The ‘Holi’ festival has a cultural significance among various Hindu traditions of the Indian subcontinent. It is the festive day to end and rid oneself of past errors, to end conflicts by meeting others, a day to forget and forgive. It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of ‘Holika’. The night before ‘Holi’, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known as ‘Holika Dahan’ (burning of ‘Holika’), People gather near fires, sing and dance. The next day, ‘Holi’, also known as ‘Dhuli’ in Sanskrit, or ‘Dhulheti’, ‘Dhulandi’ or ‘Dhulendi’, is celebrated. Children and youth spray colored powder solutions (Gulaal) at each other, laugh and celebrate, while adults smear dry colored powder (Abir) on each other’s faces. Visitors to homes are first teased with colors, then served with Holi delicacies (such as Puranpoli, Dahi-bada and Gujia), desserts and drinks. After playing with colors, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, and visit friends and family.

Do you know each color used in Holi holds a significance as per ‘Vastu Shastra’? 

Color Energy:                        

According to the ancient Indian architecture science of ‘Vastu Shastra’, the energy emanated through colors is such that it has the potential to make a person’s life colorful with seven radiant colors. There are some universal principles that apply to all colors. Just as everything in this world is made up of the Five basic Elements of Nature (‘Panchbhootas’) the Fire, Earth, Water, Air and Space, all colors are primarily the shades of colors of these basic Five Elements.

According to ‘Vastu’, the world of colors is unique and influences each action of our lives. While some colors make you want to get out of your chair and do something, others make you lethargic and want you to nestle down and relax. Some colors are so vibrant and articulate that they speak to you, while some are very quiet and peaceful. There are also colors which motivate, inspire or influence you in a positive way, whereas there are others that create negative feelings in you. There are also some colors that emanate the desire for closeness, intimacy and love.

Yellow Color:                         

As per Vastu Green and Yellow create a sense of peace and well-being, and if you are playing ‘Holi’ with these colors, especially in the South-West ‘Vastu’ Zone, (the zone of relationships and skills) they foster interesting and open conversations between family and friends and can dispel loneliness and depression. 

Grey/ Tones of Blue & Light Red Colors:                      

According to the Vastu Shastra, there are colors with a sense of sharpness, wittiness, uniqueness, and intelligence, which are the inherent qualities. Use of these colors primarily in West ‘Vastu’ Zone/Direction can command respect without being overbearing. These colors are also recommended for creative studies, libraries and art galleries. Grey, shades/tones of blue and a few lighter shades of red fall in this category, as they facilitate the optimal performance from a relaxed mind.

Red/Purple/Light Orange Colors:                          

There are also colors that are romantic in nature, such as red, which according to Vastu is the cooler of love. So, if you play Holi with these colors in the North-North-West ‘Vastu’ Zone, or facing towards the North-North-West Zone, an intense relationship develops between you and others. Pink, purple and light orange coolers also fall in the category of romantic colors. 

Green/Brown & Earth Colors:                  

There are colors that impart a very refreshing and rejuvenating feeling in oneself. These colors include all the different shades of green, brown and other shades of warm earth coolers. When applied in the North-North-East Zone, (the ‘Vastu’ Zone of Healing), these colors facilitate better healing and immunity. So, all those, who love to play Holi with these colors should prefer playing it in the North-North-East ‘Vastu’ Zone of their homes or offices.

Therefore, celebrate and enjoy Holi this year in the Vastu way, to bring home more love, money, happiness, and prosperity, as well as learn about the positive and negative impacts of each color in your life.

As per Vastu and Feng Shui, the symbol of the elephant brings energies of beauty, silent power, kindness, and majesty. Though elephants are the largest and one of the strongest land animals living on our planet today while their energy feels invariably kind and wise. An elephant symbol is easy to use and can offer many different benefits throughout the home, office or business. A pair of elephants energize certain living spaces for good luck.

Protection, good luck, wisdom, and fertility are believed to be the main energies brought by the symbol of the elephant into any living space, be it home or office/business. The direction of an elephant’s trunk has a complex symbol of its own, and this is the detail one should always pay attention when choosing the elephant symbol as a suggested cure along with its colors and material used.

An elephant’s trunk is equally very sensitive and very strong and is used for a variety of purposes, from drinking to picking up food to greeting friends or warding off enemies. In most of our suggested applications, the elephants are usually depicted with the trunk up, symbolizing the showering of good luck and blessings. If you want to use the elephant symbol, for example, as a token of friendship and love, then look for intertwined trunks.

There are numerous elephant motifs in home decor, such as ceramic elephant statues, elephant toys, colorful elephant embroideries, and stunning photos of elephants in the wild. These and any other elephant images or symbols can be used for enhancing the energy level as per requirement. 

Nine ways the elephant energy can be used in a Home/Office:

1. Bringing Good Luck into the Home:         Elephants are considered a symbol of good luck for many reasons, most of them tracing their origin to many ancient folklores, place a statue of an elephant, or a pair of elephants, at the front door facing inward to signal good luck and blessings entering the home. The elephants should have their trunks facing upwards which allows the lucky energy to be dispersed throughout your home or office and also to represent prosperity, good luck, and success.

