8 Lucky Charms to Bring Prosperity in your Homes this 2015

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Is your home prepared for Chinese New Year? Aside from the festivities and food preparations, this is also a time to revitalize the energy in our homes. One way of doing it is placing Chinese lucky charms that many believe will attract success, wealth, and more.

Binondo, known as the oldest Chinatown in the world, is a rich source of lucky charms. Whether you want to attract more positive energy in your home or hope for a more prosperous life, there are many charms you can choose from.

Here are popular lucky charms you can put in your homes this Chinese New Year:

1. Laughing Buddha statue

Laughter is the best medicine. And what better way to attract positive vibes in your home than with a figurine of the laughing Buddha? Depicted as a bald man wearing a robe with his big stomach exposed, it is widely used to attract happiness, wealth, good luck, success, and just about anything good.

2. Bottle Gourd

Traditionally used to carry medicines and wines, a bottle gourd or calabash (húlu) is a popular charm to ward off diseases and evil spirits. It also has several positive associations because in other local dialects, its first character (hú) has the same pronunciation with “fu” which means happiness or good fortune. Moreover, the gourd’s shape resembles the number eight (8), which is considered the lucky number for the Chinese.

3. Lettuce figurine

Called “shēng cài,” lettuce (or cabbage) is seen as a symbol for prosperity by many Chinese people. This is because it is also pronounced as the word money or wealth. They believe this will attract good fortune.

4. Money tree

Who says money doesn’t grow on trees? According to Chinese legend, there was a tree that when shaken, causing coins to fall on the ground. This tale combined with the Chinese’s strong belief in charms made them replicate this image into money tree figurines. Having this inside your home is believed to attract good fortune to the owner.

5. Bamboo plant

Bamboo plants are said to attract happiness, good health, love, or money. The number of bamboo stalks you’ll place in your home will depend on what part of your life you wish to be successful. But remember to avoid keeping a bamboo plant that has only four stalks since the number four sounds similar to that of the word used for death.

Aside for good luck, HR executive and young homeowner Abbey Marfil, who has bamboo plants in her home, says it also symbolizes life and is easy to maintain.

A house is kept alive by hanging plants around the house. And though it does not need a lot of water nor sunlight, they last for a long time. Furthermore, bamboo plants are also very neat because they do not need to be trimmed or decorated.

6. Ruyi

The ruyi is seen by the Chinese as a representation of authority and power. According to Jean of Jeanch Dragon, a shop that sells charms and amulets in Binondo, it is the Chinese term for smooth sailing and is used by the emperors before as a lucky charm. Thus, this is perfect for homeowners that have their own businesses.

7. Prosperity tree

As the name suggests, the prosperity tree is believed to bring good fortune to anyone who has it in their home or office. These are often made of tangerines or oranges, which are associated with luck and gold, respectively.

8. Wooden Sheep figurine

It’s the year of the wooden sheep (also referred as the year of the goat), after all. A symbol of gentleness and calmness, putting a sheep in your home is believed to create a more peaceful home and to bring wealth.