Feng Shui good-luck charms for the home

CEBU, Philippines — The Chinese influence on Filipino ways cannot be denied.

There’s a bit of Chinese to find in almost all local homes. Filipinos love Chinese food; and even among the non-superstitious, it is considered comforting to have a lucky charm or two around the house.

Now that the Chinese New Year is just a few days away, Filipinos are all the more embracing the Chinese beliefs and practices. There’s most likely to be “tikoy” (sticky rice cake) on the dining table on February 5. And Feng Shui is most certainly prevalent in everyone’s mind.

There are those that try to adopt some Feng Shui practices – even if only at this time – “just in case it really works.” Others are quite sure that it really works. At any rate, many Feng Shui good-luck charms are nice home decorations too.

For 2019, the Year of the Earth Pig, certain good-luck charms are good to have at home, according to the website www.thechinesezodiac.org. The website lists the following:

Pig Statue. In order to solve family issues or to maintain harmony, the east corner of the living room is the best spot for placing the statue. To attract luck, the statue shall be placed in the south-east corner of the bedroom or living room.

This symbol is also believed to provide protection when one goes on a long journey, if placed on the dashboard of the car. Placed on the work desk, it has a beneficial influence by relieving stress and by facilitating work efficiency.

Laughing Buddha. Laughing Buddha is known in Feng Shui as Buddha of Happiness. The legend says that nothing would make Buddha happier than to see the issues, the worries and the sadness of human beings turn into happiness. It is said that his inner smile radiates on his entire face. He brings happiness anywhere he goes.

Laughing Buddha is a very well-known symbol of wealth, innocent joy – just one look at his joyful face can cheer up a person. It is said that by rubbing his belly, which contains a lot of wealth, one gains luck and prosperity for all the people living in the house and also wealth and happiness, and the rounder is the Buddha’s belly, the more auspicious is the image.

The Green Dragon. It is a protective dragon that represents the masculine yang element and controls the bad energies. There are three types of dragons: the celestial (the one with the most power), the oceanic (without a tail) and the wetland dragon. These are the energies of the spring, representing development, blossoming, protection, culture and wisdom.

It should be located towards the East and its color should be green. Dragons are used for the described energy drafts, since the Chinese considered that the ‘Chi’ or energy flows following a route or path called “the cosmic breath of the dragon.”

The White Tiger. It symbolizes the soft and wavy mountain system of the West side, providing protection, strength and impetus of the yin. It shall be located towards the West and its color shall be white. The White Tiger is closely related to the Green Dragon. It is the energy of the autumn, representing internal focus, producing passivity and contemplation.

Wind Chimes. Wind chimes have gained popularity all over the world because of the Feng Shui tradition. If placed outside of the house, wind chimes expel the negative energy and the evil intention of people. Those living in apartment buildings can place the wind chimes on the deck.

Aside from purifying the energy, metal chimes attract money and wealth, especially if they are placed in front of a wealth corner of the house. House residents shall ring the chimes from time to time, to activate the energy that stimulates the accumulation of money. Learning a little bit about wind chimes can help determine which type of chime to have.