7 Running Horses Wall Art: Vastu Feng Shui Prosperity Symbol

So I’ve been obsessing over this seven running horses thing for like the past month because three different clients asked about it and honestly I didn’t know much beyond “it’s supposed to bring prosperity” which felt kinda shallow? But now after hanging them in my own place and two client homes I actually get why people are so into this specific symbol.

Why Seven Horses Actually Matter in Vastu and Feng Shui

Okay so the seven horses represent the seven days of the week in Vastu, which I didn’t know until I went down this rabbit hole one night while my dog was snoring next to me. Each horse is supposed to carry positive energy forward into your life, and the number seven is considered super auspicious. In feng shui it’s slightly different—it’s more about forward movement and career advancement, which is why you see them in so many office spaces.

The direction they’re running matters SO much and nobody tells you this upfront. The horses need to be galloping INTO your space, not away from it. I made this mistake with my first purchase and had them facing the wrong way for like two weeks before my friend who’s really into this stuff came over and was like “um Sophia what are you doing.”

Placement Rules That Actually Make a Difference

The south wall is traditionally the best spot according to Vastu because south is associated with fame and recognition. But here’s where it gets interesting—in feng shui, you want them on the wall you see when you enter a room, which might not always be south. I’ve found the feng shui approach works better for apartments where you don’t have total control over layout.

Never ever put them in the bedroom. This one’s non-negotiable. The energy is too active and yang, it’ll mess with your sleep. I tried it once because a client insisted and she called me three days later saying she couldn’t sleep properly. Moved it to her living room and problem solved.

Best spots I’ve tested:

• Living room south wall – classic and it works
• Home office behind your desk – career boost is real, my income went up after I did this but correlation isn’t causation so who knows
• Entryway facing inward – welcoming prosperity as you enter
• Above the fireplace if it’s not the bedroom – creates a strong focal point

Avoid bathrooms, kitchens, or anywhere near a toilet. The water element conflicts with the fire energy of the horses and it just feels wrong aesthetically anyway.

Choosing the Right Artwork Style

There are like a million versions out there and honestly it’s overwhelming. I’ve narrowed it down to what actually looks good in real homes versus what just looks good on Amazon listings.

Traditional Paintings

The classic oil painting or acrylic on canvas look is what most people picture. Rich browns, blacks, whites for the horses with dramatic backgrounds—lots of reds, oranges, golds. These work in traditional or eclectic spaces but can look really out of place in minimalist homes. I learned this the hard way when I put a super ornate version in my friend’s Scandinavian-style apartment and it looked like someone’s grandma’s house suddenly.

Size matters here. For a standard living room you want at least 36 inches wide, otherwise it looks dinky. I usually go for 48×24 inches or larger.

Modern Interpretations

Oh and another thing—there are these gorgeous contemporary versions now that use metallic finishes, abstract forms, or monochromatic palettes. I found this incredible black and white version with gold accents that works in literally any modern space. The symbolism is the same but the aesthetic is way more versatile.

Metal wall sculptures are having a moment too. Three-dimensional horses cut from metal, sometimes with LED backlighting. They’re pricier but the visual impact is insane. Just installed one in a client’s office last month and everyone who visits asks about it.

Print vs Original

Gonna be real with you—most people can’t tell the difference once it’s on the wall, and high-quality prints are like one-tenth the price. I have an original in my studio that I paid way too much for, and a really good giclée print at home, and the print actually gets more compliments because the colors are more vibrant.

If you’re going the print route, make sure it’s on canvas and stretched over a proper frame, not just poster paper. The texture matters for the energy flow apparently, though I think it’s more about it not looking cheap.

Colors and What They Mean

The color palette isn’t just decorative, each color enhances different aspects according to both traditions.

White horses – purity, peace, spiritual growth. Good for meditation spaces or if you’re going through a major life transition.

Black horses – power, elegance, career success. These are super popular in offices and I see why, they command attention.

Brown horses – grounding, stability, earth energy. Best for family spaces or if your life feels chaotic.

Mixed colors – balanced energy across multiple life areas. This is what I have at home because I’m indecisive and want all the benefits lol.

The background color matters too. Red backgrounds amplify prosperity and passion but can be overwhelming in small spaces. Gold backgrounds are luxurious and wealth-focused. Blue or green backgrounds add calming water or wood elements which some practitioners say dilutes the fire energy, but I’ve seen it work beautifully in the right context.

