“Place a three-legged toad near the front door and money will pour in.” Have you ever heard or read something similar?
Honestly, if I didn’t know anything about feng shui and if someone told me, I’d dismiss feng shui as magic or superstition (it’s not). And if it really worked like that, wouldn’t everyone be rich as promised?
Reading: Feng shui products and meanings
Sadly, that’s what you’ll sometimes hear when merchants try to sell you feng shui items. they make it look like this thing can change your life if you put it somewhere in your house. of course, if it doesn’t work, they’ll tell you that you probably lost it. no refunds!
However, there are feng shui articles whose results have been vouched for by customers. Although it could be the placebo effect, feng shui experts have also recommended some of these items as cures and enhancers.
While I doubt the validity of some of those claims, I’m not here to refute them.
Instead, I have compiled them together in this article. the elements included here are completely subjective, and I have not included other elements such as dolphins, cranes, love birds and globes that you will find on other websites. that’s because I don’t think those items belong in feng shui.
As for how you should use them, you should consult with your trusted feng shui expert.
Also, I’m here to be more specific and offer you some of my observations and opinions. Toward the end, I’ll tell you what to expect from these feng shui items if you decide to use them without expert guidance.
so here are the 30 feng shui items and products that I know of that you can buy and use right away if you want. I will also tell you what they are used for and where you should place them.
Let’s start with feng shui animals.
feng shui animals
These feng shui items come in the form of animals or beasts. I am sure you have read somewhere that placing them in some areas can help you in a certain way. however, I have my doubts about how effective they are.
Although I have great doubts about some of the information below, I’m not saying they don’t work as promised. I just think its effects are limited. I believe that the external feng shui, the internal design of the house, the flow of qi and movements such as those caused by water sources have much more impact than these feng shui elements.
However, you may be comparing apples to oranges, as some of these items are used more as a cure than a buff.
1. dragon
In addition to all other sources you can find on the web, here are some additional information that I’ve heard.
The dragon is one of the main animals (or mythical beasts) in feng shui. it is one of the four celestial animals and was traditionally a symbol of the emperor. it is also a metaphor for a strong and powerful man (whereas the phoenix is the symbol of the empress).
In Feng Shui, the dragon is represented in the East and the left side of the house if you’re looking from the inside.
The dragon can be used to increase qi in an area of your home. for example, if the east area is missing or lacking, placing a dragon there is said to help. furthermore, if the left side of your house is lower than the right side, placing a dragon on the left is said to help as well. wood is the preferred material for this use.
The dragon should be placed in the living room, dining room, home office, and not in low-energy areas such as the garage, bathroom, or closets. the dragon material must be used in accordance with the five elements determined by the location of the room on the bagua.
here’s another note. the dragon is said to favor water. so if you live near water, like a river or ocean, you can position the dragon so that it faces bodies of water through the window. the water must be clean and not a gutter or a water recycling plant.
The dragon can also be used to attract wealth. however, not all of us are fit for this. you should consult an expert to find out if a dragon wealth build is right for you.
2. turtle
The tortoise, being one of the four celestial animals, represents North or the back side of your home. It symbolizes longevity, support, and protection, similar to the animal’s life-span and how the shell protects the turtle.
Some experts use a stone turtle to cure negative feng shui energy coming from outside the house. it can be placed on your balcony or around your front door with the cover facing the incoming xa qi (negative energy).
another use is to place it in the back of your house. this is applicable only when the back of your house is sloping down or missing the “support” (similar to bedroom feng shui when the bed has no headboard). in this case, the turtle can be made of stone or bronze in this case.
3. dragon turtle
The dragon turtle is a hybrid of the two celestial animals: the dragon and the turtle. The dragon is said to bring good fortune, while the turtle is said to cure bad Feng Shui energies.
To be more specific, the dragon turtle is used to improve social relationships and avoid unnecessary drama. The dragon tortoise can also help with career advancements and is especially useful for those who work in the fields of public relations, sales, and other jobs that require a lot of socializing. To use the dragon turtle for these purposes, place it on your office desk with its head facing out.
Today, most dragon turtle figurines sit on top of coins, symbolizing its ability to attract wealth. To use it for wealth, people place the dragon turtle on their wealth areas with its head facing themselves.
Experts have mentioned that the dragon turtle can also neutralize the negative energy of annual flying stars, particularly stars #2 and #5. Furthermore, others have mentioned that it can cure bad feng shui caused by two facing doors. To use it, simply place it somewhere between those two doors, whether it’s the doors of two bedrooms within one house, or the two front doors of two different houses.
