Fruits have long been intertwined with cultural beliefs and practices, symbolising prosperity, health, and good fortune. In feng shui, the strategic placement and selection of certain fruits are believed to attract positive energy and enhance various aspects of life. As we approach the New Year, incorporating these auspicious fruits into our homes can serve as both a celebration of tradition and a means to invite blessings for the year ahead. Read about the symbology of fruit and how it can be incorporated into feng shui practice and enhance different aspects of life, personally and professionally. Luck is an integral part of feng shui practice – and there are many ways to enhance it – one way is to incorporate symbols that can prime you to get more lucky… (also, read about the Luck Factor, which is the mindset for becoming lucky in any area of your life).
1. Oranges and Tangerines: Symbols of Wealth and Prosperity
Oranges and tangerines are highly regarded in feng shui for their vibrant colour and refreshing scent. Their golden hue represents wealth and prosperity, making them popular choices during festive seasons. Placing a bowl of nine oranges in the living room or kitchen is thought to attract good fortune and dispel negative energy.
2. Apples: Emblems of Peace and Harmony
Apples symbolise peace and good health in feng shui. The Chinese word for apple, “píngguǒ,” sounds like “píng,” meaning peace, underscoring this association. Displaying red apples in the dining area is believed to foster harmony and strengthen family relationships.
3. Peaches: Icons of Longevity and Immortality
Peaches are esteemed as symbols of longevity and immortality, often linked to the gods of longevity in Chinese mythology. They also represent love and marriage, making them ideal gifts for older individuals during birthdays to wish them a long and abundant life.
4. Pomegranates: Harbingers of Fertility and Abundance
Known for their multitude of seeds, pomegranates symbolise fertility and abundance. They are believed to bring happiness in family settings and are often gifted to newlyweds to bless them with many children. Displaying pomegranates in the home is thought to attract prosperity and good luck for future generations.
5. Grapes: Signifiers of Success and Abundance
Grapes represent abundance and the fruition of one’s efforts. They are associated with success and the attainment of material wealth. Incorporating grapes into home décor or consuming them during celebrations is believed to attract prosperity and turn bad luck into good fortune.
6. Pineapples: Attractors of Wealth and Opportunities
In feng shui, pineapples are symbols of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. The Hokkien term for pineapple, “ong lai,” sounds like “prosperity comes your way,” highlighting its significance as a magnet for good luck. Placing pineapples in the home is thought to invite wealth and new opportunities.
7. Bananas: Emblems of Unity and Happiness
Bananas, often found in clusters, symbolise unity and family togetherness. Their bright yellow colour represents happiness, making them ideal for fostering a joyful and cohesive family environment.
8. Lychees: Symbols of Happiness and Good Fortune
Lychees, with their red hue, are considered auspicious and symbolise happiness and good fortune. In ancient Chinese culture, they are also seen as symbols of romance and beauty, making them favourable for enhancing love and luck.
9. Pomelos: Representations of Family Unity and Good Luck
Pomelos are symbols of family unity and are believed to bring good luck into the household. Displaying them in pairs aligns with the feng shui principle that “all good things come in twos,” enhancing their auspiciousness.
10. Watermelons: Tokens of Prosperity and Abundance
The round shape and numerous seeds of watermelons make them symbols of prosperity and abundance. Their sweet, red flesh is also associated with luck, making them ideal for attracting positive energy and wealth.
11. Cherries: The Jewels of Love and Youthfulness
Cherries, with their delicate shape and deep red hue, are often associated with love, youth, and vitality. In feng shui, their vibrant colour represents passion and good fortune, making them a popular symbol for fostering romantic relationships and emotional connection. The dual cherries often depicted together symbolise partnership and unity, encouraging harmony in love and marriage. Beyond their romantic connotations, cherries are also seen as a metaphor for the sweetness and fleeting beauty of life, reminding us to cherish joyful moments.
Feng Shui Tip: Place a small bowl of cherries in the living room or dining area to invite passion and affection into your home.
12. Figs: Ancient Symbols of Fertility and Wisdom
Figs have a long history of being revered as sacred fruits, symbolising fertility, abundance, and enlightenment. Their unique structure – with a multitude of seeds encased in a luscious flesh – embodies prosperity and the nurturing of new beginnings. In many cultures, figs are associated with wisdom and spiritual growth. Their energy is thought to encourage deep connections and creative expression, making them ideal for homes where intellectual and artistic pursuits thrive.
