Feng Shui Gift Taboos For Couples: 7 Items to Avoid In 2025

Recent quantitative research surveying 11 experts and 67 feng shui practitioners revealed that most agree on common feng shui gift taboos for couples - yet in reality, most couples choose gifts based on personal emotions rather than traditional rules.

The truth is: understanding feng shui isn't about becoming superstitious, but about showing cultural respect and avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings in love.

Below are 7 gifts to carefully consider when gifting your romantic partner and how to choose presents more wisely - to make your love more complete. Discover with CHUS!

Why Consider Feng Shui When Choosing Romantic Gifts?

1. The Importance of Feng Shui Beliefs in Love

Feng shui is considered a discipline studying energy and balance in life. When gifting your partner, you're not just giving a material object but also conveying your emotions and intentions.

According to traditional beliefs, every item has its own unique "energy field." Bad luck gifts for romantic partners are typically items that can create:

• Negative psychology for the recipient
• Unfavorable associations in culture
• Feelings of unease or subconscious worry

However, remember these are reference beliefs only - they shouldn't completely control your decisions.

Every gift carries energy that influences relationships

2. Psychological Impact of Giving Feng Shui-Inappropriate Gifts

In the five elements system, every color, material, and shape has specific meaning. When choosing romantic gift taboos, you might inadvertently create conflicts in your relationship:

• Energy of separation: Some items symbolize division
• Weakening energy: Affects health and spirit
• Unstable energy: Causes unnecessary arguments and misunderstandings

Psychological research shows that believing in a gift's meaning can actually influence emotions and behavior:

• Psychological effect: Knowing a gift has "bad" meaning can cause anxiety
• Cultural pressure: In traditional environments, giving inappropriate gifts can cause misunderstandings
• Subconscious impact: Negative symbols can affect mood without awareness

Notably, a recent quantitative feng shui study surveyed 11 experts and 67 feng shui practitioners on 108 taboos. Results showed most agreed with common prohibitions. Therefore, understanding these principles helps you choose gifts more wisely - not from superstition but from respect and sensitivity.

The gift you give your partner may carry messages you never expected

What Not to Gift Your Romantic Partner?

Based on principles from multiple cultures and feng shui knowledge from expert Carol M. Olmstead, here are 7 feng shui gift taboos for couples:

Olmstead states: "When you give gifts with sharp edges, they symbolize cutting relationships; if your gift is hollow, they symbolize financial resource shortage; and when your gift shows time, they symbolize limited lifespan." From this, here are gifts to avoid:

1. Clocks - Symbol of Ending Time

Clocks are the most common bad luck gifts in feng shui taboo lists.

Reasons for avoidance:

• Symbolizes "counting down" relationship time
• Continuous ticking can create psychological pressure
• In Chinese culture, giving clocks carries the bad message of "sending off" (According to Wikipedia)

>>> Learn more: Why Shouldn’t You Give a Watch or a Clock as a Birthday Gift?

Potential harm:

• Creates rushed feelings, unnaturalness in love
• Causes time pressure, making relationships tense
• Symbol of endings and separation

Clocks carry messages about endings

2. Mirrors - Reflecting Negative Energy

Mirrors are considered romantic gift taboos due to their special reflective properties.

Reasons for avoidance:

• Reflect and amplify negative energy
• Easily broken, symbolizing love's fragmentation
• Many believe they contain spirits

Potential harm:

• Increases likelihood of arguments and misunderstandings
• Creates feelings of unease and worry
• Affects sleep and mental health

Mirrors may bring omens about spirits

3. Handkerchiefs - Symbol of Tears and Separation

Handkerchiefs are among feng shui gift taboos for couples rooted in ancient folk beliefs.

Reasons for avoidance:

• Associated with tears and sadness
• The saying "gift handkerchief, gift tears" shows bad omens
• Symbol of "wiping away" affection

Potential harm:

• Brings feelings of sadness and negativity
• Creates associations with separation and breakup
• Affects mood and positive emotions

>>> Learn more: Why Not Gift a Handkerchief or Scarf to Your Lover? Is It Really That Bad?

Handkerchiefs are linked with tears

4. Cups, Glasses, Mugs - "Separation" in Love

Glass cups and ceramic mugs are bad luck gifts due to concerning homophones.

Reasons for avoidance:

• "Cup" sounds like "separation" in Vietnamese and Chinese
• Easily broken, symbolizing fragility
• Water in cups can "dry up" like love

Potential harm:

• Creates negative psychology about love's durability
• Causes worry whenever the gift is used
• Bad omen for division and breakup

>>> Learn more: Is Gifting a Mug to Your Partner a Good Choice?

Cups and glasses can bring feelings of breakage

5. Shoes - "Walking Away" from Love

Shoes, especially high heels, are relationship feng shui items to avoid in many cultures.

Reasons for avoidance:

• Symbol of "going far," leaving
• Belief that giving shoes will "push people away"
• Can create distance in relationships

Potential harm:

• Creates feelings of not wanting to stay together
• Causes negative thoughts about shared future
• Taboo gift carrying energy of distance and separation

Shoes convey negative messages about leaving

6. White Flowers - Color of Funerals

White flowers are considered negative energy gifts due to special cultural meaning.

Reasons for avoidance:

• Associated with funerals and departure
• White color symbolizes endings
• Inappropriate for vibrant love atmosphere

Potential harm:

• Creates sad, gloomy feelings
• Associations with unfortunate events
• Affects mood and positive energy

White flowers are beautiful but bring sad feelings

7. Used Items, Secondhand - Energy of the Past

Used items are feng shui gift taboos for couples according to many feng shui experts.

