me to comment on Auckland City Council ’s new logo and what I think of it from a feng shui perspective. Generally speaking, the logo doesn’t violate any core defensive basic feng shui rules about logos, but I do think that it lacks the right symbolism that a council logo for NZ’s largest city needs.

Here’s my brief analysis:

The colour used - blue - usually symbolises money and ambition. However, when used in a shape of a triangle (fire, which brings fame), creates a clash because fire and water clash. So instead of becoming a prosperity-bringing famous logo, it has instantly become an infamous money-burning logo, embroiled with quarrels and controversy. Now there is talk about a revised version incorporating sparks, which can only make things more explosive! The triangle also has a wavy “shaky” base, indicating lack of stability.

So in short, I can’t say I’m a fan of the new logo. But apart from being controversial and infamous, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong about it. One thing it did get right, was that the text “AUCKLAND” is larger than the “City Council” and was placed correctly above it. This does indicate that the council will put Auckland’s best interest at heart and work to support the city. Symbolically however, it’s disappointing that there’s nothing much positive to say about it either.

The old logo, in contrast, had a few distinctive symbolic features that were quite positive for Auckland:

1. Water (and the use of blue) - Which symbolises prosperity.
2. Shape of diamonds (squares) - which indicate stability and power (it would have been better if they were yellow)
3. A mountain behind - symbolising support for ACC from the New Zealand central government, and strong, smooth relationships.
4. 2 Sailing Ships. In general, pictures of ships have excellent meaning, and usually symbolise prosperity luck into a city. Sail ships in particular reflect dynamism, movement and progress (moving with the way the wind blows). In the old logo there was one larger ship, leading a smaller ship. This signifies leadership. They appear to be sailing towards Auckland - which was very auspicious indeed. I’m a little disappointed they’ve removed the ships - after all, Auckland, being the largest city, should (in my opinion) strive to be a leading progressive city in New Zealand.

There you have it - my brief analysis on the new logo. Comments from anyone out there about their new logo? Should we spend more money to keep it, junk it or just leave it alone?

See NZ Article about the logo: City of Sails become City of Logos (NZ Herald)