Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture and design, focuses on creating harmony between our spaces and the natural energies surrounding them. One of the most critical aspects of Vastu is the understanding of Vastu zones and their associated elements and colors, as these factors significantly impact areas like health, relationships, finances, and overall well-being. In Vastu, there are 8 primary directions, also known as cardinal directions, and 16 zones, which are sub-divisions of these directions that offer a more nuanced influence on a space’s energy flow. Each direction in Vastu is governed by one of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, or space. When the 16 zones are in harmony, the home becomes a gentle but constant tailwind for every resident’s intentions. This guide explores the 16 Vastu zones, their governing elements, and their influence on life, providing a practical blueprint for placement, décor, and daily use to ensure the space actively supports goals and well-being.
The Foundation: 8 Primary Directions
Vastu divides the space in a house into 8 primary directions, sometimes called cardinal or main directions. Each of these directions has an associated element, energy, and qualities that impact the well-being of the people in the space. These 8 primary directions are:
- North (Uttar)
- Northeast (Ishaan)
- East (Purva)
- Southeast (Agni)
- South (Dakshin)
- Southwest (Nairitya)
- West (Paschim)
- Northwest (Vayavya)
These 8 directions represent fundamental energies that influence the layout of a house, plot, or building and its occupants’ health, wealth, relationships, and spiritual well-being. Vastu Shastra goes beyond these 8 primary directions and divides them further into 16 sub-divisions, or Vastu zones. These 16 zones act as a blueprint for our well-being. They are derived by dividing the 8 primary directions into two parts each, creating additional dimensions for better understanding and utilization of space.
The 16 Vastu Zones: A Detailed Mapping
The 16 Vastu zones provide a sophisticated understanding of how direction, element, and human psychology interact within the built environment. Each zone holds a specific purpose and carries an emotional signature. Aligning these zones ensures that a home or office naturally supports aspirations, while misalignment can lead to feelings of heaviness, slowness, or directionlessness due to out-of-sync energy flow and functional planning.
1. North of North-West (NNW) – Attraction and Intimacy
The NNW zone is governed by the elements Air and Water. Its core focus is on attraction and intimacy. This zone supports emotional processing and healing, governing how individuals process emotions and past memories. It influences the balancing of relationships. - Supportive Colors: Light creams, pastels, and soft neutrals. - Ideal Uses: Guest lounge, soft seating areas. - Avoid/Caution: Aggressive reds and clutter. - Remedies: To enhance this zone, one should ensure balanced airflow, use gentle décor curation, and maintain soft neutrals.
2. North (N) – Money and Opportunities
The North zone is governed by the element Water. It is the primary zone for money, opportunities, and financial growth. This zone also influences the movement of tasks and travel opportunities, supporting networking and the completion of pending goals. - Supportive Colors: Blacks and deep blues. - Ideal Uses: Cash locker, sales desk. - Avoid/Caution: Heavy fire elements (like a stove) and toilets. - Remedies: Flowy curtains, whites, or light grey accents can support this zone.
3. North of North-East (NNE) – Health and Immunity
The NNE zone is a blend of the Water and Earth elements. Its primary influence is on health and immunity. - Supportive Colors: Light blue and white. - Ideal Uses: Water purifier, wellness corner. - Avoid/Caution: Heavy storage. - Remedies: Maintaining an open, clean space with light colors supports this zone’s energy.
4. North-East (NE) – Clarity and Spirituality
The NE zone is the most sensitive and vital area, governed by Water and Space elements. It is the zone of clarity, spirituality, and mental peace. - Supportive Colors: White and pale yellow. - Ideal Uses: Puja room, meditation area, clean openness. - Avoid/Caution: Toilets, kitchen, and clutter. Heavy furniture should be avoided here. - Remedies: Keeping this zone open and clean is the best remedy.
5. East of North-East (ENE) – Recreation and Fun
The ENE zone is governed by the Air element. It influences recreation, fun, and light-hearted activities. - Supportive Colors: Mint and sky blue. - Ideal Uses: Study for kids, play nook. - Avoid/Caution: Overly heavy furniture. - Remedies: Light décor and maintaining an airy feel support this zone.
