Bats

To understand the importance and symbolism of Bats in Feng Shui, you have to let go of the Western association of bats with darkness and evil. In Chinese, the pinyin for bat (fook) is almost the same as the word for prosperity (fuk). The similarity reflects the Chinese belief that bats are symbols of good luck, wealth, success and prosperity that do double duty for the wearers of their charms by also warding off evil and negative energies.

The bat’s highly developed sensory skills are believed to be useful in picking-up on and drawing good chi. Science has proven that they can navigate confidently through the dark to discover the resources they need to survive and build and prosper in great colonies. The metaphor for this skill, when applied to the human experience, explains why so many people believe that their presence invites abundance and offers security.

If you look at drawings and block prints of Chinese emperors, you will notice that their robes are very often embroidered with bat symbols. The belief at the time was that by incorporating the symbolism of the bat, along with other auspicious symbols, increased the power of the garment or sword to bring luck, joy and success to its owner.

Here are some Feng Shui common placements of bat symbols and what they are believed to do for your life:

1. Place in your work place. This is from the belief that the Feng Shui bat both draws good in and turns bad away.
2. Bats can be displayed in many rooms of your home such as the bedroom, kitchen or library or even in your vehicle if you wish for protection and prosperity.
3. Bats are considered to increase your prosperity and career luck, by putting them near your front door where they can easily be seen it is thought to increase their influence in your fortunes.
4. Bats are thought to also be able to keep disease and illness from entering a home by being hung outside doors and windows.
5. To attract a patron or benefactor to mentor you to increase your success, it is believed that placing the metal bat in the Northwest area of your home will increase this happening. This particular form of luck is called “Nobleman Luck,” from the historic practice of noblemen lending a hand to help those less fortunate achieve their goals.

It is common to see images of five bats together, often in a circle. This is a symbol of the Wu Fu, or 5 energies, and believed to increase the presence of the 5 Blessings in your life. The 5 blessings are wellness, prosperity, satisfying relationships, good character and a natural death from old age. These blessings are said to be the beginning of eternal joy and enlightenment.

Bats are often depicted with other symbols to emphasize the perceived aspects of their ability to influence luck and prosperity. A bat that is shown with a gold coin in their mouth is thought to enhance wealth luck. A bat is depicted among flowers is meant to influence a different type of prosperity than that of money. A bat is considered to have Yang energy. Flowers represent Yin. When placed together, it is believed to bring balance and harmony between the energies in a space.