There are Chinese symbols and meanings revolve around good fortune and positive elements. The Chinese believe that by filling their lives with lucky objects and images, they increase their prosperity and happiness, making their existence more joyful and fulfilling.
For centuries, symbols and written script have graced their impressive architecture, language, artwork, and everyday objects. Lucky images and symbols are used to create an environment that is protected from illness, bad fortune, and mishaps.
Here are a few popular signs of good luck in Chinese culture:
Laughing Buddha
The celestial Buddha named Bu-Dai is known as the Laughing Buddha. He is said to be a symbol of good character, and his image represents contentment, happiness, good luck, and abundance. His name in Chinese means ‘cloth sack’ because this is exactly what he uses to carry his few possessions and some precious items that he gives to the weak, the poor, and children.
Bamboo
Bamboo is an important element of Chinese culture, not only as a decorative plant but also as a part of people’s lives. People plant bamboos, eat their shoots, paint bamboos, and write poems about them. As it turns out, bamboo has long been the Chinese symbol for strength.
Fish
In China, fish, particularly the koi fish (carp), is considered a symbol of luck in several ways. Since the Chinese pronunciation of fish is the same as that of another word meaning surplus, fish are often used as a sign of wealth or abundance. As goldfishes are able to grow very old, with proper care, it serves as a symbol of longevity. It also represents unity and fidelity since fish often swim together in pairs.
FAQs
Chinese good luck symbols take many forms, such as Chinese characters, statues of dragons, golden cats and red envelopes. These good luck symbols can also be used with specific elements as cures and enhancers for various feng shui applications.
What is a common Chinese superstition? ›
Beating a person with a broom will rain bad luck upon that person for years. The curse can however be lifted by rubbing the part of the body hit several times. The broom should never touch the head: this is very bad luck.
What is lucky for Chinese people? ›
The numbers 2, 3, 6, and 8 are generally considered to be lucky, while 4 is considered unlucky. These traditions are not unique to Chinese culture, with other countries with a history of Han characters also having similar beliefs stemming from these concepts.
What is the Chinese saying for prosperity? ›
Here are a list of wealth and prosperity phrases that you can use right away: 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái) – May you be happy and prosperous. 财源广进 (cái yuán guǎng jìn) – May your money and treasures be plentiful. 招财进宝 (zhāo cái jìn bǎo) – May wealth and treasures fill your home.
What are the 5 Chinese blessings? ›
Chinese culture: five blessings, also known as the "Five Happiness" or "Five Good Fortunes", which refer to longevity, wealth, health and composure, love of virtue, and the desire to die a natural death in old age (or timely death).
What is a list of good luck superstition? ›
From rabbit's feet to broken mirrors, try your luck with these supernatural stories from around the world
- 1. “ Knocking on Wood” ...
- 2. “ Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder” ...
- 3. “ Walking Under a Ladder” ...
- 4. “ Broken Mirror” ...
- 5. “ Step on a Crack, Break Your Mother's Back” ...
- 6. “ Lucky Pennies” ...
- 7. “ Lucky Horseshoe” ...
- 8. “
There are Chinese symbols and meanings revolve around good fortune and positive elements. The Chinese believe that by filling their lives with lucky objects and images, they increase their prosperity and happiness, making their existence more joyful and fulfilling.
What is 2 in Chinese superstition? ›
2. The number 2 is a positive number. A famous Chinese proverb goes, “Good things come in pairs.” When items are purchased for the home, for example, people often try to buy a pair for balance and good meaning. In Cantonese, the word for “2” also sounds like the word “easy”—as in something you gain with little effort.
How to attract good luck Chinese? ›
7 Feng Shui Tips to Boost Luck and Wealth
- Find the Xun Position.
- Place a Fountain Inside Your Home.
- Clean the Entry Gate on a Regular Basis.
- Adding Citrine Crystals to Your Home.
- Place a Feng Shui Money Frog at Home.
- Keep a Bowl of Oranges at Your Home.
- Feng Shui Turtles on Top of a Dragon.
Here are three numbers that are often associated with luck:
- Number 7: In Western culture, the number 7 is often considered lucky. ...
- Number 8: In both Western and Chinese cultures, the number 8 is considered lucky. ...
- Number 9: In Chinese culture, the number 9 is also considered lucky.
Red is symbolic of good fortune, luck, vitality, celebration and prosperity. Today, people refresh their houses with a red hue and hang red lanterns and banners. Red, yellow and green are considered 'auspicious' according to Chinese traditions.
What is a Chinese blessing? ›
Tag: traditional Chinese blessings
“福” (Fu) is the most frequently used character, which means “Wish you a fortune.” Another example is “招財進寶” (Zhao Cai Jin Bao), which means “ushering in wealth and prosperity”. Interestingly, this blessing is usually written in the form of compound Chinese character.
What is the Chinese symbol for luck and wealth? ›
The character Fu (福) meaning "good fortune" or "happiness" is represented both as a Chinese ideograph.
What are the blessings in China? ›
Xinlun suggested that the meaning of five blessings are longevity 'shou' (壽), wealth 'fu' (富), prosperity in government 'kuei' (貴), health 'an le' (安樂) and fertility 'tzu-sun chung-tuo'(子孫眾多) accordingly.
What are common Chinese beliefs? ›
Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are considered the “three pillars” of ancient Chinese society. As philosophies and religions, they not only influenced spirituality, but also government, science, the arts, and social structure.
What is a famous superstition? ›
Tossing Spilled Salt Over Shoulder
Taking a pinch of spilled salt and tossing it over the left shoulder is intended to keep the devil at bay because he sits on the left while an angel sits on the right. Some people associate this superstition with Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper painting.
What is the Chinese death superstition? ›
Many Chinese believe that when a loved one dies, they go to a world filled with earthly possessions. To ensure those they love are not empty-handed and left wanting in the afterlife, they may burn joss paper—paper representing money, credit cards, checks, clothes, houses, cars, electronics and more.
Is 14 unlucky in Chinese? ›
While in Mandarin-speaking regions in China, 14 and 74 are considered unluckier than the individual 4, because 14 (十四, pinyin: shí sì) sounds like "is dead" (是死, pinyin: shì sǐ) and because in some forms of the language, 1 is pronounced (yao) which sounds like (yào 要), which means will be, when combined, it sounds like ...
