Ten Feng Shui Symbols
Have you ever wondered why there is a statue of a cat with a beckoning paw on the counter at your local sushi restaurant? It isn’t just there because the owner loves cats and thought that the moving paw was humorous.
The owner has a specific goal in mind and is utilizing the method of Feng Shui to help achieve it. According to Feng Shui principles, both this cat statue and its placement within the establishment have specific meaning and purpose. The ancient art and science of Feng Shui gives you the tools to create balance and harmony in your surroundings.
One of the goals that is hopefully attained by applying this methodology is the promotion of harmony with nature by maximizing chi. Chi can be described as positive energy, and understandably this is something worth striving for. The second goal of applying the Feng Shui methodology is the promotion of prosperity, health and happiness.
In order to achieve these goals, one thing that can be utilized is the placement of specific Feng Shui symbols, such as the beckoning cat. There are many Feng Shui symbols with specific applications, and these can be purposefully placed throughout your home and workplace.
#1: The Smiling Buddha (or Laughing Buddha)
This statue is perhaps the most well-known Feng Shui symbol. The Smiling Buddha symbolizes both peace and happiness, as well as protection and good luck. According to legend, “Nothing would make Buddha happier than to see the troubles, the worries and the sadness of human beings turn into happiness”.
The Smiling Buddha brings happiness wherever he goes, thus, by placing it in your home or workplace, you are making an effort to attract peace and happiness into your life. It is very important to include this Feng Shui symbol of calming influence at home or at work as our lives are busy and hectic.
#2: Fu Dogs
These mythological figures were traditionally placed in front of Imperial palaces, temples and government offices. They mainly symbolize protection but also family wealth and social status. Furthermore, they are normally displayed as a male and female couple.
The male Fu Dog has a globe under his paw which signifies control over his domain and protection of his home. The female figure has a cub under her paw which symbolizes strong maternal instincts.
#3: Dragons
The dragon, another mythological figure and Feng Shui symbol, is a powerful symbol of strong male energy. The actual individual figure can vary in size, material, and colour, each of which is significant. Any dragon figurine will be utilized to bring support and nourishment, but a green dragon for instance will symbolize health, whereas a golden dragon will represent wealth and abundance.
These dragons need an open space to “fly” and therefore cannot be placed in small enclosed areas, or in a low-energy space such as a closet. There should not be more than five dragons in one home, nor should there be three placed together as this encourages them to interact playfully and the energy will be unproductive.
Because the dragon symbol is so powerful, there are other rules for its placement as well. For instance, dragons should not be placed somewhere higher than eye level, and they should never be put on the floor as they should not be walked on. Additionally, dragons should not face the wall nor should they be put in a restricted corner of the room.
#4: Horses
Figures or pictures of horses are typically placed in work spaces as they symbolize the energy of success, fame, freedom and speed. They can be placed strategically to attract success to your work life.
#5: Fish
Fish, and especially the Arrowana or Dragon Fish, symbolize abundance and prosperity. Healthy Feng Shui aquariums will attract this energy of wealth and abundance and will amplify it in any space thereby attracting more of the wealth chi.
#6: Chi Lin
This Feng Shui symbol is mythological as well. The Chi Lin has the head of a dragon, the body of a horse, and the scales of a carp fish. By incorporating three symbols in one it becomes very powerful. It symbolizes strong protective energy with blessings of good health and prosperity. Furthermore, it is very loyal to its owner and will protect the home from evil spirits.
#7: Flowers
Ever wonder why people bring flowers to a hospital visit? The beauty of flowers, as well as the flowers themselves, symbolize good luck and help to make a room feel happy and energetic. Because they possess positive energy they also have powerful healing qualities. Although photos of flowers will work, live flowers bring even more active, strong, healing energy.
#8: Money Frog
Another mythological Feng Shui symbol, the Money Frog is used to attract wealth and abundance. It has three legs and normally has some type of coin in its mouth as well as underneath it.
#9: The Four Celestial Creatures
These animals are guardians which represent our outer energy field (in specific directions) and symbolize protection. They are the Green Dragon, the Red Phoenix, the White Tiger and the Black Tortoise. The Green dragon protects us in the East direction, and the Red Phoenix protects us in the South direction.
The Black Tortoise protects us in the North direction and is the symbol of the highest protection because of its hard shell. The White Tiger protects us in the West direction and further represents courage as it is powerful, alert and always ready to respond.
#10: The Lucky Cat
Remember that cat figurine from the local sushi restaurant? It is the Lucky Cat, a Feng Shui Symbol and it is ideal for placing on the counter near the till. The beckoning paw represents approaching wealth and the figure itself will attract money, luck, prosperity and new opportunities. Also, because it is a cat, it can see in the dark and it will frighten away any evil spirits that have intentions toward your success.
One of the goals of Feng Shui is to promote the prosperity, health and happiness of a home or business; therefore, utilizing the placement of any of these symbolic figurines will be beneficial.
Knowing what each one symbolizes, and using it purposefully, will help to attract specific energy.
