In wealth vastu, the north is the direction traditionally linked with prosperity and opportunity. The guidance is simple: keep the north of your home or office open, light, clean and uncluttered, and place there the things connected with flow and planning, such as water, greenery, a tidy desk and your financial paperwork.
Dr S Pujah works online with clients in Abu Dhabi, and in person in Dubai.
Why the north is called the wealth corner
Vastu is a traditional Indian approach to arranging buildings according to the eight directions. Each direction carries its own symbolism, and the north has long been associated with Kubera, the figure regarded in that tradition as the keeper of wealth. The planet Mercury, linked with trade, communication and calculation, is also assigned to the north.
I describe this as symbolism on purpose. Vastu does not put money in a bank account, and I would never promise that it does. What it offers is a thoughtful way of organising a space so that the part of your home tied to earning, planning and opportunity receives regular attention. When you look after your north zone, you are also practising the habit of looking after your finances with the same care, and the room becomes a daily reminder of that intention.
How to find the north of your home
Before moving a single object, locate the direction properly. Guessing from the sunrise is rarely accurate enough, especially in apartment towers where the building sits at an angle to the street.
- Stand as close to the centre of your home as you can, away from large metal objects and appliances.
- Use a compass, or the compass on your phone held flat, and note where north falls.
- Mark it lightly on a floor plan. The north zone is the central stretch of the northern side, between the north-east and north-west corners.
- Repeat the reading in two or three spots to confirm it is consistent.
Many Dubai apartments are not aligned neatly to the compass, so the north may fall across a corner of a room rather than along a wall. That is perfectly normal. Work with the zone you have.
What to put in the north
The guiding idea for this direction is lightness and movement. Tradition favours things that are open, fresh, reflective or growing.
- Open floor space. The most important "item" is emptiness. A north that you can walk through freely is preferred over one filled with beautiful furniture.
- Natural light. Keep north-facing windows clean and their coverings easy to open. Sheer curtains are better than heavy drapes.
- Water. A small bowl of fresh water, a modest tabletop fountain or an aquarium is traditionally placed toward the north or north-east. Whatever you choose, keep the water clean and moving. Stagnant water defeats the purpose.
- Healthy plants. Upright, leafy green plants suit this zone. Remove dry leaves promptly and replace any plant that is struggling.
- A mirror. A clean mirror on the north wall is a traditional choice, provided it reflects something pleasant and not a cluttered corner or a bathroom door.
- Your work and planning desk. A study table, home office or the place where you review accounts fits the Mercury symbolism well. Many people like to sit facing north while they work.
- Soft colours. Greens, light blues and off-whites are the shades associated with this direction.
You do not need all of these. One or two, chosen well and kept in good condition, is the spirit of the practice.
What to keep out of the north
Just as the tradition names what belongs here, it is equally clear about what weighs the zone down.
- Clutter and storage. Stacked boxes, unused suitcases and the cupboard nobody opens are better moved to the south or west of the home.
- Heavy furniture. Tall wardrobes and bulky cabinets are traditionally kept in the south-west, leaving the north lower and lighter.
- Shoe racks and bins. If your layout forces them here, keep them closed, clean and emptied often.
- Broken or stopped objects. A clock that no longer runs, a cracked mirror or a dripping tap all sit awkwardly in a zone about flow. Repair or remove them.
- Strong reds and fire elements. Stoves and deep red decor belong, in this system, to the south-east. In the north they are considered a mismatch.
If a bathroom or kitchen already sits in your north, do not panic and do not start breaking walls. Keep the room spotless, the door closed and the area well ventilated, and consider a personal consultation for options that suit your particular plan.
Where the safe and valuables go
This is a very common question, and the traditional answer surprises people. The locker itself is usually placed in the south or south-west part of a room, against a solid wall, so that its door opens toward the north. In other words, the heavy object sits in the heavy zone and faces the direction associated with Kubera.
The practical habits around it matter as much as the placement:
- Keep the safe, drawer or folder clean and orderly inside.
- Store important documents flat and labelled, not crumpled among old receipts.
- Avoid placing it directly under a beam, beside a bathroom wall or facing a door that is always open.
- Open it with attention, not in a rush.
Applying wealth vastu in an apartment or office
Many people in the UAE live in rented apartments or work in leased offices where structural change is impossible. Wealth vastu can still be practised at a smaller scale, because the same principle can be applied to a single room.
In a living room, clear the northern wall and let that be the lightest side. In a home office, set the desk so that you face north or east, with a solid wall behind you. On the desk itself, keep the northern edge free of piles and place a small plant or a glass of fresh water there.
In a business premises, the north is a fitting zone for the accounts team, the sales desk or the reception where enquiries arrive. Keep that entrance well lit, the signage clean and the floor clear of deliveries waiting to be unpacked.
A weekly routine for the north zone
Placement is the first step. Upkeep is what makes the practice meaningful. I suggest ten minutes once a week:
- Open the north windows and let in fresh air.
- Dust surfaces and wipe the mirror.
- Change the water and tend the plants.
- Remove anything that has drifted into the zone during the week.
- Sit at your desk and spend five minutes reviewing your income, spending and plans.
That last step is where the symbolism meets real life. A cared-for north corner is, above all, a standing appointment with your own finances.
Your next step
If you live or work in Abu Dhabi, Dr S Pujah can look at your floor plan with you online; in-person sessions are in Dubai.
General principles take you a long way, yet every floor plan has its quirks: a slanted building, a bathroom in the wrong place, an entrance that complicates everything. If you would like your own home or office looked at properly, you can book a personal vastu consultation for your property and we will go through your layout direction by direction.