4. lions (fu dogs)
Fu Dogs, also spelled Foo Dogs, are lions. Sometimes, they are referred to as Imperial Guard Lions or Chinese Guardian Lions. That’s because in ancient times, only those with wealth and power have the land and money to place Fu Dogs. That is why you only see them in front of temples, government buildings, or homes of wealthy and powerful families.
Fu dogs come in pairs: a male and a female. the male fu dog holds a globe under his right paw, symbolizing dominance and protection of his home. the female holds a pup under her left paw, signifying maternal protective instinct.
Fu dogs are mostly used outdoors as if guarding the main entrance to an important place. its majestic presence often gives pause to anyone about to enter.
fu dogs should be placed just outside the front door. the female fu bitch should be placed on the left and the male on the right when looking from the outside towards the front door.
5. chinese unicorn (qi lin)
Chinese Unicorns (Qi Lin or Chi Lin) has a head of a dragon, scales of a carp fish, and hooves resembling a deer. It’s said that Qi Lin can distinguish between good and evil, and thus are mostly used for protection from evil spirits.
qi lin can be used as a cure for the three kills in annual flying star feng shui. Furthermore, Qi Lin with treasures at their feet and coins in their mouths are said to have the ability to attract wealth. to use it as wealth, simply place it in your wealth area facing the place where you frequent.
6. three-legged toad
The three-legged toad has become a symbolism of wealth in Feng Shui ever since the story of Liu Hai, where legends say that it can bring massive amounts of wealth to its holder.
A common practice today is to place the toad in the wealth or corner area but not on the ground. It is also suggested that you should place it somewhere near the front door so that it can bring you wealth from outside. however, it is suggested not to place the toad directly in front of the door because the incoming qi from the front door would be too strong.
As for the direction the toad should face, some experts say the frog should face the inside of the house, while others say the frog should face the front door. from how i read this it sounds like the toad should face the front door if applicable. in other cases, such as placing the toad in a wealth area away from the front door, it should face the interior of the house.
7. elephants
Elephants do not exist in China in modern-times, which is why the use of elephants is not popular in modern-day Feng Shui in China.
However, you can still see its use, especially in Southeast Asia. a more common application is to place a pair of elephants in front of the front door (as opposed to fu dogs). some experts say that doing so can bring good luck, protection, and strength to the home.
8. horses
Horses were vital to our ancestors. They were used for transport, war, and travel. Therefore, some meanings associated with horses include success, wealth, strength, speed, and nobility.
The most suggested feng shui use for horses is to place them in your wealth area, which can help enhance career and wealth accumulation. The horses’ heads should face the interior of the house, which symbolizes that the horses bring wealth to the house.
See also: Feng shui black obsidian wealth bracelet does it work
However, not all figures (or paintings) of horses are the same. the best should be five horses running forward (rather than one stalled). paintings or sculptures of eight horses are also quite popular.
Furthermore, not everyone is apt to use horses as a feng shui element. For example, those born in the year of the Dragon, Rat, and Horse should not wear horse figurines due to a conflict in their animal birth sign.
9. rooster
The rooster may be the same as the Rooster King mentioned below (I am not sure, but their uses seem to differ). The rooster has a literal use. The figurine can be used to counter the “Centipede Xa”, symbolizing the rooster devouring the centipede. The “Centipede Xa” comes from power lines or pipes, resembling a centipede, that are visible from your kid’s bedroom (if you have kids) or kitchen window. To cure the Xa, place the rooster figurine facing towards the “centipede” as a cure for this negative Feng Shui energy.
The rooster can also be used to cut off bad romances or relationships that you can’t break. the suggested application is to place the rooster in the front door area with its head facing the door.
A third use is to prevent extramarital affairs. If you are worried about your partner having affairs, the suggested practice is to place the rooster in your peach blossom area in the living room or bedroom. Check out this article on feng shui love to find the peach blossom area.
10. the rooster king
The Rooster King could very well be the same Rooster as mentioned above (I am not sure about this). Nevertheless, here are some additional information not found in other sources about the Rooster.
The king rooster represents a bird that can drive away threatening beasts and fight against evil spirits. It first appeared during the reign of the Yao Emperor, where man-eating tigers and bewitching spirits roamed the forests. the rooster king was brought to the emperor as a means to protect the citizens from him.
The king rooster is used as an amulet or as a statue to protect the home. it should be placed outside, facing incoming traffic. here is an article specifically about the rooster king story written by uncle dixer.
11. mandarin ducks
Mandarin ducks for Feng Shui come in pairs and represents love. They can come in figurines and in drawings, pictures, and paintings.
