As a sacred Feng Shui item, gourds (húlu) are best placed in auspicious positions like wealth areas or official positions to enhance positive energy. The wealth area is typically found at the main wealth spot in the living room (diagonally opposite the main entrance) or calculated based on the Nine Palaces Flying Stars theory. Placing a gourd here can form a "Qi accumulation formation," aiding career advancement and financial prosperity. 

If a house has missing corners or inauspicious "sickness" stars like the Five Yellow or Two Black, place the gourd in these negative positions. The gourd's "evil absorption" characteristic can neutralize malevolent energy and balance the Yin-Yang magnetic field. It's crucial that the gourd's opening faces the source of the negative energy, and it should be periodically purified with cinnabar.

Avoid Bathrooms: Prevent Foul Energy Intrusion

In Feng Shui, bathrooms are considered "water sha" (negative water energy) and conflict with the gourd's "fire element." If a gourd directly faces a toilet, it can easily absorb filth, leading to financial stagnation and health issues for residents. This is especially true if the bathroom door is adjacent to the kitchen or bedroom; in such cases, avoid placing the gourd in the hallway or the center of the living room. To remedy this, you can hang a brass bell in the bathroom or place a white jade gourd. Alternatively, carving an Eight Trigrams (Bagua) design on the gourd's surface can enhance its protective effects.

Main Entrance for Home Protection: Double Fortune and Prosperity

Hanging a gourd (preferably brass or natural wood carving) outside the main entrance creates a "gourd swallowing sha" formation, blocking external negative energy while attracting wealth and beneficial relationships. If the door faces north or northwest, it's recommended to wrap the gourd with Five Emperor Coins to strengthen its protective power. A pair of gourds can also be placed in the indoor entryway, symbolizing "double blessings at the door," which is especially suitable for business owners looking to boost customer flow and reputation.

Living Room for Wealth Generation: Lasting Prosperity

When placing a gourd next to the living room sofa or on the TV cabinet, accurately pinpoint the bright wealth spot (typically about 45 centimeters from the main entrance). You can place cinnabar or crystals inside the gourd, and its effectiveness is enhanced after being blessed by a Taoist master. If the residence faces west to east, a yellow jade gourd is recommended to strengthen the earth element's energy. If the wealth area has a missing corner, use a brass gourd to fill it, as its "closed mouth" shape can prevent wealth from escaping. Remember to regularly fumigate the gourd with sandalwood to maintain its spiritual potency.

Bedroom for Enhanced Luck: Thriving Family

For bedroom placement, put a gourd on the bedside table or dressing table. Opt for a natural waist-shaped gourd or one carved with dragon and phoenix motifs, symbolizing Yin-Yang harmony. Newlyweds can hang an even number of gourds (e.g., three, a lucky number) above their bed to enhance marital bliss. For elders, placing a purple clay gourd next to their bed with mugwort inside for fumigation can help ward off illness and extend lifespan. Avoid placing gourds under overhead beams, and gourds should not face bedroom mirrors to prevent reflecting negative energy.

The area beneath staircases is considered a "moving line sha," where conflicting airflow can weaken the gourd's efficacy. Long-term placement here might deplete the gourd's spiritual energy. If space is limited, move the gourd to a staircase landing or use a metal gourd to enhance its resistance to impact. Additionally, when hanging a gourd in the central atrium of a duplex, avoid the central axis of a spiral staircase to prevent forming a "twisting sha" formation.