Vastu Shastra vs Feng Shui

Feng Shui helps make connections between us and the environment around us. Feng Shui items placed inside your home can become beacons of positivity that attracts natural elements. For example, wood (in the form of Feng Shui plants) can bring energy for a peaceful and harmonious home.

Feng Shui uses the five elements of nature — water, fire, metal, wood, and earth, to establish proper energy flow in a space. By placing Feng Shui items in certain areas of your living space, you can channel positive energy and remove stress.

Main Door

According to Vastu Shastra, the main door entrance should face either north, east, or northeast, whereas Feng Shui finds the south more auspicious.

Both advise against clutter around the front door. According to Feng Shui, walls and staircases directly opposite the front door are also to be avoided.

Centre of Home

The centre of the home is the heart of the house and is equally important in Vastu Shastra and in Feng Shui. It is the highest point of energy in the house.

It should ideally be an open space. That is one of the reasons that the centre of old houses had open courtyards as the energy from the centre radiates to the rest of the house. The Vastu living room should not be in the centre of the house.

In Feng Shui too, much importance is placed on the centre of the house. Though it does not necessarily have to be open, it should contain items that radiate positive energy, like the Tai Chi symbol.

Kitchen

Kitchen according to Vastu must be in the southeast direction. In the Kitchen according to Vastu, the hob must be in the southeast while the sink should sit in the northeast.

The Feng Shui kitchen should not be in the centre of the house. The kitchen should also not be directly opposite a bedroom, bathroom or main entrance in a Feng Shui home.

Both suggest inclusion of windows for energy to flow through the space.

Bedroom

The Vastu Shastra for bedroom prefers it be located in the southwest portion of the house.

In a Feng Shui bedroom, more focus is on the items of the bedroom. For example, the bed should be placed in a central position and should not be in front of the door and mirrors should not be visible from the bed.

Vastu Shastra for bedroom and Feng Shui suggest light and soothing colours for the space.

Bathroom

Vastu Shastra places the bathroom in the northwest portion while the bathing area should be in the north, east, or northeast portion. Vastu and Feng Shui agree that the bathroom door should stay closed.

Pooja Room

The pooja room should be in the northeast, according to Vastu Shastra. Ideally, you should face the east or north when you pray.

Feng Shui also suggests a north or east direction for the prayer room which should use wood and marble.

Study Room

Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui suggest a north or east direction for the study. They also agree that the student should be facing the east or north while studying. Feng Shui places stress on the desk placement in the study. It should be in a command position.

Kids Room

The kids’ room should face east, north-east or north according to Vastu Shastra.

Feng Shui places the bed diagonally from the door in a kids’ room and suggests avoiding the use of bright colours in the room. It should also be free of any clutter, and have ample flow of air.