Mandarin ducks are commonly used as a feng shui cure for love. It helps to unite two lovers when they are separated by distance or when they have other obstacles that prevent them from being together.
mandarin ducks can be placed in the love and marriage area of your bagua, or in the southwest area of your home. another common practice is to place them in the bedroom.
12. pi xiu (pi yao)
The Pi Xiu, also called Pi Yao, is a heavenly creature that resembles a winged lion. Its story is that it violated a law of the heaven and was punished by being restricted to a diet of only gold and silver with no means of expelling them as its anus was sealed. That is why Pi Xiu symbolizes wealth accumulation.
This symbol of wealth is commonly displayed in offices and wealth areas based on your kua and your home bagua.
however, pi xiu is more commonly used as a cure for the annual flying star tai sui (grand duke) because it is known as the mascot of tai sui. to use it as a tai sui cure, you must place it in the opposite direction of the tai sui.
for example, in 2017 tai sui is in the west. placing the pi xiu in the east sector facing west would do the job. if the east sector is not applicable (if a bathroom dominates that sector), placing it in the west area facing west would also suffice.
Other experts have said that a pi xiu metal can be used as a cure for disease star #2 and misfortune star #5. again, you’ll need to figure out where those stars are that year.
instruments and artifacts
these are the other elements that have symbolic meanings and uses in feng shui. again, I have my doubts about how effective they are. I think they have their uses, but the impact is limited compared to the surrounding feng shui and internal design of your home.
13. coins of the five Chinese emperors
These are the coins made by five emperors of China during the Qing Dynasty. The emperors are Sun Zhi (1644-1661), Kang Xi (1661-1722), Yong Zhen (1723-1735), Qian Long (1736-1796) and Jia Qing (1796-1820).
Coins made and used during the reign of these emperors are highly revered because they were the times when China was most prosperous.
Some experts say that only real coins made during that era can be used as feng shui cures. if that’s true (and it most likely is), many of the five emperor coins you see on the market today are worthless because they’re just replicas or “fakes”.
Coins are said to have many different kinds of uses. to mention a few, they can attract wealth, serve as a protection amulet, block negative qi and serve as a support for the house. I suggest you consult with an expert on what is the best use of these currencies in your particular situation.
14. wind chimes
Wind chimes are very popular among Feng Shui. The source of its energy comes from the sound they make, which can enhance the Qi of a specific area. In other words, if the wind chimes are stagnant, then it’s simply a home decor that has little use in Feng Shui.
The materials of the wind chimes should be determined by the five elements of the bagua sector that you wish to place. at the same time, you should also consider the five elements based on their annual kua and flying star afflictions.
Using the bagua, wind chimes made of brass and metal are ideal for the Northwest and West if that sector is missing or lacking. the same applies to bamboo or wooden chimes for the eastern and southeastern areas because those sectors are not suitable for wind chimes made of metal. it is said that the energy that wooden bells bring is less compared to their metal counterpart because the sound they make is less crisp.
Please note that wind chimes are not suitable for indoor locations. Also, avoid placing wind chimes on the “ghost line” of your home because it can bring problems and unintended consequences.
15. bronze bells
Similar to bronze wind chimes, the Feng Shui energy of bronze bells come from its sound. It is used to enhance the Qi in an area, and its effects will be greatly reduced if it is hung in an area where its sound cannot be produced.
Usually the brass bell is hung in the front door area. doing so is said to attract wealth, block negative qi, and repel unwanted energies. bells can also be placed in the northwest and west corners because all five elements in that area belong to metal.
make sure you like the sound it makes, or else it will bring you more xa qi (negative qi) than benefits.
16. bagua mirror
Most people probably know this already. The Bagua mirror should be placed on the wall on top of the front door, facing outwards. Its biggest use is to block the negative energy from coming into the house. However, I strongly suggest that you consult an expert before using one.
There are many types of bagua mirror. First, the shape of mirrors can be concave, convex, and flat. furthermore, there are two different types of bagua: the early heaven sequence and the later heaven sequence.
To learn more about bagua mirrors and how to use them, I suggest you read this article on mirror placement in feng shui.
17. scepters (ru yi)
Ru Yi is a Chinese scepter used as a decorative object that symbolizes power and good fortune. It is often seen in in the hands of powerful people and deities that are depicted in paintings, drawings, and statues.
In feng shui, ru yi has the effect of helping people gain or maintain authority in their career. As a result, some experts say it’s better suited to office use than home use.
The ru yi should be placed in the northern area of the business, which will help protect the owner and clear the way for advances. As for the home, locating it in the northwest can help parents gain more authority in dealing with their children.