2. Protection:         Because of its strength and physical power, the elephant also represents protection and stability. You might have often seen a pair of elephants at the entrance of many Asian buildings, such as temples and businesses. Elephants impart a sense of respect and humility, and this does not take away from their strength or power.

               To make use of elephants’ protective powers, you can place a couple of elephants at your home’s main entrance or even an elephant pair on a side table can work very well. If you have children, it is wonderful to make use of the protective powers of the elephant energy in their room decor. It can be done in a variety of ways; from elephant art prints or wallpapers to toys or figurines. Place an elephant or pair of elephants facing outward to protect the home to prevent the loss of ‘Prana’ energy from the home.

3. Promote Love and Fidelity:          A pair of elephants is commonly used in the bedroom or in the Love & Marriage area to activate a strong love relationship and faithfulness between couples. You should understand the mating pattern of the animal and decide whether you want to replicate this in your life and your love relationship. Placing them in South-West corner of the bedroom enhances love relationship.

4. Bonding between Mother and Child:       Elephant images and figurines depicting a mother elephant and her baby symbolize the strong bond between and mother and child. This is a nurturing symbol to be placed in your home’s family area. You might also place this maternal symbol in the parents’ or child’s bedroom to strengthen their bond.

5. Fertility:               One of the most popular uses of the elephant is fertility cure. When used for this specific purpose, choose an elephant with the trunk down. There are several explanations as to why the trunk down is beneficial for this specific application. One of them is that an elephant with its trunk down can store and accumulate energy. Another is that an elephant with its trunk down is prepared to push through various obstacles, so it makes sense that this symbol would be used for a couple seeking a fertility cure.  You may place an elephant statue besides the bed or place a pair, one on either side of the bedroom door, to welcome in ‘infant’ energy.

6. Knowledge, Wisdom and Academic Success:       The elephant is considered one of the sacred animals in Buddhism and is often depicted in Indian mythology. This symbol can be used in your child’s study or your home office, as well as in the living room, to activate the energy of study and curiosity. Most of all, elephants emit an energy of kindness and strength, and there is no home that cannot benefit from this beautiful energy. You may also place a statue in your child’s bedroom, on his or her desk, or wherever he/she does homework.

7. Energize the Career Area:             Place an elephant at or near the door of your office to promote power, wisdom, and success in your work life. If you have a small home office or work space, you can also place an elephant near the door or entrance to the space.

8. Work Success:   Place an elephant near the front door or the door of the office to attract power and to protect the person from bad energy in the office.

9. Good Management:       Place an elephant on your work desk or work surface or on a shelf facing out to symbolize wisdom, intelligent leadership, poise under pressure, and cautiousness.

After exploring the elephant energy, take a moment to feel your own understanding and association of this powerful energy. It symbolizes Protection! Strength! Wisdom! Good Luck! Kindness!! See which meaning has the strongest connection for you and let this determine how you invite this beautiful energy into your home.

In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and uncertainty often cloud our daily lives, the quest for inner peace and balance has never been more paramount. Amidst the chaos, we often overlook the profound impact our surroundings have on our well-being. Enter Vastu Shastra—the ancient Indian science of architecture and design—offering a holistic approach to harmonizing spaces and fostering harmony between individuals and their environments.

Vastu, derived from the Sanskrit word “Vas” meaning dwelling, advocates for the alignment of physical spaces with the natural elements and cosmic energies. At its core, Vastu emphasizes the interconnectedness between humans and the universe, recognizing that our homes and workplaces serve as extensions of ourselves.

Incorporating Vastu principles into our daily lives can yield profound benefits, enhancing not only the aesthetic appeal of our surroundings but also promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Here’s why Vastu is increasingly relevant in today’s context:

Promoting Balance and Harmony: By aligning architectural layouts, furniture placements, and even color schemes with Vastu guidelines, we create spaces that resonate with positive energies, fostering a sense of balance and harmony in our lives. Enhancing Productivity and Success: Vastu-compliant spaces are believed to enhance productivity, creativity, and overall success. From optimizing workstations to ensuring free flow of energy, Vastu empowers individuals to unlock their fullest potential. Supporting Health and Well-being: Vastu emphasizes the importance of natural light, ventilation, and proper space utilization, creating environments conducive to physical health and mental well-being. By incorporating Vastu recommendations, we can mitigate stress and promote a sense of serenity within our homes and workplaces. Cultivating Positive Relationships: Our living and working environments significantly influence our interpersonal dynamics. Vastu principles aim to create spaces that nurture positive relationships, fostering communication, understanding, and mutual respect among inhabitants. Embracing Sustainability: In an era of environmental consciousness, Vastu advocates for sustainable design practices that honor the natural elements. From eco-friendly materials to energy-efficient layouts, Vastu encourages us to tread lightly on the planet while creating spaces that support sustainable living. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, embracing Vastu offers a pathway to reconnect with the innate harmony of the universe. By consciously aligning our spaces with Vastu principles, we can cultivate environments that nurture our holistic well-being, allowing us to thrive amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. Let us embark on this journey of transformation, creating spaces that not only reflect our values but also uplift our spirits and enrich our lives.