Feng Shui: The Chinese Art of Harmony
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art that focuses on harmonizing individuals with their surrounding environment. It is grounded in Taoist principles and the concept of ‘qi’ or ‘chi’ – the life force or energy flow. feng shui practitioners use various tools and principles, like the Bagua map and the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), to optimize the flow of this energy in living and working spaces.

Vastu Shastra: India’s Science of Architecture
Vastu Shastra, often termed the ‘science of architecture’, is an ancient Indian system of design based on directional alignments. It is rooted in the Vedas, the comprehensive scriptures of Hinduism, and focuses on integrating architecture with nature, using geometric patterns (yantras), symmetry, and directional alignments. Vastu aims to create spaces that align with the fundamental forces of nature.

Similarities Between feng shui and Vastu Shastra

Holistic Approach: Both systems take a holistic approach to design, emphasising the importance of living in harmony with the environment.
Energy Flow: Each practice focuses on the flow of energy – ‘qi’ in feng shui and ‘Prana’ in Vastu Shastra – and its influence on well-being.
Five Elements: Both incorporate the concept of the five elements, although they are defined differently in each system.
Spiritual Foundations: Each is deeply rooted in its respective spiritual and cultural traditions, offering more than just aesthetic guidelines – they provide a way of living.

Key Differences Between feng shui and Vastu Shastra

Cultural Origins: feng shui originates from China and is influenced by Taoist philosophies, while Vastu Shastra is derived from ancient Indian Vedic traditions.
Guiding Principles: feng shui uses the Bagua map to analyse and correct the flow of energy, focusing on the layout and orientation of spaces. Vastu Shastra relies more on cardinal directions and specific measurements for design and layout.
Flexibility vs. Rigidity: feng shui is generally more flexible, offering remedies and cures to adjust existing structures, while Vastu Shastra is often more rigid, emphasising specific dimensions and orientations from the beginning of a design.
Application Scope: While both can be applied to homes, offices, and gardens, Vastu Shastra also extends to town planning and larger architectural projects.

Conclusion
feng shui and Vastu Shastra, despite their differences, share a common goal: to enhance the quality of life through harmonious design. By understanding and respecting the principles of both, one can appreciate the depth and wisdom they bring to the spaces we inhabit. Whether through the flexible adaptation of feng shui or the precise guidelines of Vastu Shastra, both systems offer invaluable insights into the art of creating balanced and prosperous environments.

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Integrating Both Practices in Modern Living

The Role of Compass Directions
A fundamental distinction lies in how each system views compass directions. In Vastu Shastra, each direction is ruled by a specific deity and planet, with the main entrance ideally facing north, east, or northeast for maximum benefit. feng shui, while also considering directions, uses the Bagua map to divide a space into specific areas that correspond to different aspects of life, such as wealth, health, or love.

The Concept of Time
Another interesting difference is the incorporation of time. feng shui includes the dimension of time in its analysis, with certain remedies and arrangements changing with the lunar year. Vastu Shastra, on the other hand, is more static, with principles that remain constant over time.

Interior and Exterior Elements
Both systems emphasise the importance of interior and exterior harmony, but they approach it differently. feng shui places significant emphasis on the arrangement of objects within a space, like furniture placement and colour choices. Vastu Shastra focuses more on the structural aspects, such as the location of doors, windows, and rooms.

Energy Correction Techniques
In feng shui, remedies such as mirrors, crystals, or water features are used to correct the energy flow. Vastu Shastra may suggest structural changes, like the addition or removal of rooms or changing the orientation of the house.

Integration in Contemporary Design
Modern architects and interior designers often integrate principles from both feng shui and Vastu Shastra, acknowledging their benefits in creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also harmonious and energising. For instance, the use of natural light, open spaces, and the incorporation of natural elements can be seen as an amalgamation of both practices.

Personal and Cultural Interpretations
While both systems have their traditional roots, modern adaptations have seen a blending of these principles with personal and cultural interpretations. In the West, feng shui has been adapted to suit contemporary lifestyles, just as Vastu principles have been modified in modern Indian architecture.

The Universal Appeal of Harmonious Living
The growing interest in feng shui and Vastu Shastra worldwide is a testament to the universal human quest for balance, harmony, and connection with our environment. By understanding the underlying principles of these ancient wisdoms, we can create spaces that nurture and support us, both physically and spiritually.