18. pumpkin (pumpkin, wu lou, hu lu)
Feng Shui is all about withholding and accumulating Qi. That is why the calabash is favored. When Qi enters from its mouth, it’ll swirl around its round body and stay there. It’s quite the opposite of what Feng Shui dislikes, which is Qi going straight in and out. (Like the front door facing the back door)
The gourd is said to absorb negative feng shui energy, especially the xa qi (negative energy) brought in by nearby feng shui hazards such as hospitals, cemeteries, churches, and temples. To use it, simply place the gourd on the side of the wall that is next to the feng shui hazard.
The choice of color and material used for the gourd are also important. it’s best to consult an expert to find out what type of squash you need for your particular situation.
pumpkin can also help cure health problems and illnesses. To do so, simply place the gourd in the bedroom of the person who is constantly suffering from the disease. keep the lid open so it can absorb negative energy. other sources have said it can counter flying star #2, the disease star.
19. bamboo flutes
Bamboo flute is a remedy for negative Feng Shui. The idea is that negative Qi would enter through one end of the flute and leave the hole at the other end, thereby neutralizing the negative Qi.
See also: Feng shui bagua series: your home&039s feng shui career area
Other experts have said that bamboo flutes can activate the energy of an area. Because the bamboo flute has the feng shui element of wood, it can be used in the east, southeast, or south areas of your home because those areas can benefit from the energy of wood.
living and natural feng shui items
Of all the feng shui elements mentioned so far, I believe the living and breathing “elements” have the most influence on feng shui. the living and breathing elements mentioned are plants and flowers.
20. plants
Plants are alive and breathing. I think they produce much more energy than non-living, un-enchanted objects like those mentioned in this article.
Plants are commonly used to increase energy and balance the five elements of an area. On a different note, lucky bamboos can be used to increase the learning abilities of you and your children.
the size and shape of plant matter, as well as its relative location and purpose. To learn more about using plants for feng shui, read this guide to feng shui plants.
21. flowers
Flowers are also a type of plant that brings Wood energy. However, different than most other plants, flowers come in many different types of colors that can influence the Feng Shui of your home. For instance, red flowers bring Fire energy. Thus, your home’s Bagua and its relative element should be considered for flower placements.
Flowers, however, are more commonly used to attract love. To do so, place the flower in your peach blossom area in your home. again, you can find this information in my previous article on how to do feng shui with plants.
22. crystals
Crystals are generally used to create good Feng Shui energy in your home. However, the use of crystals is more common in Western Feng Shui because crystals are not common in ancient China or Classical Feng Shui. Because of that, I personally do not think crystals should be part of Feng Shui.
If you do decide to use crystals, the type of crystal and its placement matters, according to some Feng Shui practitioners. For instance, two rose quartz hearts can be placed in Southwest to promote better relationship. Another popular one is the purple amethyst, which is said to clear negative energies in an area and can be used for the Personal Growth Bagua area of your home.
religious statues
let me be clear: feng shui is neither a religion nor a superstition, and religious figures should technically not be a part of classical feng shui. however, due to the cultural mix between religion and feng shui over the years, the line between them has blurred.
However, people have enjoyed positive results and credited these religious statues. That’s why I include them here.
23. fu lu shou (fuk luk sau)
In addition to prosperity, status, and longevity, the three Chinese deities are also said to bring wealth and health. The interpretation is not wrong, because wealth is part of prosperity, and health is part of longevity.
The three deities should be placed side by side like the image shown above. Shou should be on the left of the viewer, Lu in the middle, and Fu on the far right, just as Chinese characters are traditionally written from right to left. However, Chinese are read and written from left to right today, and the placement order of the deities are reversed.
locations may vary as they may be displayed in the living room or dining room five feet above the floor or more. in addition, the statues must face the interior of the house. it should not face the front door or out of a window, nor should it be positioned facing the toilet or anywhere that would be considered disrespectful.
24. buddha statues
Placing Buddha statues is also said to attract positive energy. Experts recommend that it should be placed in a location that respects the Buddha. Meaning, the statue shouldn’t be placed in a bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom.
Auspicious places include the living room, on a desk or office table, an altar, and the area in front of the front door. these locations depend on the size of the statue you have.
materials also matter. For example, Uncle Dixer mentioned that placing a stone Buddha statue in the south corner of the backyard would give you and the occupant of the house more support.
others
other feng shui items that are not categorized are listed here.