6. East (E) – Social Ties and Networking
The East zone is governed by the Wood element. It influences social ties, networking, and communication. - Supportive Colors: Greens and teal. - Ideal Uses: Main door, windows, living area. - Avoid/Caution: Dark drapes blocking light. - Remedies: Allowing ample natural light and using green tones supports this zone.
7. East of South-East (ENE) – Churning and Anxiety
The ESE zone is a blend of Air and Fire elements. It governs the process of churning and can be associated with anxiety if not balanced. - Supportive Colors: Soft peach and cream. - Ideal Uses: Light activity zone. - Avoid/Caution: Harsh reds and mirrors facing the bed. - Remedies: Using soft colors and ensuring light activity in this area helps balance the energy.
8. South-East (SE) – Cash Flow and Fire
The SE zone is governed by the Fire element. It is crucial for cash flow and financial stability. This zone also governs electricals and heat. - Supportive Colors: Coral and red accents. - Ideal Uses: Kitchen, electrical panels. - Avoid/Caution: Water elements. - Remedies: Proper placement of the kitchen and electrical fixtures is essential. Red accents can be used carefully.
9. South of South-East (SSE)
This zone is a sub-division of the South direction. While specific details for this zone were not fully detailed in the provided chunks, it is part of the 16-zone system that influences the overall energy balance.
10. South (S) – Fame and Reputation
The South zone is governed by the Fire element. It influences fame, reputation, and strength. - Supportive Colors: Dark colors, reds. - Ideal Uses: Storage, heavy furniture. - Avoid/Caution: Open spaces or water elements. - Remedies: Keeping this zone heavy with furniture or storage supports its energy.
11. South of South-West (SSW)
This zone is a sub-division of the South-West direction. It contributes to the stability and grounding energy of the home.
12. South-West (SW) – Stability, Strength, and Relationships
The SW zone is governed by the Earth element. It is the heaviest and most grounding zone of the home. It influences foundation, long-term decisions, and family bonding. - Supportive Colors: Earthy tones like beige, brown, and yellow. - Ideal Uses: Master bedrooms, cabins to anchor authority and stability. - Remedies: Solid wood furniture, earthy colors, and low lighting support this zone. It is ideal for spaces that promote emotional grounding and strength.
13. West of South-West (WSW) – Skills, Knowledge, and Expansion
The WSW zone is governed by the Earth element. It influences skill mastery, personal growth, and learning. - Remedies: Libraries, study desks, and certification displays support this zone. Balanced WSW helps one upgrade knowledge and maintain focus.
14. West (W) – Gains and Profitability
The West zone is governed by a combination of Water and Earth elements. It governs gains in business, wealth, opportunities, and relationships, focusing on returns on investment and income consolidation. - Supportive Colors: Grey and beige palettes. - Remedies: Storage optimization and using grey-beige palettes support this zone.
15. West-North-West (WNW) – Desire and Motivation
The WNW zone is governed by the Air element. It influences drive, aspirations, and goal clarity. Misalignment here can lead to procrastination and restlessness. - Remedies: Decluttering frequently and adding motivational artwork or soft metallic finishes help balance this zone.
16. West-North-West (WNW) and North-West (NW)
The North-West (NW) zone is governed by the Air element. It influences support, movement, and networking. It supports the movement of tasks and travel opportunities. - Supportive Colors: Whites or light grey accents. - Remedies: Flowy curtains and light colors support this zone.
Integrating Vastu with Modern Design
Vastu is no longer about superstition or fear-based rules; it is a sophisticated understanding of how direction, element, and human psychology interact. Modern Vastu consultation often involves drafting, gridding, and surveying the structure to identify zone strengths, leakages, and misalignments with architectural accuracy. By integrating Vastu with luxury interior design and spatial planning, spaces can be made both aesthetically beautiful and energetically alive.
Conclusion
Understanding the 16 Vastu zones and their governing elements provides a comprehensive framework for creating harmonious living and working environments. By aligning these zones with appropriate colors and functional uses, individuals can support their aspirations for health, wealth, relationships, and personal growth. The key is to respect the natural flow of energy and make gentle, non-destructive adjustments that enhance the quality of life. Whether through simple color changes or more detailed spatial planning, the principles of Vastu offer a path toward balance and well-being.