The Wu Lou (葫蘆) is also known as Hulu, bottle gourd, calabash, or wu luo. It’s sometimes referred to as a calabash since the gourds grow from a calabash tree. It is a fruit in its natural state, and when dried, it was historically used to store medicine or water, hence the title “giver of life.”
A hollowed-out Wu Lou was utilized in ancient Chinese culture as a water container and was essential for surviving on lengthy voyages. Chinese doctors used the Wu Lou to carry medications safely as they traveled from place to place. These historical applications have given rise to the Wu Lou symbol as a healing talisman.
Then there’s Wu Lou’s legendary past. This object was frequently depicted as a tool employed by Taoist deities and monks to entrap malevolent spirits. As a result, it became an iconic Feng Shui symbol that collects and keeps bad energy from creating havoc.
Table of Contents
1. History and Background of Gourds
- Other Names and Uses of Gourds
- Traditional Uses: Container for Medicine and Water
- Symbolic Status in Feng Shui and Taoism
2. Symbolism of Gourds in Feng Shui
- Symbol of Longevity and Protection
- Meaning of Shapes that Unite Heaven and Earth
- Feng Shui Effects and Enhancement of Wishes
3. Sacredness of Gourds
- Connection to So, the God of Longevity, and Other Deities
- Symbol of Healing in Taoism and Buddhism
4. Feng Shui Uses of Gourds
- Improve Health and Well-Being
- Prevent Accidents
- Attract Wealth
- Protect Against Malevolence and Negative Energy
- Personal Growth and Heart Chakra Healing
5. Use of Gourds in Different Areas of the Home
- Love and Relationships (Southwest)
- Children and Ancestors (West)
- Career and Fortune (North)
- Academic Achievement (Northeast)
- Health (East)
- Wealth and Fame (Southeast, South)
6. Materials and types of gourds
- Different materials (e.g. metal, jade, wood, glass, etc.)
- The meaning of tassels and carvings
7. Common special gourd types
- Obsidian gourd: ward off bad luck
- Copper Eight Immortals gourd: Bring good luck and health
- Obsidian bracelet: Wearing guide to enhance Feng Shui fortune
8. How to deal with a damaged gourd
- Feng Shui advice: Proper treatment to ensure good luck
9. Conclusion
- The many uses of gourds as Feng Shui amulets
The gourd can now be constructed of metal, jade, or brass. It comes in a variety of colors, including red, green, black, pink, and gold.
It is frequently used as an offering in Chinese temples because it represents longevity and good health. Certain deities, most notably Ji Gong Huo Fo ( 濟公活佛) and Tie Guai Li (鐵拐李) are shown holding the wu lou.
It may be used in a variety of ways to attract positive feng shui. But first, let’s look at the symbolism and meaning.
Gourd: Symbols and Meanings in Feng Shui
In Feng Shui, the gourd is seen as a symbol of longevity and protection, especially in Buddhist and Taoist cultures, where it represents health and well-being. The gourd’s unique shape symbolizes the unity of heaven and earth, with the upper half representing heaven and the lower half representing earth, implying harmony between heaven and earth. Its “8” shape is also believed to attract wealth and success, and even has the magical ability to transform problems and overcome challenges.
As a wish enhancer, the gourd also has a special purpose: a wish list can be placed inside the gourd and a red string tied around the neck of the gourd to strengthen the energy and make the wish come true.
In addition, Taoist monks often use gourds to capture evil spirits, which also makes the gourd a Feng Shui tool for absorbing negative energy in the environment. For areas in the home or office with poor Feng Shui, gourds are often used for Feng Shui healing.
Today, gourds are often seen in metal or wooden statues, as well as ceramic vases or lamp designs, which not only enhance the beauty of the space but also bring Feng Shui blessings. They are classic and practical home decorations.
The Sacredness of the Wulou
In Asian legend, the Wulou (gourd) is closely associated with the god of longevity, Suo, who is believed to be the guardian of the elixir of life. In addition, Buddha and Avalokitesvara often hold Wulou, symbolizing the healing energy bestowed by the gods on the world. Ancient monks and physicians often used Wulou to store medicines, believing that the special shape of the container would enhance the efficacy of the medicine. This also formed the symbolic meaning of Wulou connecting heaven and earth, implying the unity of gods and humans.
