If there is one family tradition I observe without fail it is the preparation of the house for the new year, ensuring that all the Feng Shui elements are in place for a good year ahead, regardless of what the universe may have in store for the next 12 months. It’s pretty much a hit and miss isn’t it? Because no matter how we try to coax the energies, the universe has its own plan mapped out for us.
Nevertheless, it never hurts to set the stage for a prosperous year ahead. Feng Shui plays a central role in attracting positive energy, abundance, and good fortune. Walk with me and let’s explore how to incorporate them into your celebrations.
1. The 12 Round Fruits
In Feng Shui, round shapes symbolise unity, wholeness, and completeness, while fruits represent abundance and good health. The practice of displaying 12 round fruits at the New Year’s Eve table, especially in countries like the Philippines, aligns with these principles. Each fruit represents a month of the year, and their presence ensures a bountiful year filled with harmony and wealth. Popular choices include oranges, apples, grapes, and pomegranates. To maximise luck, choose vibrant, fresh fruits with no blemishes and yes, it has to be 12 DIFFERENT fruits. How easy it would be to just pop 12 apples or 12 oranges into a bowl and be done with it. I usually ended up criss crossing around town to the various markets to collect all the ground fruits and eventually I came up with a list of fruits for Asia and another for Europe. Here’s more family lore for you – My grandmother and aunts could never agree on this one. One said it should be 13 fruits for extra wealth, another said it should be round fruits with no seeds, and so on. My mom gave up at some point and gathered whatever she could find that came close enough to being round and that was it. The key here is to have a bunch of grapes to crown the loot. Hint: the fruits are to remain uneaten until sunset of January 1. Good luck in trying to keep eager hands away!
2. Nine Frogs on a Red Cloth
In Feng Shui, frogs symbolise wealth and good fortune, and nine is a particularly auspicious number, representing completeness and long-term prosperity. Placing nine frogs on a red cloth in your home during the New Year amplifies luck and invites financial abundance. The red cloth enhances the energy, as red symbolises happiness, vitality, and good luck in Chinese culture.
3. Wearing Polka Dots
A playful yet symbolic tradition, wearing polka dots on New Year’s Eve is believed to attract wealth and prosperity. Like round fruits, the circular pattern signifies coins, invoking financial stability and success in the coming year. This custom is particularly popular in the Philippines, where dressing in dots—complete with accessories like dotted scarves or hats—sets a festive, optimistic tone.
4. Three-Colored Cat
A three-colored calico cat, is believed to bring good luck and protection, especially in Feng Shui. The combination of its three colors—often white, orange, and black—is thought to attract balance, wealth, and harmony. Whether you have a real calico cat or a figurine placed in your home, it serves as a charming talisman for prosperity in the new year. Again, this is one area where there is a lot of debate, particularly on whether an ordinary female calico will suffice or you should try and find the rare male calico. I take care of 2 calicos and so far I haven’t had any issues with rodents or bats, so that’s a win in my book!
5. Money Plants for Prosperity
Money plants (such as Pothos or Jade Plants) are essential in Feng Shui for attracting financial luck and positive energy. Place a money plant in the southeast corner of your home or near your front door to symbolise the growth of wealth and abundance. On New Year’s Eve, give the plant a fresh watering and prune any dead leaves to refresh its energy.
6. Opening All the Doors and Lights Before Midnight
Flow is key to inviting positive chi (energy). Opening doors and windows just before the stroke of midnight allows the old year’s energy to leave and welcomes in the new. Turning on all the lights ensures that every corner of your home is illuminated, preventing any lingering negative energy. This practice is a symbolic way to clear out obstacles and make space for fresh opportunities and joy in the new year.
7. The Significance of Fireworks
Across the globe, fireworks light up the sky as the new year begins, but their role goes beyond celebration. In Feng Shui and Chinese culture, loud noises and bright lights drive away evil spirits and negative energy. Fireworks, firecrackers, and even sparklers symbolise a fresh start, ensuring a path free of obstacles. If you can’t light fireworks, banging pots and pans at midnight is a fun and equally powerful alternative!
8. Jewelry for New Year’s Luck
Wearing the right jewellery can amplify your intentions for the new year. In Feng Shui, gold is the ultimate metal for attracting wealth and success. Gold necklaces, bracelets, or rings are great choices. Incorporating gemstones like citrine (for abundance), jade (for harmony and protection), or garnet (for vitality and passion) further enhances the energy. To symbolise unity and wholeness, wear circular jewellery, such as hoop earrings or bangles. Layer your accessories in threes—a powerful number for manifesting abundance.
9. Keeping the Table Set on January 1
The dining table is a powerful symbol of abundance and family harmony. Keeping your table set throughout New Year’s Day ensures that the energy of plenty stays active in your home. Add a flourish by using your best tableware, fresh flowers, and, if possible, a centrepiece of those 12 round fruits. A beautifully set table attracts wealth and elevates the overall energy of the space. For an extra dose of abundance and good fortune, set an extra place at the dining table. This simple gesture symbolizes hospitality to unseen benefactors or divine blessings. It conveys that you are open to receiving abundance in all its forms—money, love, health, and happiness. Some families even include a symbolic offering, like a coin or a piece of bread, on the extra plate.
May 2025 bring you luck, love, and light.
Related blog entries:
The Esoteric Frog 
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