25. water sources
Water fountains are commonly used for Feng Shui wealth. Water brings the Water element and symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
Water fountains come in all shapes and sizes. can be used both indoors and outdoors. Some recommended areas for placement, based on the bagua, include the east, southeast, and north. however, the water fountain in the bedroom is not recommended because the bedroom is conducive to calamity. furthermore, its placement in the kitchen is not recommended due to the conflict between its water element and the kitchen’s fire element.
Furthermore, water flowing inward symbolizes the inflow of wealth. For water sources where you can identify your direction of flow, experts would recommend that the direction face inward or toward the interior of your home.
an important note: the wealth activation is done with movement and ideally involves water. therefore, it is important to keep your water sources working (and clean). for wealth activation, you better find an expert to help you.
26. fish tanks, fish tanks and aquariums
A fish tank is another type of water feature. It’s also commonly used to attract wealth, and the fishes symbolize prosperity (the sound of “fish” in Chinese has the same sound as abundance). While a water fountain uses the flow of water as movement, the fish tank uses the swimming of fish as movement.
Placement of fish tanks and aquariums is similar to water fountains. favorable areas are the southeast, north, east and where the #8 annual flying star resides during that year. the unfavorable areas are your bedroom and kitchen. here is an article on feng shui fish tanks that can give you more information.
27. calligraphy pens
Believe me – writing Chinese characters is not easy. Before the existence of pencils and ink pens, Chinese used calligraphy pens for all types of writing. That is why calligraphy pens symbolize education and wisdom. Some experts say that it brings the Feng Shui energy of wisdom to boost academics and learning abilities.
Placement for these pens is usually in your home office or on your desk, with natural wood as the suggested material. Also, experts suggest hanging pens from a pencil holder so they stand up straight.
28. talisman: “prosperous star that shines above”
This auspicious talisman is used to cure bad Feng Shui and has the potential to bring health and wealth (as the Chinese characters at the bottom left and right says). I didn’t know about this talisman until Uncle Dixer mentioned it.
there is a specific use of this talisman that uncle dixer mentioned, and that is to cure the three deaths caused by feng shui annual flying stars. if you choose to sleep against the direction of the three kills, then you can put this talisman on the wall behind your bed.
29. painting: “mountain sea town”
If you look closely, the “Mountain Sea Town” painting in the image above bear similar resemblance as the center image in the auspicious talisman “Prosperous Star Shining Above.” It’s a painting of five mountains with a village in the middle, accompanied by scriptures commonly seen in Taoist talisman.
some sources say that this painting originated in the qing dynasty, and modern applications are more commonly seen in taiwan.
This painting is used in situations where the front door faces mountain peaks, piers, bridges, an alley, and other types of negative feng shui energies. it is said that this painting requires the blessing of the temple to be effective.
30. wealth boat
Many people have observed that Chinese tycoons have this Feng Shui item either in their house, their office, or both. The wealth ship symbolizes a ship carrying wealth into your home in a smooth journey. That is why the head of the ship should face towards the inside of your home, similar to other Feng Shui items mentioned above.
The wealth ship can come in many shapes and sizes, and you should select the model that you like and is suitable for your space.
The boat can be placed both in your home and in your office. suitable areas include your wealth areas based on your home (or office) bagua, your kua, and the location of the annual wealth star.
a piece of advice
Although the use of these feng shui elements is quite common, they are by no means a game changer for the feng shui of your home. In other words, your home’s feng shui won’t do a 360-degree turn from bad to good just by buying and placing a few of these items.
To understand how these elements work and how feng shui can help you in general, you’ll need to understand the concept of correlative thinking, which feng shui master howard choy has explained in detail in this article. here is an example on the feng shui article, the three-legged frog he has given:
“People say that if you put it (a three-legged frog) in your entrance hall, it will bring you wealth. Does that mean you don’t have to work? Do you think you can just sit down and someone will come and give you money, like the coins that are in the frog’s mouth? the frog is a symbol to engender wealth. it will not acquire wealth for us!”
-howard choy, feng shui master
Also, don’t expect feng shui to do all the work for you. he is only here to help us. it doesn’t help or help if you don’t work towards your goal yourself.
conclusion
Some of these feng shui items are readily available and some are not. For example, you can easily buy feng shui animals and water fountains through various online stores. however, some feng shui artifacts, such as the Five Emperor Coins, require the item to be authentic because replicas will not work as intended.
if you decide to buy some of these items, choose the ones you like and are suitable for your home. if not, these items will become more of a nuisance than a charm.
do you use any feng shui products or items? how has it worked for you? Share your experience with us by commenting below!
See also: Does Feng Shui Black Obsidian Wealth Bracelet Work? – Beadnova