Chinese New Year 2025 - 12 Feng Shui Bad Luck Gifts

12 Feng Shui Gifts to Avoid for Chinese New Year 2025

1. Sharp Objects (e.g., Knives and Scissors) 🔪

   Sharp objects like knives, scissors, or any item with a blade are believed to “cut” relationships in Feng Shui. When given as gifts, they can bring misfortune by symbolizing the severing of bonds or friendships. For instance, giving a knife set to someone can unintentionally invite rifts or misunderstandings, as if wishing a “cut” in your relationship.

2. Clocks and Watches ⏰

   Clocks and watches represent the passage of time and are often associated with mortality. In Chinese culture, gifting a clock is likened to “counting down” the days of the recipient’s life, making it one of the most inauspicious gifts. This association with endings is particularly negative during Chinese New Year, a time focused on new beginnings.

3. Umbrellas ☂️

   The Chinese word for umbrella, “san,” sounds like “scatter,” implying division or discord. Traditionally, giving an umbrella can be interpreted as a gesture that invites separation or misunderstanding. Instead of bringing unity, an umbrella may lead to unintended conflicts, so it’s best avoided.

4. Shoes 👞

   Shoes are another item with negative connotations. The word for shoes sounds similar to the word for “evil” or “parting” in Chinese, symbolizing distance or separation. Gifting shoes can imply a wish for the recipient to “walk away,” leading to physical or emotional distance. For a time as joyful as Chinese New Year, it’s better to opt for gifts that bring people closer.

5. Mirrors 🪞

   While mirrors are stylish decor, they carry complex meanings in Feng Shui. Mirrors can reflect energy and deflect it away, symbolizing barriers in relationships. When positioned correctly, such as facing your desk if you must sit with your back to a door, a mirror serves as a protective Feng Shui tool. However, giving one as a gift may imply distrust or division, so it’s best to avoid mirrors as gifts during New Year.

6. Handkerchiefs 🧻

   Handkerchiefs are often associated with tears, sadness, and farewells. They are traditionally given at funerals and symbolize parting. A gift of a handkerchief could unintentionally suggest a farewell or sorrow, making it inappropriate for a festive occasion like Chinese New Year, which celebrates unity and happiness.

7. Pearls 💧

   While considered beautiful and precious, pearls carry a meaning of sorrow in Chinese culture. Their round, tear-like shape is reminiscent of sadness. For this reason, gifting pearls during Chinese New Year may suggest hardship, which is unsuitable for a holiday focused on joy and fortune.

8. White Flowers 🌼

   White flowers, especially chrysanthemums, are associated with mourning and are commonly seen at funerals. In Chinese culture, gifting white flowers can symbolize sorrow, grief, or even death. To bring good fortune, opt for bright, colorful flowers like red peonies or orchids, which signify joy and prosperity.

9. Empty Wallets or Purses 👜

   Gifting an empty wallet or purse is seen as a wish for financial difficulty. In Feng Shui, a wallet or purse symbolizes prosperity, and an empty one signifies lack. To ensure a positive gesture, place a small amount of money or a lucky coin inside the wallet before gifting, symbolizing wealth and abundance.

10. Books 📚

    In certain Chinese dialects, the word for “book” is a homophone for “lose.” Books, therefore, can be interpreted as symbolizing loss. During the auspicious occasion of Chinese New Year, avoid giving books as they might unintentionally wish the recipient financial or emotional loss.

11. Pointy-Leafed Plants 🌵

    Plants with sharp or pointed leaves, such as some types of cacti or succulents, can create “poison arrows,” a concept in Feng Shui where pointed shapes or edges direct negative energy towards those nearby. For indoor settings, choose plants with round leaves, which are more harmonious and auspicious. If you choose a snake plant with pointed leaves, consider tying a red ribbon around the plant to symbolically “tame” its energy, directing it upward toward prosperity rather than facing those in the room.

12. Hand Fans 🌬️

    Hand fans, although useful and decorative, can carry an unfortunate connotation of “scattering” energy. Feng Shui sees fans as potentially disrupting unity, creating distance rather than fostering close connections. As such, they are best avoided as gifts for the New Year.

Choosing Fortunate Gifts 🎉

To ensure your gift brings positive energy and aligns with Chinese New Year’s spirit, consider lucky and harmonious items instead. Here are some favorable alternatives:

🎨 Colors of the year 2025

• Red Envelopes with Money 🧧 – Filled with coins or bills, they symbolize luck, wealth, and prosperity.
• Fruit Baskets 🍊 – Particularly with oranges or tangerines, which represent abundance and good health.
• Bamboo Plants 🎍 – Known for their resilience and symbolism of growth and strength.
• Crystal Items ✨ – Amethyst or rose quartz stones are believed to bring peace, harmony, and emotional well-being.

Choosing an auspicious gift doesn’t just follow tradition; it reflects thoughtfulness and respect, fostering good relationships and harmony as you enter the Year of the Wood Snake. By keeping these Feng Shui principles in mind, your gifts will not only be well-received but also bring blessings for a prosperous New Year.