15 Most Popular Chinese Good Luck Symbols and Their Meanings

Every Lunar New Year, my child comes home from school asking, “Mom, why does our classmate have a red paper with 金 upside down on the door?” As more American families join diversity celebrations at school or host cultural nights, Chinese good luck symbols pop up everywhere—on classroom doors, greeting cards, even Etsy necklaces. They’re beautiful, but what do they actually mean? Here are the 15 most beloved Chinese good luck symbols explained in kid-friendly language with easy pronunciations, so you and your children can enjoy and respect them together.

What Are Chinese Good Luck Symbols?

Imagine your child spotting a little red bat on a greeting card and shouting, “Mom, that’s not spooky, that’s GOOD LUCK!” That’s the magic of Chinese good luck symbols.

These are special pictures, objects, colors, animals, plants, and even single Chinese characters that carry big wishes for happiness, wealth, health, long life, and protection. You’ll see them everywhere during Lunar New Year (the biggest holiday in China), at weddings, birthdays, new baby celebrations, and even when someone opens a new store or moves into a new house.

The coolest part? A lot of the luck comes from “sound-alike” word play (called homophones) in the Chinese language. For example:

• The word for “bat” (蝙蝠 biānfū) sounds just like “good fortune” (福 fú), so a bat = instant luck!
• “Fish” (鱼 yú) sounds like “abundance” (余 yú), so pictures of fish mean your family will always have more than enough.
• Turning the character 福 (fú = happiness) upside down is extra lucky because “upside down” (倒 dào) sounds like “arrive” (到 dào), so it literally says “happiness arrives!”

Top 15 Chinese Good Luck Symbols

1. 福 Fú – Happiness & Good Fortune (pronunciation: foo)

It’s the #1 symbol you’ll see! The upside-down 福 is extra lucky because “upside down” (dào) sounds like “arrive” (dào), so “fú dào” means “good fortune arrives!”
At home: Print or draw a red 福, turn it upside down, and stick it on your fridge—good luck is coming!

2. 红灯笼 Red Lanterns – Joy & Warmth (hóng dēng long)

Round red lanterns light up homes like glowing smiles. Red means energy and happiness in Chinese culture.
At home: Hang dollar-store red paper lanterns in your playroom for instant festive vibes.

3. 龙 Dragon – Power & Success (lóng)

Dragons bring rain for crops and represent the emperor—super strong and kind!
At home: Let kids draw colorful dragons or wear dragon shirts on “culture day.”

4. 凤凰 Phoenix – Beauty & Peace (fèng huáng)

The phoenix is the queen to the dragon king; together they mean a perfect marriage and harmony.
At home: Make a phoenix craft with bright feathers for the art wall.

5. 红包 Red Envelope – Blessings & Money (hóng bāo)

Red envelopes with money inside wish kids good luck and prosperity.
At home: Give red envelopes with a dollar or kind note during family celebrations.

6. 锦鲤 Koi Fish – Perseverance & Wealth (jǐn lǐ)

Koi swim upstream and turn into dragons in legends—basically the “you can do it” symbol!
At home: Color koi pictures or keep a small koi plushie as a lucky charm.

7. 蝙蝠 Bat – Huge Blessings (biān fú)

“Bat” sounds exactly like “good fortune” in Chinese, so five bats = five blessings!
At home: Draw cute cartoon bats on cards (they’re lucky, promise!).

8. 如意 Ruyi Scepter – Everything Goes Your Way (rú yì)

Literally “as you wish”—this pretty ornament means all dreams come true.
At home: Use as a bookmark or keychain for daily good vibes.

9. 双喜 Double Happiness – Wedding Joy & Love (shuāng xǐ)

Two 喜 characters together celebrate marriage and happy relationships.
At home: Perfect for anniversary cards or Valentine crafts.

10. 元宝 Gold Ingot – Wealth (yuán bǎo)

Boat-shaped gold ingots were old Chinese money—now they just mean “rich!”
At home: Fold gold paper into ingot shapes for a treasure hunt.

11. 石榴 Pomegranate – Many Children & Abundance (shí liú)

Full of seeds = lots of kids and a full, happy life.
At home: Eat pomegranate together and count the seeds for fun.

12. 竹子 Bamboo – Strength & Growth (zhú zi)

Bamboo bends but never breaks and grows super fast—perfect for strong kids.
At home: Grow lucky bamboo on the windowsill.

13. 梅花 Plum Blossom – Courage in Tough Times (méi huā)

First flower to bloom in winter—brave and beautiful.
At home: Paint pink plum blossoms on winter artwork.

14. 寿桃 Longevity Peach – Long Healthy Life (shòu táo)

Peaches from fairy tales make you live forever—birthday favorite!
At home: Draw peaches on grandma’s birthday card.

15. 铜钱 Ancient Coins – Prosperity & Protection (tóng qián)

Round coins with square holes mean heaven and earth working together.
At home: String three coins with red ribbon and hang by the door.

Printable Good Luck Symbols Chart for Kids

How WuKong Education Brings These Symbols to Life in Chinese Class

At WuKong Chinese, we don’t just show pictures, we make the symbols jump, dance, and sing! Kids chant “福到福到好运到” while pasting upside-down 福, march in a dragon parade shouting “龙腾虎跃,” and act out the koi fish turning into dragons with scarves.

They fold real red envelopes, tie coin knots, and even taste pomegranate seeds while learning why each symbol matters. By the end of class, children aren’t memorizing—they’re living the culture and can’t wait to spot Chinese good luck symbols everywhere.

Want to know more? → Read the full story behind the Dragon Gate legend in our post: Chinese Dragon: The Ultimate Guide to the King of Mythical Creatures

Conclusion

Understanding Chinese good luck symbols is more than decoration—it’s a beautiful way to teach kids respect, word-play, and the idea that people around the world wish for the same things: health, happiness, and love. Imagine your child proudly explaining to their teacher why the bat is lucky or running to show you the lantern they made. Let them experience that joy in WuKong Chinese class—where they’ll write their own spring couplets, light up paper lanterns, and truly feel the warmth of these ancient blessings.

Ready to bring real Chinese good luck symbols into your home? Join WuKong Education today and watch your child light up brighter than any red lantern!

FAQ

Roxy | WuKong Chinese Teacher

I have been deeply involved in the K12 education field for many years, acquiring rich professional knowledge and experience. My extensive understanding of Chinese culture and education enhances my ability to integrate diverse educational methodologies. I hold a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Melbourne, which bolsters my expertise and pedagogical skills. Passionate about fostering educational environments that inspire and empower, I am committed to creating inclusive learning experiences. My aim is to positively impact students’ lives and equip them with tools for success in a globalized world.