In East Asian cultures, particularly according to feng shui beliefs, each item in a home carries a specific energy that directly impacts the family’s luck, wealth, and peace. Some objects, despite their aesthetic appeal, rarity, or collectible value, may harbor negative energy and deplete good fortune if not handled carefully. Here are five types of items that you should avoid bringing home, even if you like them, to prevent any adverse effects on your family’s finances and well-being.
1. Antiques – Beautiful but Prone to Bad Luck
Antiques, especially those that are hundreds of years old, such as statues, ceramics, clocks, swords, or religious artifacts, attract collectors due to their unique beauty and historical value. However, according to feng shui, these items often absorb the energy of their previous owners, including resentment, negative karma, or harmful energy associated with disasters, wars, or sorrow.

Bringing antiques into your home without proper cleansing, especially those with unclear origins, can lead to a decline in your family’s luck, stagnation in your career, or even health issues and unwanted gossip. If you truly admire antiques, consult a feng shui master or an experienced individual before placing them in your home. It is advisable to keep your antique collection in a separate room.
2. Broken or Chipped Items – A Harbinger of Bad Luck
Many people tend to keep or reuse broken items such as cups, bowls, mirrors, or decorative statues. However, in feng shui, these damaged items symbolize breakage, deficiency, and disharmony within the family. Keeping them in your home is akin to holding onto bad luck.

Broken mirrors, in particular, are considered extremely unlucky and can attract negative energies, affecting the mental and physical health of family members. It is advisable to discard damaged items and replace them with new, intact ones to maintain positive energy in your living space.
3. Images or Statues of Wild Animals – Potential Source of Killing Chi
Statues or pictures of wild animals like tigers, leopards, snakes, or eagles, as well as taxidermied animals, may exude strength and artistic value, but their improper placement can increase killing chi in your home. These images represent power and authority but can also induce feelings of pressure, conflict, and anxiety if not positioned according to feng shui principles.

Real animal heads, horns, and furs require extra caution as they often carry yin energy, making them unsuitable for living spaces. If you wish to display such items, choose a spacious workspace or living room, avoiding bedrooms and common family areas.
4. Found Items – Potential Carriers of Negative Energy
Some people have a habit of picking up lost items like wallets, bracelets, rings, jewelry, or decorative objects, considering them “heaven’s blessings.” However, in feng shui, items with unclear origins are often believed to carry “resentful energy” and may have belonged to someone who has passed away or carry negative karma.

Bringing strange items into your home can disrupt the energy flow and invite misfortune, financial loss, or family disharmony. It is best to stay away from items with unknown owners and refrain from giving in to curiosity or greed, thus avoiding potential harm.
5. Religious Artifacts of Others – A Major Taboo
Some people may find old religious statues, altars, or tablets aesthetically pleasing and bring them home as decorative spiritual items. However, this is a significant taboo in feng shui. Religious artifacts are usually tied to a specific family and carry unique spiritual beliefs. Taking them without permission or performing a cleansing ritual can lead to a mix-up of yin and yang energies, causing chaos in your home’s energy field.

Additionally, improper worship or placement of these items can result in bad luck, affecting your health and career. Unless you have a deep understanding of religious beliefs and feng shui, it is best to refrain from bringing old spiritual items into your home.
Be a wise consumer and a cautious homeowner when considering bringing these items into your living space. Don’t let momentary impulses lead you to acquire seemingly harmless objects that may bring long-term complications. Maintaining a bright, clean, harmonious, and positively energized home is the key to attracting wealth and peace.
Reference for contemplation