Feng Shui or Vastu Shastra: BASIC CONCEPTS

What we know and understand of vastu shastra and feng shui can be quite limited, as ancient wisdom is rarely clearly translated and applied in the modern culture.

However, both feng shui and vastu shastra are becoming popular in home and office feng shui applications, so this simple exploration will help you. We will proceed from the basic concepts to home colors, bedroom tips and more. Enjoy your exploration!

The brief comparison below is a very, very simple and basic summary of deeply complex and ancient systems of knowledge. We summed it up in 3 main points.

1. Flow of Universal Energy. Both feng shui and vastu shastra are based on the knowledge of the flow of Universal energy called Chi in Chinese culture and Prana in Hindu. No matter you go for feng shui or vastu shastra, you will always be attuned to how the energy flows in your space, as well as be clear as to what is good energy (Sheng Chi in feng shui) and bad energy (Si Chi and Sha Chi).
   
   MORE: What is Chi? | How To Check the Flow of Chi in Your Home
   
   
2. Five Main Elements. The main concept in both feng shui and vastu shastra is the concept of five elements on which everything else in the Universe is built upon. However, the five elements in vastu shastra - Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Space - are different from the five elements in feng shui.
   
   MORE: What Are the Five Feng Shui Elements?



3. Reverence for the Sacred. It is believed that Vastu initially emerged as a science of building Hindu temples that truly express the reverence for the Divine. Feng shui originated with the same energy of honouring the Spirit world and those who passed on, this is why one of the initial applications of feng shui is the Yin feng shui, or feng shui of proper design of the graveyards.
   
   MORE: Origins of Feng Shui

How does it all apply to you on a practical level in your own home or office? How do Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui differ (or are similar) in their views on the front door, center of home, kitchen, bedroom, colors and more? Read on.

• What is Vastu Shastra and How Does it Compare to Feng Shui?