Conclusion
In conclusion, while feng shui and Vastu Shastra have distinct origins and methodologies, their convergence lies in the shared goal of enhancing human well-being through environmental harmony. By appreciating both, we open ourselves to a world where space, energy, and design interplay gracefully, fostering environments that uplift and inspire. Whether one follows the flexible path of feng shui or the structured approach of Vastu Shastra, the journey towards creating more harmonious spaces is a rewarding one, filled with insights into the ancient wisdom that continues to guide us in the modern world.

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South facing house with good vastu

What is vastu shastra for?
Vastu shastra (translates as ‘science of architecture’) commonly known as Vastu, is a traditional Indian system of architecture similar to feng shui and it was originally developed to help people design perfect dwellings for living and working. Although, originally vastu was based on simple observation in relation to local climate and needs and it made sense in that context, over time people started to generalise its principles as if they were universal and tried applying them without contextual considerations. Many vastu suggestions were based on what was possible technologically in the old days and now are not so relevant since building practice has moved on and most of the problems have been resolved with modern technology such as plumbing, heating, etc. Read more about vastu shastra

Vastu for the flat or house entrance
According to vastu, an ideal compass direction for the entrance is the east since the Sun rises there and offers ideal, uplifting energy. North direction is also considered auspicious. Other directions are considered less auspicious. This was and might be still very relevant in India which is much hotter than the UK for example where these principles don’t apply so well. Many vastu practitioners from India suggest avoiding houses which are facing south because of the strong sunlight, which might be very relevant in India but not so in the UK. Also, it depends how the entrance is constructed and if it has a veranda or shading – so don’t base your decision solely based on this criteria.

How important are directions in vastu?
Traditionally, vastu put a lot of importance on compass directions which were very important at the time when vastu was developed because India was mainly an agrarian culture. Some of those compass directions become superstitions. For example, some vastu suggests that toilets and bathrooms ideally should be located in the south-west or the southern parts of the property. The reason given is that the wind blows from north-east to south-west and if toilets are placed in north-east, the wind will blow from toilet to the living room thereby contaminating the atmosphere. Well, that might have been relevant in that particular part of India at that time but is it relevant in modern Britain for example? The short answer is: no. And that’s how local, specific and culture-specific suggestions become superstitions in the vastu knowledge.

Another example of superstitious generalisation of vastu principles is a suggestion to avoid buying a flat that has toilets in the northeast. In the old days when plumbing and heating weren’t very well developed, placing a toilet in the north-east part of the house wasn’t wise for a simple reason that that part of the house is the coldest and there would be more dump and condensation which would a fertile ground for mould. But today’s bathrooms with good central heating and plumbing usually don’t pose such a problem.

Vastu basics for homes
A health house or flat is key to your prosperity. The bedrooms are the most important rooms. Check for geopathic stress and electro-smog such as dirty electricity which can affect your health. Electromagnetic pollution is now considered by many scientists as the major pollutant and environmental stressor. Avoid houses which have smart meters which are considered a health hazard. The shape of the property can affect how you feel and prosper in your new home – fairly regular shapes are prefered to very irregular ones. The local topography around the property will have an influence on your general wellbeing. Sunlight is important in the UK, so choose a property that has plenty of light. Ideal location for your kitchen is in the south-east part of the property because of the benefits of the rising sun but again, don’t worry if that’s not feasible. Modern kitchen appliances and LED warm lighting can remedy this situation.

Similarities and differences between vastu and feng shui
There are some similarities and differences between vastu and feng shui. In short, feng shui developed more ways to correct problems once the building is constructed. Vastu is very good for designing and constructing new buildings from scratch. Once the house is built there is little one can do to remedy the location of the individual rooms.

Top vastu tips for purchasing a new home

• Check the history of the property
• Consider the compass directions and the cycle of the movement of the Sun
• Good shapes for the property, flat or house are fairly regular shapes
• Check for any negative influences outside and inside
• Check for geopathic stress
• Check for electro-smog ie local mobile masts, smart meters, dirty electricity
• The position of the staircase is important – ideally, you shouldn’t see the staircase when entering the property
• Don’t base your decision on one or two culture-specific vastu principles which might not be relevant in the UK
• Follow your intuition and common sense – if some vastu suggestions don’t make sense, don’t follow them – always ask ‘why’ something is suggested

Still not sure…
If you’re still not sure about the property, call/text/whatsapp Jan, Vastu and Feng Shui Expert on +44 7956 288574 or email and he can advise you if the property is vastu complient or not, onsite or remotely from online links and visuals.

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