Four leaf clovers, rainbows, ladybugs, horseshoes -- these are just a few items that people associate with good luck. The best known method of decorating your house for good luck, however, is through the use of an ancient Chinese practice called "feng shui." Dedicated to promoting well-being and good fortune by maximizing the flow of “chi,” or energy, through a home or office, in the past few decades, feng shui has attracted the interest of people outside China. So popular has this design philosophy become that some people go so far as to hire feng shui consultants, according to a CNN report on nontraditional jobs.
The Color Red
Stimulating, energetic and vibrant, the color red demands attention. To the Chinese, red is the color of good fortune, states color expert Kate Smith. According to the Chinese aesthetics system of feng shui, you invite prosperity when you paint your front door red. You can gain the same effect even if your decorating scheme calls for a more muted shade of red, such as pink or plum.
Water Symbols
To followers of Feng shui, the element of water is representative of wealth. A feng shui decorator, therefore, would recommend that you place symbols of water throughout your house to attract money. Ways to incorporate water into your decorating include the use of mirrors, aquariums, glass objects and small water fountains. Decorating with mirrors, in particular, is thought to promote good luck by redirecting any negative energy flow. You might also want to use various shades of blue and green, the cool and calm colors of water, in your home’s decorating scheme.
Animal Charms
Some Chinese people believe that certain animal symbols have the power to act as good luck charms. Try incorporating some of these animals as a part of your decorating scheme, whether as the subject of a figurine or artwork, or as part of a pattern on a rug or upholstered piece. Feng shui symbols of luck include dragons, tigers, horses, tortoises and elephants. Fish are considered a particularly auspicious symbol for a homeowner who wishes to attract wealth and prosperity.
Lucky Bamboo
Bamboo has long been revered in Chinese culture as a symbol of strength and resiliency. Because real bamboo is not practical as an indoor plant, many followers of feng shui have adopted cane cuttings of Dracaena sanderana, a native of Cameroon in west Africa, as a substitute. This small bamboo look-alike, often called “lucky bamboo,” is popularly believed to be a source of positive energy when used in decorating. This versatile plant thrives in any room that receives bright, indirect light. Lucky bamboo is exceptionally care-free and can survive in water alone for up to a year.