How to use Wulou as a Feng Shui Symbol
In Feng Shui, the gourd is regarded as a powerful Feng Shui symbol because its unique shape helps absorb negative energy and improve the energy of the environment. Therefore, many families and businesses place gourd statues or ornaments in the space to improve Feng Shui. In modern Feng Shui applications, gourd accessories such as bracelets, pendants and earrings are also very popular.
The Feng Shui effects of using Wulou are as follows:
- Improve health and well-being
Placing Wulou at the head of or beside the bed can help strengthen the body and speed up recovery. If your family is not in good health, you can also place it in the rest area or the "health corner" (east side in Feng Shui Bagua) to improve health energy.
- Prevent accidents and mishaps
It is said that the Wulou can prevent accidents and disasters. Placing it at home can bring a sense of security, and placing it on the desk can transfer negative energy. At the same time, placing the Wulou in the car can also reduce the risk of accidents and help keep driving safe.
By using the Wulou properly in your life, you can absorb negative energy, promote health and prevent accidents. It is an important Feng Shui tool for achieving a harmonious life.
Attract Luck and Wealth
The gourd, also known as the "wealth gourd", is an excellent symbol of wealth in Feng Shui. People believe that its shape is perfect for attracting wealth: the top is spacious to absorb good luck, and the wide bottom is easy to hold wealth, and it also symbolizes the power of heaven and earth.
Some designs of gourds are open at the top to hold items that symbolize wealth, such as money or ingots. To attract wealth, it is recommended to wear jade gourd jewelry with you, such as key chains, bracelets or necklaces, and keep it in your handbag or car to continue to bring good luck.
Protect against malicious intent
The obsidian gourd has a powerful protective energy that is used to resist attacks from malicious intent, especially to prevent rumors or negative energy in the workplace. Placing an obsidian gourd on your desk or wearing an obsidian gourd jewelry can effectively help resolve the bad intentions of others.
Promote personal growth and emotional healing
Gourds made of rose quartz are often used to enhance personal development, especially in promoting emotional empathy. Wearing a rose quartz gourd jewelry can help to increase emotional connection with others while strengthening inner love and understanding.
Heart Chakra Healing
The rose quartz gourd is believed to open and heal the heart chakra, especially for those who are experiencing emotional pain or trauma. Placing this gourd in a personal space or wearing it with you can help restore peace of mind.
Repel Negative Energy
Placing an open gourd at the entrance of a house can also help to block negative energy. The wulou is said to capture evil spirits or negative entities that try to enter the home, making it a powerful symbol for home protection.
Place the gourd as you wish
Placing gourds in different areas of your home or office can effectively stimulate the Feng Shui energy of the corresponding areas. By choosing the right direction and material, you can use gourds to enhance specific fortunes.
Relationships and Love
The southwest direction represents love and relationships. To stimulate this energy, you can place a rose quartz gourd in the southwest corner. Rose quartz symbolizes love and passion, and is perfect for the southwest area of the house or the southwest corner of the bedroom to increase emotional energy and harmony.
Bring Good Luck to Children
The west represents the fortune of descendants and is ruled by the gold element. To activate the auspicious aura of the west, you can place a brass or other metal gourd in the west position of your home to help your children gain good fortune and blessings.
Attracting Noble Luck
The northwest direction governs noble luck and relationships. You can place a brass or metal gourd in this direction to attract the luck of supporters and mentors, especially in the northwest corner of your home or office.
Career Enhancement
The north is the direction of career luck and is ruled by the water element. Metal can generate water, so placing a brass or metal gourd in the north area can help enhance career luck and development prospects. It is suitable to be placed in the north corner of your home or work space to help your career rise steadily and improve your position in the workplace.
Better results in education
The northeast is the direction of academic luck, which is dominated by the earth element. To improve your academic luck, it is recommended to place a jade or other stone gourd in the northeast corner of your home or workplace to activate the earth element energy in this direction. For students, you can carry a small stone gourd amulet with you to help focus and improve learning results. Gourds can be used as amulets, jewelry, or keychains to bring good luck at any time.
