The 9 Main Feng Shui Symbols and Their Meanings
If you’re interested in Feng Shui, then you’re going to have to read this article. Here, we’re going to take a look at the most popular symbols in the Feng Shui tradition. They are designed to, according to this philosophy, attract good energy into your home so that everything in your life flows in the best way.
The belief behind Feng Shui is to balance energies to ensure harmony, prosperity, luck, and wisdom, through different actions that include the use of its symbols. Read on to find out what they are!
These are the main Feng Shui symbols
As explained by David Daniel Kennedy, in his book Feng Shui for Dummies, there are two words to understand:
- The first is feng, which means “wind”.
- The second is shui, which means “water”.
Both elements circulate through the earth and satisfy the vital needs of human beings. They have, according to this philosophy, the same essence: the chi or vital force.
Thus, each of the symbols used in feng shui has a meaning and a raison d’être that would stimulate that vital force. Furthermore, depending on what’s expected or desired, they would have to be placed in certain places and in certain positions to enhance their supposed effect.
So, let’s take a closer look at some of these symbols, what they represent, and how to use them.
1. The money toad
As its name suggests, the money toad is directly related to fortune and prosperity in the economic sense. According to the principles of Feng Shui, this element represents nature and the moon, and attracts fortune and luck to the home or business where you have it.
The figure is very particular. It consists of a toad with only three legs that rest on a base full of coins, which symbolize the flow of wealth.
Where should you put it? It’s important to place it at the front door of the house, office, or business.
As for the position, it should be said that it will depend on what you want. If you want professional success, orient the money toad towards the north, but if you want to activate the economy, then place it towards the southeast.
2. The lucky cat
The lucky cat or maneki-neko is another of the main symbols of Feng Shui that is related to prosperity, fortune, and money. Therefore, it’s very common to find it at the main entrance of businesses or near the cash register.
The raised claw symbolizes an explicit call for money, while the cat scares away evil spirits that would threaten success, thanks to its ability to see at night.
When this symbol is placed in your home, it’s best to make sure that its raised claw faces southeast, to call forth wealth and protect the home from disease.
We think you may also enjoy reading this article: Feng Shui Ball: What Is It and How Can You Integrate It Into Your Decor?
3. The crane
In general, birds are considered good luck in Chinese culture. Cranes are considered the lucky bird in Feng Shui and are a symbol of nobility and longevity, love and loyalty, happiness, and health.
You can color it in a painting or porcelain, ideally a white animal. Also, make sure to place it in the southern part of the house. This is the way to attract wisdom and happiness.
4. Elephants
Another of the main symbols of Feng Shui is elephants, animals that are considered wise, strong, and prosperous. They symbolize good luck and reason, so their figure should be placed in a high area of the home. It’s common to see them in a kind of altar, above the fireplace.
In addition, there is another element that stands out in the elephants that are used in a home where this philosophy is practiced, and is that they must have the trunk pointing upwards because that is what they call fortune and good luck. Also, it’s necessary that the animal looks towards the door subtly, to let the good energies in and the negative ones out.
5. The wu-lou gourd
In Fengshui, the wu-lou (gourd) is a sacred symbol that is related to good health. It’s hollowed out, and in China, it’s also used to store food and medicine, as it’s shaped like a bottle.
The gourd is supposed to deal with the negative energy that in the home is represented as illness and bad luck. In other words, the amulet is believed to prevent illness and death, accidents, and misfortune. To achieve this, it’s used in different ways:
- The gourd is hung in the house or business.
- It’s worn on a bracelet.
- It’s also worn as a pendant.
6. Peonies
Peonies are beautiful flowers and are highly valued in Feng Shui. They have a very spiritual meaning related to abundance, wealth, good luck, and prosperity. They’re an icon of happiness, love, and femininity.
To take advantage of their potential, you should choose the most beautiful flowers you have access to, distribute them in several bouquets, and place them in each of the corners of the house, in a vase.
This is how you will attract love and it will arrive in a short time. Important tip: never let them wilt.
7. The ox
In feng shui, the ox has a meaning related to strength, success, and abundance, especially for business. This is an animal that is characterized by being very hardworking, so it’s highly revered for attracting family prosperity.
It’s necessary to place it in the southeast corner of the house or business. Likewise, this is an amulet that’s recommended to be given as a gift to newlyweds, recent graduates, or co-workers.
8. The koi fish
Another of the main symbols of feng shui is the koi fish, which is associated with good luck and prosperity.
Those who practice this philosophy can have an aquarium with nine fish or more in their homes, as long as it’s in multiples of nine. In addition, it’s important that at least one of the fish is black.
If you are one of those people who do not like aquariums, you can include this symbol through an image. To attract love and abundance, then prefer a portrait of two fish together.
Like this article? You may also like to read: Feng Shui and Aromatherapy to Balance the Energy of Your Home
9. The Lin chi
The lin chi is one of the main and most powerful symbols of feng shui. This is a figure that has the head of a dragon, the body of a horse, and the scaled skin of a carp fish.
It’s believed to attract protective energy, good health, and prosperity. It’s said to be very loyal and will protect the home against any negative energy and evil spirits.
It should be placed in the living room, office, or car. It’s also a great idea to give it as a gift for the inauguration of a new home or business.
Which of these main feng shui symbols do you like the most?
Feng shui has many more symbols, as well, but we’ve outlined some of the main and most important ones in this article.
If you’re getting into this oriental philosophy, now you know a little bit more about the objects and figures that you can introduce in your home, office, or business, to enhance your space’s chi and attract the best into your life.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Buzinde, C., Choi, Y., & Wang, A. Y. (2012). Tourism representations of Chinese cosmology: The case of Feng Shui tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(2), 975-996. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738311001812
- Kennedy, D. D. (2014). Feng Shui para Dummies. Grupo Planeta.
- Poulston, J., & Bennett, R. (2012). Fact, fiction, and feng shui: an exploratory study. Facilities. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02632771211194257/full/html