Reasons for avoidance:

• Carry energy from previous owners
• May contain negative experiences
• Shows disrespect to recipient

Potential harm:

• Transfers bad energy from the past
• Creates feelings of not being valued
• May carry unwanted "karmic baggage"

>>> Read more: What Gifts Should You Never Give Your Partner? 9 Superstitions Debunked by Science

Secondhand items may cause many people concern

Feng Shui-Appropriate Gift Suggestions for Lovers

1. Gifts Carrying Positive Energy

Instead of giving bad luck gifts, choose presents with good meanings:

• Scented candles: Create cozy, romantic atmosphere
• Dried flower art in frames: Symbol of immortal beauty
• Keychains: Show connection and personalization
• Care gift sets: Send love through comprehensive care and attention

"Magic Care" Gift Box, Love Through Every Second, Exclusive Handcrafted Gift Set With Body Care Products, Unique Birthday Gift, Elegant Gift For Lover

912,500 ₫

20%

730,000 ₫

"Relaxing" Gift Box, Soothing Tranquil Moments, Premium Gift Set with Pink Salt Plus Fragrance Spray & Soap, Natural Ingredients, Luxury Gift

660,000 ₫

Personalized "Care" Gift Box, Share Love Uniquely, Exclusive Gift Set With Dream Pillow & Scented Candle, Gift Box With Card, Unique Personalized Gift

823,750 ₫

20%

659,000 ₫

"Beautiful Day" Gift Set, Embrace Freshness Daily, Women's Day Gift Box With Tea, Honey & Relaxation Products, Birthday Gift For Her, Health Gift

1,155,000 ₫

2. Personalized Gifts - Safe and Thoughtful Choice

Personalized gifts are always the best choice because they:

• Show special thoughtfulness and care
• Carry positive energy from the giver
• Create unique and meaningful memories

Custom Chibi Portrait Clay Magnet, Preserving Emotions Perfectly, Personalized Magnet, Personalized Clay Figurine, Vietnamese Souvenirs, Birthday Gift

320,000 ₫

10%

288,000 ₫

Personalized "Care" Gift Box, Share Love Uniquely, Exclusive Gift Set With Dream Pillow & Scented Candle, Gift Box With Card, Unique Personalized Gift

823,750 ₫

20%

659,000 ₫

Custom Printed T-Shirt, Design With Your Own Image & Message, Beautiful Gift Wrapping, Printed Tee, Premium Material, Birthday Gift, Personalized Gift

340,000 ₫

27%

249,000 ₫

Hand-Drawn Leather Keychain, Personalized Leather Keychain, Customized Valentine Gift, Name Engraving, Unique Leather Gifts, Unique Artistic Gifts

245,000 ₫

Bringing your loved one's image onto an embroidered tote bag full of meaning

Advice for Choosing Feng Shui-Appropriate Romantic Gifts

1. Common Feng Shui Misunderstandings

Many people tend to blindly trust feng shui while forgetting the human element:

Wrong concepts: Believing gifts determine all destiny Ignoring feelings: Placing feng shui rules above sincerity Imposing beliefs: Forcing others to follow your viewpoint

Instead of completely trusting or rejecting, take a balanced approach:

• Consider feng shui as reference, not absolute law
• Prioritize feelings and understanding the recipient
• Respect culture but don't let it completely control decisions

2. Smart and Thoughtful Gift Selection Principles

When choosing couple gift guide items, apply a balanced approach between respecting culture and maintaining sincere feelings:

Golden principles for gift selection:

• Understand the recipient: Personality, preferences, and level of feng shui belief
• Respect culture: Know basic taboos to avoid misunderstandings
• Prioritize emotions: Place sincerity above rigid rules
• Balance reality: Don't let feng shui beliefs completely dominate

Specific examples:

• If your partner believes in feng shui: Avoid the romantic gift taboos list
• If your partner doesn't care about feng shui: Focus on meaning and suitability but still prioritize positive gifts
• In traditional families: Show respect by avoiding sensitive gifts

Choose thoughtful gifts, balancing feng shui and recipient needs

Conclusion

Understanding feng shui gift taboos for couples helps you avoid unnecessary mistakes, showing respect for traditional culture and psychology. We hope this information about inappropriate gifts for lovers is useful to you.

However, instead of worrying too much about taboos, focus on choosing gifts that express sincere feelings and special care. The gift catalog for lovers on CHUS will accompany you with countless gifts for girlfriends and gifts for boyfriends with distinctive marks, supporting custom design!

FAQs

• Should I completely trust feng shui when giving gifts?
  The short answer is no. Feng shui is only a reference belief system, not absolute law. The most important thing remains sincere feelings and understanding the recipient.
• If my partner doesn't believe in feng shui, should I still care?
  Yes, but differently. Whether the recipient believes or not, understanding these concepts still has value, so consider choosing more positive items. Also, if you believe, giving inappropriate feng shui gifts can make you worry.
• What if I accidentally give a taboo gift to my partner?
  Don't panic! This is a very common situation that can be completely handled. Stay calm, remember everything is just reference. Then explain to your partner why you chose this gift, continue creating better memories to not affect the relationship.
• What are gifts you shouldn't give lovers?
  Items showing time (clocks), sharp objects (knives, scissors), or shoes are commonly considered restricted for romantic partners by many viewpoints.
• Should I give white gifts to my partner?
  Possible, but depends on the gift and circumstances. White carries both pure and negative meanings in culture. Avoid white flowers and white handkerchiefs as they easily suggest separation and funerals.