Improve and protect health
The east is in charge of health luck and is related to the wood element. Placing a real or wooden gourd in the east of your home or office can help improve your health luck. For personal feng shui, you can also choose wooden gourd jewelry, such as pendants or keychains, and carry them with you to increase your health energy.
Wealth and abundance
The southeast direction is dominated by wealth luck and is dominated by the wood element. To enhance wealth luck, you can place a wooden gourd in the southeast direction to use the wood element to attract wealth and prosperity energy, making the family's financial resources more abundant.
Recognition and reputation
The south is related to reputation luck and is controlled by the fire element. You can place a wooden gourd in the south, as wood can generate fire, which helps to increase fame and recognition. Placing a wooden gourd in the south of your home or workplace, or placing a gourd in the southeast corner, can further activate reputation and wealth in your career.
Types of Wu Lou Gourds
Before you buy Wu Lou gourds, you need to be familiar with the many sorts of gourds. They are available in metal, brass, jade, calabash, wood, and glass. Tassels, emblems, and engravings can also be added to them. Choose carefully which ones you buy from a Chinese store that knows which ones will work best for your needs and goals.
Health Benefits of Black Ulu
The obsidian gourd is closely related to health, especially in Feng Shui, where it is seen as a symbol of protection and health enhancement. The gourd is often associated with the God of Longevity and is a symbol of longevity and health. If you or your family are in poor health, you can place the gourd in a healthy position to increase health energy. The gourd is believed to help bless family members and help longevity. In particular, placing a gourd on each side of the bed can help prevent disease.
Uses of Obsidian Ulu
1. Relieve bad luck: Wearing an obsidian gourd can turn bad luck into good luck and protect you from negative energy. It works best when it touches the body.
2. Car pendant: Hanging an obsidian gourd in the car can help avoid traffic accidents, especially when traveling long distances.
3. Hanging at the four corners of the bed: Hanging an obsidian gourd at the four corners of the bed can resist harmful gases and evil spirits and create a peaceful sleeping environment.
4. Arrangement under the bed: Arrange seven obsidian gourds in parallel under the bed, which is said to enhance the body's resistance and help the elderly live longer.
5. Daily exorcism: If you have bad luck, you can carry a small obsidian gourd with you to absorb the negative energy around you. After absorption, it should be cleaned with running water to ensure that the gourd continues to be effective. It can be placed in a place where you often move around, or on your desk to absorb bad energy at work.
Copper Eight Immortals Gourd
The Eight Immortals are mythological figures in Taoism, representing positive energies such as health, good luck, wealth and longevity. Each of the Eight Immortals has a unique protective item (such as a fan, sword, etc.), which symbolizes different protection and blessings. Placing a copper Eight Immortals Gourd statue at home or in the workplace can bring good luck and positive energy to the family, and is an ideal gift for the elders.
Obsidian Ulu Bracelet
Wearing an obsidian gourd bracelet can effectively absorb negative energy, especially to protect you in the workplace. Here are some things to keep in mind when wearing it:
- Avoid wearing it while sleeping and put it in a clean box.
- Avoid wearing it in the bathroom or while taking a shower.
- No one should touch it except you; if someone touches it accidentally, clean the bracelet with clean water.
- Wear it with respect and trust to enhance its positive effects.
These Feng Shui methods help you use gourds to protect your health, increase your good fortune, and bring peace and tranquility.
What to do if your Ulu is damaged?
In Feng Shui, any damaged item in the home will bring bad energy. Therefore, it is not advisable to keep a damaged Ulu in the home to avoid affecting your good fortune. However, Ulu should be handled with caution and should not be discarded casually. It is recommended to clean it up, dispose of it properly, and keep the home tidy to improve the overall energy flow. This is in line with the principles of Feng Shui and helps maintain a good environment.
Final Thoughts
Ulu is a versatile and effective Feng Shui amulet that can help you improve your health, attract good luck, and even ward off negative energy. Whether used for decoration or carried with you, Ulu can bring positive effects to your life on different levels.
Don't hesitate to try to use this classic Feng Shui symbolism and integrate it into your living space to enjoy the peace and blessings it brings!
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