JOIN USLucky charms If you are the kind to believe in luck, A Dyuti lists out ways in which you could invite it, with a dash of style
Another fresh year’s here! It’s the time when folks hope for the new year to bring in happiness and good luck. And fortune-tellers are in great demand. Hunting for lucky charms to adorn your house during the year that’s just arrived? Let’s examine your options.
Animal figurines are most sought after for fetching good fortune. The white horse is one such, holding sway, almost universally. One of the symbols of the Chinese Zodiac, it signifies power and prosperity. The Chinese horse stands for success, loyalty, courage and endurance and is famed for ushering in success and good reputation in business. Feng shui recommends horse figurines in walking/running postures for attaining success or fame. However, since it’s a powerful yang symbol, seek expert advice to place a suitable yin symbol along with it.
Yin and Yang
Placing two horses together ensures successful business or marriage partnerships. Again, the direction and location in which it should be placed is best decided after consulting experts. The horse is also associated in Hindu mythology with Varuna and the cosmos. Another set of Feng Shui symbols consists of the dragon/phoenix representing the male and the peacock representing the female, signifying yin-yang balance. Obviously, placing these relationship symbols in the bedroom is aimed at improving relations with your partner.
The elephant with a raised trunk has remained a symbol of wealth and power since yore. Wisdom and reason are its other attributes in Asian cultures. It’s usually placed high upon a mantel, shelf or altar. The practice of wearing ivory trinkets, however, should be shunned as it endangers the species. The Chinese Ox is believed to ensure success, abundance, wealth-accumulation and in general, a good year ahead! The preferred spot for displaying this symbol is the southeast corner of your house. Prominent amongst contemporary lucky animal figurines is the bull. For those who regularly invest in the stock market, the connection doesn’t mystify, for a bullish market heralds handsome returns! Correspondingly, a Bearish market is nightmarish!
Wealth by luck
And then, there’s the fortune-frog or money-toad figurine that’s supposed to fetch good fortune. The money-frog is a three-legged toad with a coin in its mouth and many more strewn around its feet. Believed to be the favourite of the Chinese God of Wealth, the toad needs to be placed in particular spots to yield benefits, whether it’s at your shop or home. Since cats are nocturnal, money-cat figurines are believed to ward off evil spirits that may harm your home/work-place if placed at particular locations at both the home and office. The Koi or Carp fish represent wealth, prosperity and abundance. Displaying figurines/pictures of these is considered to be lucky. Feng Shui also prescribes placing three goldfish in a bowl for attaining strength and prosperity during adversity.
Among birds, the white crane is the Chinese symbol for wisdom and is also associated with longevity, health, happiness and good luck. But, Feng Shui warns against keeping caged birds as such confinement translates into stunted growth!
The joyful figure of Hoi Toi, the God of Fortune, is displayed for assuring happiness, good luck and wealth.
A touch of religion
As for Indian lucky figurines, those of gods like Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati and Venkateshwara and the Om symbol are regularly displayed. Coins and medallions of saints as lucky charms are a common feature in most religions. They make their way into jewellery and artefacts too.
Among objects believed to fetch fortune, the horseshoe, hand and shamrock are most popular. Since horseshoes protected the horses during their journey, they came to be viewed as people’s protectors along life’s journey and were hung upright at either the main front door-frame’s top-right corner or inside a building. Vedic astrology believes a horseshoe worn by a black horse protects it against the ire of Shanidev or Saturn. The shamrock’s four leaves stand for faith, hope, love and luck respectively. The flat, open palm symbol is another good luck charm.
Feng shui wall-fans are handcrafted in bamboo and hand-painted with lucky symbols on heavy paper. More commonly found outdoors as garden art accessories, feng shui wind chimes are said to ring in good luck. Here too, location is important; so, consult a feng Shui expert before you proceed.
Some natural objects are also used as lucky charms. By now, everyone’s aware of bamboo as a lucky plant that feng shui considers a symbol of good fortune and tenacity. Remember, it thrives in water rather than in soil and indirect rather than direct sunlight. Two other plants bringing prosperity are Pachira and Lunaria annua. Seek details regarding these from a Feng Shui expert. Water features like flowing water and ponds are also thought of as signalling prosperity.
So, take your pick and have a great year!