If Seneca were writing this blog, he'd probably open by saying Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
But, would we necessarily agree?
Yes and no - it depends where you stand on superstition.
In gambling culture, lucky charms are somewhat of a necessity, and rarely any gambler would do without one. Whether in Western or Eastern cultures, popular gambling lucky charms create an aura of trust in the higher power, letting divine support find its way to the gambler and create opportunity.
If you are into Eastern tradition and beliefs, or you’ve ever wondered what the Chinese good luck symbols are for gambling, we have put together 15 popular Chinese lucky objects people bring to their games, hoping they'll bring them good fortune.
Which Chinese good luck charms are the best for gamblers?
Chinese lucky charms have plenty of forms. From the imperial dragon and lucky golden cat statues to red envelopes, these good luck symbols have been used for everything from gambling luck enhancers to cures and accompaniments for various Feng Shui applications. But, what is the Chinese good luck symbol that really works?
According to tradition, they all do.
Deeply rooted in Chinese history and culture, Chinese symbols (especially in Feng Shui) are known to have a significant meaning and strong purpose in one's life, home, and workplace. They are celebrated for rejuvenating stagnant energy and strengthening positivity while acting as both cures and protectors.
The power of these symbols transcends to crafts like gambling too (do we dare call it craft?), serving a great purpose for those who play.
If you are wondering what are the Chinese good luck symbols you should go for when gambling, get your gambling terms in order and check out these most popular 15 Chinese good luck charms for gambling:
#1 Pinyin - Chinese Symbol for Luck
Pinyin is one of the most popular Chinese symbols of good luck; it stands for fu, representing good luck or good fortune.
The power of this ancient Chinese symbol is still very strong. The symbol fu is hung on the front door during the Chinese Spring Festival and Chinese New Year to bring good luck, happiness, and prosperity. This practice began during the Zhou Dynasty in 256 B.C. to keep the Goddess of Poverty from visiting your home and residing in it.
In modern days, artists often draw fu symbols in black ink calligraphy on red paper and keep them in homes as a Feng Shui symbol that attracts positive energy. You'll see these beautiful good luck symbols as jewellery, too, usually in the form of charms and pendants, which are usually the go-to choice for gamblers as they are the easiest to carry around.
#2 Lucky Golden Cat Statues
According to some Feng Shui beliefs, cats are typically considered bad omens in Chinese mythology - unless they are golden cats. Getting a golden cat statue signifies a fruitful transformation of what might have been a very unfavourable event into one with an encouraging outcome.
The symbol of the golden cat (sometimes referred to as the lucky cat) is so strong that it symbolizes protection against evil and the transformation of evil into good, in general.
In Feng Shui, the two-sided statue of a cat is an unusual symbol of abundance, good luck, and protection.
While one side of the statue depicts a smiling cat with a raised paw intended to attract wealth, good luck, and good fortune, the other side portrays a frowning with a broom to symbolize protection by sweeping worry, troubles, and bad luck away from you.
#3 Oranges
In the art of Feng Shui, oranges are thought of as fruit with abundant yang energy. Yang energy is uplifting, bright, and vibrant, like the sun in the middle of the day. The colour, smell, and taste of oranges tend to make people feel uplifted and happy, sometimes even energized, which stems from its Feng Shui base.
Additional auspicious symbology of oranges is that they have that radiant colour of gold and are, essentially, shaped like coins which is why they are thought of as one of the most popular Chinese lucky charms for gambling.
Oranges are frequently used for space clearing to replace stagnant or negative energy with joy, positivity, and vitality. To keep this positive energy flowing in your home, you can keep a bowl of fresh oranges on the counter or carry one around if you want to attract good luck.
Gamblers are known to carry an orange (sometimes a few) with them to card games or gambling parlours for good luck or wear ornaments with orange images to invite wealth, abundance, and luck into their game.