Feng Shui Tip: Place figs on a decorative tray in your study or workspace to enhance creativity and insight.
13. Papaya: A Tropical Beacon of Health and Prosperity
Papaya, with its golden-orange hue and succulent sweetness, is a powerful symbol of health, vitality, and wealth. In feng shui, its colour resonates with the energy of prosperity and success, while its rich, abundant seeds signify fertility and new opportunities. Often referred to as the “fruit of angels,” papaya embodies warmth and positivity, making it an excellent choice for creating a welcoming and harmonious home atmosphere.
Feng Shui Tip: Incorporate papaya into family meals or display it in the kitchen to promote health and abundance in your household.
14. Lemons: Cleansers of Energy and Catalysts for Renewal
Lemons are renowned in feng shui for their ability to cleanse and purify spaces. Their bright yellow colour symbolises clarity, happiness, and optimism, while their tart aroma is believed to dispel negative energy and attract positive chi. Beyond their energetic properties, lemons are also associated with protection and renewal, making them a versatile fruit for promoting fresh starts and warding off misfortune.
Feng Shui Tip: Place a bowl of fresh lemons near the entrance of your home or in the kitchen to attract uplifting energy and keep negativity at bay.
Bringing These Fruits Together and Placement
Cherries, figs, papaya, and lemons each carry unique meanings and energies, but they share a common theme of abundance and harmony. By incorporating these fruits into your daily life – whether through décor, offerings, or consumption – you align yourself with their positive vibrations and invite good fortune into your space. Whether celebrating a special occasion, welcoming the New Year, or simply enhancing your everyday environment, these fruits can serve as vibrant, symbolic reminders of life’s richness and potential. Their presence not only uplifts the aesthetics of your home but also resonates with the deeper principles of feng shui, helping you cultivate an environment of balance, health, and prosperity.
You can use the bagua model on your dinning area or kitchen for specific placement of fruit, depending on your needs and intentions. In feng shui, the Bagua model can be a powerful tool for optimising the placement of fruits in your dining area or kitchen, aligning their symbolism with specific life areas. Each sector of the Bagua corresponds to a different aspect of life, such as wealth, health, relationships, or career. For instance, placing oranges or lemons in the southeast corner (associated with wealth and abundance) can amplify prosperity, while cherries or apples in the centre (the health sector) promote vitality and harmony. If you wish to enhance love and partnership, a bowl of peaches or cherries in the southwest corner is ideal. By thoughtfully placing fruits in alignment with your intentions and the Bagua map, you can infuse your home with harmonious energy tailored to your personal aspirations.
Enhancing Feng Shui Energy with Fruit-Based Essential Oils in Baths
In feng shui, the energy of fruits symbolises abundance, vitality, and joy, and incorporating fruit-based essential oils into your bath is a powerful way to align your personal energy with these positive vibrations. Citrus oils, such as orange and lemon, are particularly effective. Orange essential oil brings uplifting and revitalising energy, promoting joy and abundance, while lemon essential oil is known for its cleansing properties, helping to clear negativity and invigorate the mind. Grapefruit oil, another citrus gem, fosters feelings of optimism and renewal, harmonising emotions and boosting motivation. To enhance the energetic benefits, mix these fruit-based oils with a carrier oil or bath salts before adding them to your bathwater. This ritual not only refreshes your body but also aligns your intentions with the vibrant chi of abundance and positivity, making your bathing experience a feng shui-inspired act of self-care.
Summary
Fruits have always been a vibrant expression of life’s abundance, with their colours, shapes, and tastes imbued with cultural and symbolic meanings. In feng shui, fruits are not just nourishing treats but also powerful symbols that attract luck, prosperity, and harmony. Let’s explore the unique significance of cherries, figs, papaya, and lemons as harbingers of good fortune.Incorporating these fruits into your home décor or diet, especially during the New Year, can serve as a meaningful way to embrace cultural traditions and invite positive energy. Whether displayed in a fruit bowl or used as offerings, these fruits carry rich symbolism that aligns with the principles of feng shui, aiming to harmonise the environment and enhance well-being.
References
Luck Factor, which is the mindset for becoming lucky in any area of your life – how to be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right things…