Three pairs of blue fu dogs

Luck Giver's Guide: 8 Auspicious Gift Ideas

Everyone could use a little luck. Why not gift it to that special someone in your life? Here are eight auspicious ways to let them know you're wishing them good fortune.

Lucky cats

One white lucky cat

No list of lucky gift ideas would be complete without our signature maneki-neko “waving” cat. These fortunate felines have different meanings depending on paw and color. A raised right paw draws prosperity while a beckoning left means more customers. White attracts happiness while black protects from illness. Gold is supposed to bring wealth, and pink is believed to make you lucky in love. 

Want even more feline gifts? Check out are gift guide for cat lovers. Learn more about the maneki-neko at our post on cats in Asian culture.

Money toads

Money toad

This mythical creature is believed to attract wealth and prosperity. See one near your home or business during a full moon? Lucky you: good news about money might be coming your way. Or so says Chinese myth.

For full effectiveness:

  • Don’t put the toad on the floor
  • Don’t put it in the bathroom or bedroom
  • Place it near your front door facing into your home
  • Put a lucky coin in its mouth (if it doesn’t already have one)

Ingots

Mr. Chen with basket full of gold ingots

What the heck’s an ingot? It’s any mass of a pure metal, in this case gold. Once used as currency, they’re now considered good luck. In fact it’s believed the dumpling, a lucky food to eat during the New Year, was shaped to resemble this precious symbol.

Cabbages

Cabbage figurines

While the cabbage might seem humble, in Chinese culture it actually represents prosperity. That’s because its name — “bai cai” or white vegetable — is a pun for “100 wealth.” Learn more about the value of this vegetable in Chinese culture.

Fu dogs

Three pairs of blue fu dogs

Two fu dogs near the entrance of a home or workplace is believed to protect against negative energy. While commonly referred by a canine moniker, they're actually not dogs but lions. However, because lions weren't native to ancient China, their image was part imagination, part native Chinese cur (we think the Pekingese bears a striking resemblance). Also known as guardian lions the fu dogs always come in pairs. The male is identified by the world beneath its foot while under the female's paw is a lion cub. 

Elephants

Green elephant figurines

The elephant is treasured in many Asian cultures, from the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to the Year of the Elephant of the Thai zodiac. You can embrace the elephant’s wisdom, strength, and protection by placing a one or two at your front door facing inward. Keep in mind that a lifted trunk means good luck while a lowered trunk represents determination. Learn more about the significance of elephants in Asian cultures.

Buddhas

Colorful mini Buddhas

Include a Buddha figurine in your home or office for good vibrations. Each type attracts a different kind of positive energy.

  • Laughing Buddhas — Good luck, success, happiness
  • Sleeping Buddha — Peace and calm
  • Meditating Buddha — Positive energy for career and blessings
  • Buddha head — Strong and centering energy
  • Buddha on a lotus base — Spiritual growth and cultivation

Want to learn more? Check out our posts on the symbolic positions of the Buddha and what they mean as well as six playful pieces of trivia about the laughing Buddha, Budai.

Fish items

Red snapper tea cups

There’s a reason our logo is the double fish. The Chinese word for fish, yu, is a homophone for “abundance” and “riches.” That’s why the aquatic creatures make many an appearance on Asian ceramics, scrolls, jewelry, and more. The double fish is one of the eight Buddhist treasures and represents happiness, fertility, and abundance. Learn more about the meaning of fish in Asian cultures.

Best of Luck Friendship Box

Best of Luck Friendship Box

Give them a whole lot of luck with the Best of Luck of Friendship Box. Besides fortunate figurines, it includes auspicious candies, a teacup, stickers, and more. (Please note substitutions may be made depending on availability.)

And if you want even more ideas, check out all of our gift guides.

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