8 Chinese Characters That Bring Good Luck

As Chinese New Year slithers closer, it’s time to embrace the year of the Snake—a year of transformation, wisdom, and, of course, luck! Chinese New Year is a season of good food, great company and even greater vibes. From reunion dinners to tossing Yee Sang higher than your hopes for the year, there’s no shortage of traditions that bring luck. 

But what about the words we use? Here’s a list of 8 Chinese characters that will supercharge your Lunar New Year spirit.

1. 福 (Fú) – Blessings

福 is the OG of Chinese New Year words. It represents blessings, happiness and good fortune. You’ll often see it plastered on doors, but here’s a twist: it’s usually hung upside down. Why? Because “倒 (dào)” (upside down) sounds like “到 (dào)” (arrive). An upside-down 福 means “blessings have arrived.”

So, if you are aiming to “turn your luck around,” literally flipping 福 is your first step. It’s like feng shui for your wall—easy, effective and totally photo-worthy for the ’Gram!

2. 寿 (Shòu) – Longevity

寿 represents long life and good health, making it a must-have during this festive season. It’s not just for your grandparents—it’s a universal blessing for everyone to stay as strong and healthy as ever.

If you are attending a reunion dinner, look out for the longevity noodles. Remember, the longer the noodle, the longer the life—so no cutting or biting, even if it’s awkwardly long! Slurp away for that good juju.

3. 健 (Jiàn) – Health

Speaking of slurping, 健 is all about health and wellness, something we all wish for, especially after indulging in too much pineapple tart goodness. 健 serves as a reminder to stay fit and energised throughout the year.

Pair 健 with a little tai chi in the mornings or a post-dinner walk to burn off all those bak kwa calories. After all, wealth is nothing without health, right?

4. 财 (Cái) – Wealth

财 is the word everyone secretly loves the most—money. Whether it’s through a big business deal or just angpaos from your generous relatives, 财 is the superstar of Lunar New Year vibes.

Pro tip: When you yell “HUAT AH!” at your Yee Sang toss, you’re basically summoning 财. The louder your shout, the greater the huat—just don’t knock over the table, okay?

5. 吉 (Jí) – Good Luck

吉 is the Chinese word for luck, and honestly, who doesn’t need a little more of it? You’ll see 吉 in blessings like “大吉大利” (Dà jí dà lì), meaning “great luck and great profit.”

For Malaysians, 吉 pairs perfectly with 鸡 (jī, chicken), because they sound alike. Whether it’s soy sauce chicken or deep-fried wings, serve it up at your reunion dinner to double the auspicious vibes.

6. 旺 (Wàng) – Flourishing

旺 is all about prosperity, energy and success. This character is often associated with 旺旺 (Wang Wang), the famous snacks that are practically edible luck.

Keep 旺 in mind if you want your career, business, or even your social life to flourish. In 2025, let’s glow up together and make our goals as vibrant as a lion dance troupe on firecrackers!

7. 喜 (Xǐ) – Happiness

喜 is the literal embodiment of joy. You’ve probably seen the doubled version, 喜喜, at weddings, but it’s also perfect for Chinese New Year.

Whether it’s winning big at blackjack or not spilling tea on your cheongsam, 喜 is all about the little moments that spark joy. With the family reunions, angpaos and endless feasts, this character will be working overtime in your life.

8. 八 (Bā) – Eight

For the eighth character in this article, 八 is the luckiest number in Chinese culture. Why? It sounds like “发” (Fā), which means to prosper or make a fortune.

It’s why people pay crazy amounts for license plates or phone numbers with lots of 8s. This year, embrace 八 energy and let your luck and wealth snowball. Double the 8s, and you’re practically untouchable!

Ready to make this Chinese New Year even more prosperous? MyRehat is offering up to 50% off on selected accommodations and activities to kickstart your year of the snake.

“Huat” are you waiting for? Let’s get booking at www.myrehat.com. Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us at MyRehat!

To learn more about the Year of the Snake and its significance, visit this informative guide:

https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/news/china/article/3295411/year-of-snake-2025/index.html