#4 Chinese Dragons
According to ancient Chinese culture, the Imperial Dragon fathered nine dragon sons, which justifies the culture's fascination with the symbol, visible everywhere - from architecture to jewellery.
Depending on the region of the country, some dragon names are spelt differently, but they all retain the same properties.
Baxia (Bixi): Turtle dragon (the dragon tortoise) is the most commonly recognized symbol. He is strong, powerful, and capable of bearing life's burdens. He brings prosperity and strength and ensures long and healthy life.
Chi-Wen (Chao Feng or Chiwen): This dragon is used on roofs as protection against fire. It also governs water, so it's wise to place one inside a home to protect against floods or other natural disasters.
Bi An (Bian): Bian is a protector of the law and a dragon considered a fair judge. For those facing legal issues, this symbol could just do.
Gongfu (Gong Fu): Gong Fu is a water dragon that enjoys swimming in lakes and everywhere in the water, actually. He protects you from floods, brings wealth to your home, and is a Chinese lucky charm used on ships.
Ch'iu Niu (Quiniu): Quiniu loves music and creativity, which is why it usually gets carved onto musical instruments or as a relief motif.
Pu Lao (Puloa): This dragon rules over sounds. It roars and is often used as a motif for temple bells. If you want to command authority, place one on your desk.
Taotie (Tootie): For those of you seeking wealth, Tootie God dragon could help! Mix this food-loving dragon with bronze and other metal plates, bowls, and other serving pieces, and see what happens. You'll find most China patterns include an image of Taotie.
Suan Ni (Sunni): The lion dragon sits and watches over his kingdom, bestowing wisdom and great wealth to those who use this symbol. He is a dragon God of fire and smoke that may play the role of your lucky charm.
Ya Zi (Yazi): A fierce warrior and always victorious in war, the protector dragon God protects those in the military from the Yazi's energy.
#5 Red Envelopes
While Western cultures often associate the colour red with passion, in Chinese culture – red is one of the most yang colours, the symbol of life energy, wealth, and prosperity. Red is also the most fortunate colour in Feng Shui, and is connected to protection and the fire element, often invoking inspiration and motivation.
Being the luckiest of colours, red is incorporated in all important life events. In fact, important celebrations such as weddings, the lunar new year, and other special holidays usually have monetary gifts presented in red envelopes for affluence.
However, as red envelopes hold one coin (from a positive dynasty), they are a great amulet to carry inside your purse or wallet for abundant wealth.
#6 Jin Chan (Three-Legged Toad)
Jin Chan (golden toad) or Chan Chu (toad) are two lucky charms known as bearers of good news and good fortune. Also, they became known outside China and are among the most popular gambling lucky charms worldwide.
This three-legged creature is depicted carrying a coin in its mouth and is believed to appear on a full moon near households that will soon receive money, good news, or any form of wealth. The three-legged toad is also known to ward off bad luck.
Jin Chans are some of the gamblers' favourite lucky charms to keep around. While some carry their toads around, displaying them proudly before hitting a slot machine to maximise their chances of winning, others put chips or lottery tickets under their toad statue and hope for the best.
#7 Double Happiness Symbol
Who wouldn't enjoy a double of anything good, especially happiness!
In Chinese culture, the double happiness symbol is the character for joy, often used in wedding items to invite good luck. Combined with the fortunate colour red, the double happiness symbol is expected to bring immense joy into your life.
Gamblers often wear a double happiness symbol as a pendant or some other type of jewellery, or as a part of their clothing ensemble to bring them good fortune.
#8 Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals
Horoscope enthusiasts must already know everything about the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, the symbolism behind them, and the animal they are. Each year carries certain symbolism and is connected to one of the twelve animals. The animals rotate in a particular order.
In Chinese culture, it is auspicious to have any representation of all twelve animals together, whether it be on a photo, as a decoration, on a pendant, or somewhere else. When the twelve animals are together, they are believed to bring balance, harmony, and prosperity.
