This symbol is a reminder that, like all of life’s dualities, yin and yang are in a fluid dance and not separate. For instance, feng shui is the study of how our homes are not separate from our inner lives. In fact, they are intimately connected and interdependent. Each trigram represents an energy in nature. From top, going clockwise we have: fire, earth, lake, heaven, water, mountain, thunder, and wind. The four celestial emblems have the black tortoise in the back, the red phoenix to the front, and the white tiger and green dragon to the sides. The dragon is a welcome symbol in a home to invite in safety, prosperity, and kindness. Including imagery of tortoises and/or turtles in your home can be used to enhance wisdom. Goldfish are a type of carp, and they are home friendly as they are small. You can bring living goldfish into the home or also use images of carp. Each individual animal represents different things, but all together there is a greater meaning of true harmony. Here are a couple ways to work with the Chinese zodiac in your home. You can look up your own zodiac animal by your year of birth to contemplate your own qualities, and invite that into your home. Or, you can bring in all the zodiac animals together to symbolize harmony with the variety of personalities in the relationships that you may encounter. Some of our favorite flowers include: Peony: The luscious peony symbolizes romance, abundance, and prosperity. Lotus: Arising from muddy waters, the lotus symbolizes wisdom and beauty that can bloom from even the most difficult situations. Orchid: An orchid can symbolize and invite a noble and upright partnership. Chrysanthemums: These long lasting blooms symbolize longevity. Plum Blossom: The first flowers to bloom in the winter, they symbolize hope and perseverance. Here are some of our favorite fruit symbols: Orange: The orange symbolizes the yang energy of the sun. It’s bright, cheerful, and lifts the energy in any space. In addition, the orange is likened to gold in feng shui, so it attracts wealth and good fortune of all kinds. Pomegranate: With its many many (many) seeds, the pomegranate traditionally represents abundance. The color red is also connected to good luck and protection. Peach: In feng shui, we have something called “peach blossom luck” that enhances your ability to attract a romantic partner. They’re also connected to longevity. Fu dogs are an example of “door gods.” Fu dogs are mythical creatures that resemble lions and protect you and your home. You can use the color red strategically in your home’s feng shui to bring benefit to your family. Some examples include painting your front door red, red flowers, or even just some red pillows. Some of our favorite birds are: Crane: Symbolizing long life, this graceful bird also grants wishes. Phoenix: One of the four celestial animals, this mythical bird represents rebirth and good fortune. Mandarin ducks: As a traditional Asian wedding gift, a pair of mandarin ducks are symbols of marriage harmony, fidelity, and happiness because these birds mate for life.
