Five Emperor Coins: what they mean and where to hang them

Five Emperor Coins (五帝錢) are five round copper coins with square holes, tied together with red cord. Each comes from one of the five Qing dynasty emperors who ruled during the empire's strongest and most prosperous years.

The five emperors

Together they cover about 175 years of peace and trade. Tradition says their combined energy protects a home and draws in prosperity. The round edge stands for heaven and the square hole for earth.

Where to hang them

• By the front door, on the inside, or under the doormat, to welcome wealth and guard the entrance.
• In the wealth corner, diagonally across from the front door.
• At work, in a desk drawer or near the cash register.
• In the car, for safe travel.

Which side up?

The side with four Chinese characters is the “yang” side and usually faces out. Keep the coins clean and tied with red cord, which is the color of luck and protection.