Feng shui jewelry
Does it really work?
by Jayashree Bose

| e-mail this page to a friend|

Is it based on superstition or is there anything like feng shui jewelry? Does keeping a horse or a goat or a laughing Buddha in certain sector of your house make you rich or solve your problems over-night?

There have been numerous instances when people have asked me, if feng shui jewelry or artifacts really work or is it just another superstition. Most people's questions pertain to usage of objects and artifacts in feng shui. The questions vary "Will keeping a laughing Buddha or Fuk Lak Sau bring me money?" "Does wearing a double-happiness symbol ensure a good relationship?" "Will I get recognition for my work if I keep a horse/phoenix in the South of my bedroom?" but the ultimate question is always the same "Do these artifacts and jewelry, promoted by many as feng shui items work or not?"

Around a month back, I got a call from a worried mother, who had been advised by some feng shui expert of sorts, to make her son wear a wulou as a pendant. Her son’s health had not improved even after wearing the wulou. She was frustrated and asked me the usage of feng shui jewelry. She was surprised to hear from me that there is nothing like feng shui jewelry in classical or traditional feng shui. Obviously she was not convinced by my reply and wanted to know more, she knew that the jewelry was not working but that she had been duped into buying something which was not even part of traditional feng shui was unimaginable to her.

She is not the only person who has been led into believing that feng shui is nothing but artifacts designed as goats and horses that can be kept in particular corners of the house and voila! you become a millionaire or all your problems are solved.

I am reminded of another instance that took place around six months ago, where a woman looking for a suitable partner was asked to wear a double happiness symbol as a pendant. This woman had gone to the extreme and got one designed in gold with diamond studs. It was a piece that she liked and wore expecting her prince charming to come soon. I was introduced to her at a party and as soon as she realized that I was a feng shui consultant she showed me her jewelry piece and asked my comments. I had to admit that the craftsmanship was great but that's all I could tell her. She was terribly disappointed when she learnt the truth that there is nothing like feng shui jewelry in authentic feng shui. She told me her woes of not being able to find a suitable man and that she was looking for love when she had visited a consultant, who had advised her to wear this piece of jewelry and keep lovebirds and red candles in the Southwest saying that she will be able to attract the love of her life. It had been one year since she was wearing it and burning candles in the Southwest but all seemed to be in vain.

As feng shui is spreading in India and worldwide, people are being led to believe in all sorts of things starting from feng shui jewelry to artifacts sold over the counter as feng shui items. This is happening even more because people are not aware about the true meaning of feng shui. What is feng shui? Everyone knows that feng shui literally means wind and water. It is also understood that feng shui is the study of the flow of "qi" in and around the living premises. This study is done through various calculations and formulae.

To understand feng shui further one needs to know a little bit of feng shui history and the basis of feng shui (read article - Understanding feng shui) .

If feng shui is the study of "qi" in and around the living premises, where does feng shui artifacts and feng shui jewelry fit in the picture? I am yet to find a feng shui classic (ancient feng shui text) which mentions goats, horses and ships as remedies. The classics I have come across have no mention of any form of artifacts (idols) or jewelry.

However, certain items sold over the counter as feng shui solutions have their basis in Chinese customs and traditions. For e.g. it is considered auspicious to give three coins tied in a red ribbon in a red packet to friends and relatives during the Chinese New Year or any other auspicious occasion. But does that mean keeping three coins tied in a red ribbon in your purse will make you rich? I doubt it. This custom is similar to the Indian custom of distributing sweets and gifts to our friends and relatives during Diwali. It can also be considered similar to wishing a prosperous year during New Year's, so does it mean that if you do not wish someone, their year will not be fortunate or prosperous?

Authentic traditional feng shui is not a fashion accessory and I doubt if it ever will be. Many are being misled into believing anything Chinese to be feng shui. Feng Shui is not jewelry neither is it any artifact sold in the market saying it will bring luck.

For getting the optimal benefits of feng shui it is advisable to check the credentials of the consultant, than to spend huge amounts on artifacts and jewelry that work as nothing but adornments on your house and yourself.