Installation Tips Nobody Mentions

Okay so funny story, I hung my first seven horses piece directly above my couch and within a week I had this constant feeling of restlessness. Turns out you don’t want super active energy right where you’re trying to relax. Moved it to the opposite wall and the whole room felt better.

Height and Positioning

Eye level is standard gallery height—about 57-60 inches from the floor to the center of the artwork. But with horses specifically, I’ve found slightly higher works better, maybe 60-65 inches, because it creates this sense of the horses running above and forward, not at you.

Make sure they’re galloping left to right if you’re standing in the room, which represents forward progress. Right to left can symbolize going backward in some interpretations. I’ve tested both and honestly couldn’t tell an energy difference but psychologically it feels better to see them moving “forward.”

Lighting Considerations

This is gonna sound weird but lighting transforms these pieces completely. I always recommend either track lighting or picture lights to highlight the horses, especially in the evening. The play of light and shadow adds movement and makes the symbolism feel more alive.

Natural light is great but avoid direct sunlight that’ll fade the colors. I made this mistake—had a beautiful piece in a west-facing window and six months later the reds were basically pink.

Combining with Other Décor Elements

The horses shouldn’t just float on your wall randomly. I’ve learned to integrate them with other décor for maximum impact without it looking like a theme park.

Plants work surprisingly well, especially tall ones like fiddle leaf figs or snake plants placed nearby. The wood element supports the fire element of the horses in feng shui theory. Plus it just looks good—the organic shapes contrast nicely with the dynamic horse forms.

Avoid placing them near too much water imagery though. No aquariums directly below, no beach photos on adjacent walls. Fire and water clash and the whole energy gets muddled. I had a client who insisted on keeping her fountain nearby and the space just felt off until we moved one or the other.

Metallic accents in gold, bronze, or copper amplify the prosperity aspect. I often style the space below with brass candleholders or a gold-framed mirror on a console table.

What to Avoid – Mistakes I’ve Made

Don’t buy the super cheap versions from random websites. I ordered one once that looked amazing online and it arrived printed on what was basically thick paper, already warping. You could see the pixelation from across the room. Waste of money.

Skip the ones where the horses look sad or struggling. This sounds obvious but I’ve seen artwork where the horses look stressed or the composition is chaotic and anxious. The energy should be powerful but positive, not frantic.

Never hang them facing a door where they’d be “running out” of your space. I see this mistake constantly. The horses should never have a clear exit path in their line of movement.

Also don’t go overboard with the symbolism thing. I had a client who wanted horses in every room and it was just too much. One powerful piece is way more effective than multiple mediocre ones scattered everywhere.

Where to Actually Buy Good Ones

After trying like fifteen different sources, here’s what I recommend:

Etsy has incredible options from independent artists, especially if you want something custom-sized or unique. I’ve commissioned three pieces from sellers there and the quality was consistently good. Just read reviews carefully and ask for dimensions in writing.

Wayfair and Overstock have decent mid-range options. The photos are usually accurate and returns are easy if it doesn’t work out. I’ve furnished multiple client spaces with pieces from both.

Local art galleries sometimes carry them, especially in areas with large Asian communities. The quality is usually higher but so is the price. Worth it if you want an investment piece.

For metal sculptures, I’ve had good luck with Houzz and specialized home décor boutiques. These are statement pieces so I think it’s worth spending more.

Skip Amazon unless you’re very careful about seller ratings. The quality variance is massive and I’ve been burned too many times by misleading photos.

Price Ranges to Expect

Prints on canvas: $50-$200 depending on size
Hand-painted reproductions: $200-$500
Original paintings: $500-$2000+
Metal wall sculptures: $300-$1000+

I think the sweet spot is around $150-$300 for most people. You get good quality without breaking the bank, and if you decide later it’s not your thing, you’re not out a huge investment.

Maintaining the Energy

Wait I forgot to mention—you’re supposed to keep the area around the horses clean and uncluttered. Dust accumulation supposedly blocks the energy flow, but practically speaking, dusty art just looks neglected anyway.

Some practitioners recommend “activating” the horses periodically by lighting incense nearby or wiping them down with intention during new moons. I’m not super woo-woo about it but I do make a point to clean mine monthly and it keeps me connected to why I chose the piece.

If the artwork gets damaged, replace it. Torn canvas or broken frames are considered inauspicious and honestly they just look bad. This isn’t an area to keep something that’s falling apart.

The horses have been up in my office for eight months now and whether it’s placebo or actual energy work, my business has grown steadily since then. My client who put them in her startup’s office just closed a major funding round. Coincidence? Maybe. But I’m keeping mine exactly where they are just in case.