October 03, 2025 • HoRod

Why the Gourd (Hulu) Is a Powerful Feng Shui Symbol: 10 Magical Uses at Home

The gourd, or Hulu, has long been regarded as a mystical object in Feng Shui. In many cultures, the gourd is worshiped as an ancestral symbol of humanity. In myths and folk tales, the gourd often accompanies immortals and heroes, seen as a sacred vessel that brings blessings, good fortune, and protection against evil.

Many deities, immortal beings, and legendary doctors are depicted carrying gourds—such as Iron-Crutch Li from the Eight Immortals, the God of Longevity, or Ji Gong the monk. In ancient China, practicing medicine was often referred to with terms like hanging the gourd (xuan hu), which symbolized curing the world with compassion.

If you look closely, the gourd’s curved S-shape resembles the flowing lines of the Taiji (yin-yang) diagram. Symbolically, the word Hulu sounds like Fu Lu (福禄), meaning “blessings and prosperity.” Its vines, called mandai, sound like wan dai (万代), or “for generations.” Thus, the gourd represents “fortune and prosperity for generations.” Because gourds naturally carry many seeds, they are also symbols of fertility and abundant offspring.

For these reasons, the gourd has always been considered a sign of good luck, health, longevity, and prosperity. It is not only a beautiful ornament but also a powerful Feng Shui tool for absorbing negative energy and enhancing good fortune. With its small mouth and wide belly, it is said to collect positive energy and trap harmful influences. That is why gourds are often displayed in homes, offices, and even shops.

So, what are the Feng Shui effects of hanging a gourd at home?

1. Neutralizing Outdoor Sha Energy

If your windows face hospitals, cemeteries, funeral homes, slaughterhouses, or even police stations, prisons, landfills, or sharp building corners, these bring harmful energy (sha qi). Over time, they can affect wealth, health, emotions, and relationships. Hanging a blessed gourd inside the window, directly facing the source, can help absorb and dissolve this negative energy.

2. Clearing Indoor Negative Energy

Older houses may lose their positive energy over time, or second-hand homes may carry lingering “bad luck” if previous residents experienced misfortune or death. Signs include discomfort, nightmares, poor health after moving in, frequent conflicts, or declining career luck. Hanging gourds in bedrooms, living rooms, and entrances can help restore balance and harmony.

3. Reducing Bathroom Pollution

Bathrooms naturally generate heavy, stagnant energy. If located in important directions, they can bring problems:

• Northwest (male head of the family, career)

• Southwest (female head, health and marriage)

• Northeast (overall family luck)

• East (sons)

• Southeast (daughters)

Placing a gourd in these positions can reduce harmful influence and protect the family’s well-being.

4. Dissolving Annual Illness Stars

In Flying Star Feng Shui, the “Five Yellow” and “Two Black” stars are linked with illness. The gourd, a traditional symbol of medicine and healing, is especially effective at absorbing these negative energies. Placing gourds in these sectors each year helps protect health.

5. Remedying Beam Pressure

Exposed beams over beds, sofas, or desks create subconscious pressure, causing restlessness, nightmares, and even illness. Hanging a gourd beneath the beam can help neutralize this effect. 

6. Preventing Energy Loss

When doors align with windows or too many windows exist, positive energy flows out too quickly, making it hard to keep wealth. Hanging gourds near windows helps store energy, improving health and financial stability.

7. Absorbing Illness Energy

If a family member is seriously ill, placing a gourd by their bedside can symbolically absorb sickness. Once they recover, the gourd should be placed under sunlight to release the energy and recharge.

8. Calming Noise Sha

Homes near highways, airports, or construction sites may suffer from noise pollution. While a gourd cannot reduce the volume, placing one near the bed helps calm emotions and reduce stress caused by noise.

9. Attracting Wealth and Fortune

With its small opening and large belly, the gourd is seen as a container of wealth. Placing it in the wealth position of the home or office symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and financial stability. The seeds inside also represent fertility and thriving descendants.

10. Placement Tips for Gourds

• At the Entrance: Wards off evil, attracts good fortune, and welcomes blessings into the home.

• In the Bedroom: Brings vitality. For couples, it symbolizes children; for the elderly, longevity.

• In the Living Room: Place at the wealth corner to store prosperity. For best results, use a blessed or consecrated gourd.

From ancient mythology to modern Feng Shui practice, the gourd (Hulu) has always been a symbol of blessings, protection, and prosperity. Whether used to dissolve negative energy, protect health, attract wealth, or bring harmony, this humble object has become one of the most cherished Feng Shui tools. By placing gourds wisely in your home, you can invite peace, fortune, and well-being for generations.