Gamblers tend to wear jewellery of the zodiac to bring them luck, whether it be their individual sign or the twelve together. Who knew gambling horoscopes were a thing!
#9 Carp (Koi) and Goldfish
Carp (koi) and goldfish are lucky charms used in homes or other spaces to stimulate wealth. The symbol consists of eight red and one blackfish placed in an aquarium or koi pond.
If you want to include this Chinese lucky charm into your collection, follow Feng Shui rules that instruct the following:
- #1 Place your aquarium just inside the front door
- #2 Make sure it occupies the north wall or the southeast sector of home
- #3 Maintain it regularly and keep it clean
Like many other symbols, this one too is worn as jewellery or in some other way to attract wealth.
#10 Three Chinese Lucky Coins
The three Chinese lucky coins are one of the favourites! Tied with a red ribbon, the three coins are said to bring you luck, wealth, and prosperity as long as they stay close to you.
That is, if you want to keep this symbol in your home, place it in the Southeast sector of your home. If you'd rather have it with you at all times, you can carry them inside your purse or wallet for an abundance of wealth and money.
#11 Chinese Characters
Chinese characters are common lucky charm options for those who want their good luck where they can see it – around their wrist or neck.
Different characters, such as the ones for love, health, wisdom, happiness, fortune, wealth, prosperity, etc. are often worn as pendants to attract whatever their chosen symbol represents.
They too can be placed inside the house, in the right location.
#12 Lucky Bamboo
Out of all Feng Shui plants for luck, Lucky Bamboo is probably one of the most, if not the most popular and potent Feng Shui cure.
A symbol of good health, good fortune, and prosperity, this gorgeous plant attracts and increases the flow of positive energy throughout any space, whether it be your home or business. At the same time, the plant is believed to ensure chi's undisrupted flow throughout the space by reactivating any stagnant energy in the area.
Different Bamboo stalks arrangements mean different things, and gamblers who rely on this plant for wealth should know that six Lucky Bamboo stalks bring favourable conditions that provide a flow of money and good luck.
#13 Mystic Knots
Whether used alone or in unison with other good luck symbols, mystic knots are known as the knots of happiness. They are the eternity symbol of figure eight, and you can use them to hang numerous Feng Shui cures.
#14 Chinese Lucky Numbers
To answer your question from the top page - what are the Chinese good luck symbols that work – these just might be it!
Chinese lucky numbers carry a particular symbolism, and they are believed to attract various types of energies and vibrate to a specific energy. The numbers 3, 5, and 8 are considered the luckiest numbers of them all, while 4 is considered unlucky.
Some people use these lucky numbers as a guide for choosing important things in their lives where a number is needed, like their following home address, phone number, and similar. You can tap into these numbers and take advantage of its chi energy each time you decide to sit behind that gambling table!
#15 Statues of Buddha
Statues of Laughing Buddha (also known as 'Hotai' or 'Pu-Tai') are a typical Chinese symbol of prosperity and wealth placed in households or other spaces.
Chubby by default, Buddha (statue) is believed to grant wishes and bring good luck to those rubbing his belly.
Recently, Hotai became a Chinese lucky charm for gambling, not just household luck.
People who want more prosperity and wealth should acquire a laughing Buddha with a pot of gold or gold nuggets in his hands.
Final Thoughts
Whether it be naivety, need for control, or a genuine belief that there's something bigger than us controlling things that pushes us towards lucky charms and superstition, it's somehow soothing to believe that one little thing in our pocket is really watching our back, and bringing us that win we've hoped to score for so long.
Although the world of gambling does not exist outside of superstition and probably never will, rationally, we all know there is no guarantee that good luck charms will make us millionaires, given that all casino games are effectively random.
Even so, deciding what is the Chinese good luck symbol that brings you the most luck, then holding onto it, can boost your confidence and instil you with a sense of control. Throw a mindset that beats the odds into the mix, and you may as well go home with some cha-ching!