Feng shui (traditional Chinese: 風水; simplified Chinese: 风水; pinyin: fēng shuǐ; pronounced /ˈfəŋˌʃueɪ/ foong-shoy in Chinese Mandarin, "fheng-schway" in American English) is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu (traditional Chinese: 堪輿; simplified Chinese: 堪舆; pinyin: kānyú; literally: Tao of heaven and earth).

The words feng shui literally translate as "wind-water" in English. This is a cultural shorthand taken from the following passage of the Zhangshu (Book of Burial) by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty:

Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.

Traditional Feng Shui practice always requires an extremely accurate Chinese compass, or Luo Pan, in order to determine the directions in finding any auspicious sector in a desired location.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Dining Room Designs and Vaastu Sashtra

You've heard about Fengh Shui as a guiding principle in achieving the best home designs. Now consider Vaastu Shastra, an ancient Indian art of developing a perfectly balanced environment composed of physical and metaphysical forces. Vaastu Shastra also has solid principles on the power of energy and how its flow in a room affects the lives of it's dwellers.

What 'Chi' is to Feng Shui, 'Pran' is to Vaastu. Both are terms referring to the energy flow that makes space be either a positive or negative influence to its occupants. Feng Shui or Vaastu Shastra, everyone can use a good set of guidelines to consider in designing a dining room where family members meet and share precious moments while sharing a meal.

'Vas' means to reside or live in and 'Shastra' means science. The term Vaastu Shastra may then be literally understood as the "science of building homes." It basically gives you a picture of what things to put in a room and how to arrange them in a way that attracts a flow of positive energy. However, there is more to it that makes it popular.

Vaastu Shastra recommends that the west portion of a house be utilized for constructing a dining room. In terms of the furniture, the dining table should not set against a wall. It is also deemed important that diners have ample space between each other and all around the table for them to be able to move with ease. As for the shape of the dining tables, the most recommended are square and rectangular.

The principles of Vaastu Shastra also promote neat furniture arrangements in the dining and every other room in the house. Too many furniture pieces which result in overcrowding of any living space is also discouraged. If the dining room merges into the kitchen or any other room as part of an open plan area, there should be some sort of division in the form of potted plants or glass. Having a toilet adjacent to the dining room or one that opens into it is discouraged, as well as having a chandelier or anything that directs a beam of light into the dining table. Only calming colors such as beige or yellow should also be painted on the walls and anything too strong is deemed unsuitable.

The ancient belief not only covers dining room arrangements but also the seating arrangement of family members who are about to share a meal. It is encouraged that parents sit facing the North, North - East, or Eastern directions. If children were to be seated in any of those positions, it is believed that they will eventually overpower their parents in terms of running the household and their lives. This Indian tradition also recommends some ort of offering made to a cow, crow or dog before a meal is served.



Autor: Kelly Y Kim

For your furniture options, the rules remain the same - get only stylish, high-quality and functional dining room furniture, bedroom furniture, or any other type of furniture you may need to complete that home remodeling project.


Added: September 7, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

1 Comment:

maharaja said...

well said.just by following the basics of vaastu will led us better life.Want to know more about Vaastu ,Just Click the link www.vaastuforu.com.