Understand the Meaning of Popular Feng Shui Symbols

Written by
Rodika Tchi
Rodika Tchi is an experienced feng shui consultant who guides clients through all aspects of applying feng shui in their homes, offices, and gardens.
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Rodika Tchi
Updated 07/11/20
feng shui house protection

Fiona Crawford Watson / Getty

Traditional, or classical feng shui schools, have many symbols used for various purposes. Some feng shui symbols are well known, such as the Mandarin ducks for love and marriage, the tortoise for protection and stability, or the koi fish for abundance. Some feng shui symbols, such as bats or Chi Lin, are less known. This list of feng shui symbols should help you. Many feng shui symbols double as feng shui cures.

  • 01 of 11

    Flowers: Peony, Lotus, Chrysanthemum, and More

    Pink peony flowers in bloom.
    Teja Ream / Getty Images

    In addition to the energy of beauty and grace, flowers also bring flourishing, good luck and numerous blessings, as well as good quality chi to any home. Living flowers such as peonies, lotus, orchid, and chrysanthemums are among the best choice for your home as they bring strong healing energy; but images of flowers or high-quality silk flowers can be useful in feng shui, too.

  • 02 of 11

    Fruits: Apples, Pomegranate, and Oranges

    Pomegranate open in half with seeds spilling onto wooden table.
    HenrikSorensen / Getty Images

    The feng shui energy of fruits is the energy of fruition. The use of specific fruits, such as apples, pomegranate, and oranges in traditional feng shui applications is often dictated by classifications from ancient texts as being specific symbols of longevity, wealth, prosperity, and fertility. Feng shui-wise, attention is often paid to the colors, numbers, as well as the symbolism of specific fruits.

  • 03 of 11

    Birds: Cranes, Ducks, Peacocks, and More

    Peacock in full bloom.
    Carrie King / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Humans have looked to birds as symbols since time immemorial for inspiration, freedom, and a longing for being united with the divine. Of course, each bird has its distinctive qualities; a peacock is very different from the dove, for example, or the magpie. When choosing images of birds as a feng shui cure, first and foremost be guided by your experience and understanding.

  • 04 of 11

    Butterflies

    Close-up of butterfly wing.
    Timothy Kirman / EyeEm / Getty Images

    The most common feng shui use of the butterfly symbol is as a feng shui cure for love and romance, probably because love is the most transformative feeling that makes you feel like flying. The additional element of using the feng shui symbol of butterflies as a feng shui love cure is the element of freedom to choose among several suitors. The butterfly symbol is one of the best feng shui love cures for single people.

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  • 05 of 11

    Horses

    Black horse galloping in a field.
    Arctic Images / Getty Images

    In classical feng shui applications, the horse brings the energy of success, fame, freedom, and speed. Thus, the horse feng shui symbol is often used in the fame feng shui area of the bagua (south) and the career area (north). The image of a horse or several horses is often used in business and office feng shui applications.

  • 06 of 11

    Fish

    Pond of about a dozen koi fish.
    Tom Haseltine / Getty Images

    The most famous feng shui wealth fish is the Arowana, or dragon fish, and the purest Arowanas are known to be very expensive. However, koi or goldfish are just as effective, as well as a pleasure to look at. Go for eight or nine fish, one of them should be black. Aquariums are auspicious because they bring a harmonious combination of several wealth-attracting feng shui factors.

  • 07 of 11

    Tortoise

    Turtle walking on a book about the history of the United States.
    Rosanne Olson / Getty Images

    The black tortoise is one of the four celestial animals or guardians in feng shui. Each represents a cardinal direction and a season, the tortoise represents the winter and the north. The others are the green dragon (east/spring), the red phoenix (south/summer), the white tiger (west/fall). Considered to be the guardians of good feng shui energy, the roots of their symbolism and feng shui use go deep to the foundation of feng shui. Turtles or tortoises were used in feng shui as a protection cure.

  • 08 of 11

    Bats

    Paper bat mounted to a wall.
    Cindy Loughridge / Getty Images

    The bat is considered an auspicious classical Chinese feng shui symbol of good fortune and prosperity. It is likely this tie to prosperity came from the ancient medicinal properties found in bats—an important ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.

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  • 09 of 11

    Mystic Knot

    Mystic knot showed tied to three coins.

    The mystic knot is one of the most often used symbols in feng shui. Being a combination of six times the infinity symbol, this feng shui knot symbolizes a long and happy life full of good fortune. The mystic knot is sometimes referred to as the endless knot​ because it looks like it swallows its tail. In Buddhism, the mystic knot is one of the eight magical auspicious objects.

  • 10 of 11

    Fu Dogs

    Two Fu dog gold sculptures.

    Feng shui fu dogs or imperial guardian lions are a strong feng shui protection symbol. Fu dogs were traditionally placed in front of imperial palaces, temples, and government offices. Fu dogs were also a traditional feng shui symbol of family wealth and social status and were placed in front of wealthy homes. Fu dogs are usually displayed as a couple.

  • 11 of 11

    Chi Lin

    Chi lin dragon face.

    The Chi Lin is a mythical Chinese creature with the head of a dragon, the body of a horse, and the scales of a carp fish. Also called the dragon horse or the Chinese unicorn, Chi Lin brings strong, protective feng shui energy with blessings of good health and prosperity. Chi Lin is very loyal to its owner and will protect the house from evil spirits. This mythical creature has a higher royal status than other feng shui guardians.