Title: Feng Shui Word Count: 569 Summary: Signifying the art of living in harmony, both Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra are rooted in ancient wisdom and philosophy of China and India, respectively. In compliance with living principles and ancient wisdom, both these prehistoric schools of thought believe in creating a flow of positive energy, which is harmonious for living spaces. Keywords: feng shui, bedroom feng shui, home decorating feng shui, chinese feng shui, kitchen feng shui. Article Body: Signifying the art of living in harmony, both Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra are rooted in ancient wisdom and philosophy of China and India, respectively. In compliance with living principles and ancient wisdom, both these prehistoric schools of thought believe in creating a flow of positive energy, which is harmonious for living spaces. With the global advent of architecture, the science of Feng Shui (pronounced as Fung Shway) is not restricted to China; it has come a long way to be recognized as a relevant science in today’s lifestyle. It applies to offices, homes, businesses and any other dwelling. Based on the principles of balancing energies connected with nature and environment, Feng Shui attempts to create a positive flow of force to impact in your prime areas of life. To understand the importance of Feng Shui practically, surveying a house or business is of utmost importance. In a dwelling, the Kitchen and the Bedroom are most important features of a home; the Chinese even bestow the kitchen stove as being the source of health and prosperity. The birth number, known as Kua in Chinese helps to determine the best directions individually, even for your kitchen! Tips on Kitchen Feng Shui believes that a wrong kitchen direction can bring misfortune to a family. Also, the kitchen should not be directly below the toilet, or adjacent to it. It believes that the Kitchen should not be in the center, and that the cooking gas or stove should not be placed on the same slab as the sink. Water and fire are opposite forms of energy and as water can put off fire, to avoid friction, they should be separate. Refrigerator is considered to be a water element too, and hence should be away from the stove. The best would be a triangle that the cooking gas, stove and refrigerator form. While cooking, the cook should not have his back towards the door to avoid any feeling of startling while cooking. Reflecting mirrors can be a solution where all the other factors are sound. Overhead lights on a cooking gas are believed to be disastrous. It can lead to financial crisis. To negate the effects, one can hang bamboo flutes at an angle of 45 degree. Green is a kitchen color and a clutter free kitchen attracts Chi(positive energy), unused articles are advised to be discarded(articles not used in one and half years). Tips on Bedroom A bedroom door must open completely as it symbolizes allowing opportunities and fortune. In Feng Shui, bedroom doors that open less than 90* may mean constricted energy flow and opportunities. On entrance, it is advised to place something pleasant—your art, vase and sculpture pieces or a family photograph. It is a greeting. For optimum functionality, there should be a clutter-less area—closets, almirahs and storage furniture. Symbolically clutter means that there are things left undone in your life. Organization definitely feels like empowerment, and brings a feeling of neat space and serenity to any room, especially bedroom. Resting rooms need to be quiet and peaceful with little chaos. The best sleeping direction would be the one that helps you face the door. When you get up, your feet should be towards to door to help you feel in command and control. A mirror opposite the door where there is a wall will help circulate energy. Bright lights above the bed are a big ‘no’.