Across cultures from China to India, certain animals have long carried a reputation for drawing prosperity to the households that keep them—beliefs rooted in feng shui, Vastu Shastra, and centuries of folklore rather than scientific evidence. Whether or not you put stock in these traditions, the symbolism behind them offers a fascinating window into how different cultures have thought about luck and abundance for generations. Here are ten pets most closely associated with wealth.
1. Cats
Cats top the list largely thanks to the maneki-neko, one of the most recognized symbols of prosperity in Japan and China, whose raised paw is believed to invite wealth into a home or business. Beyond the ceramic figurines seen in shop windows, many households extend this symbolism to real cats themselves, treating a resident cat as a living good-luck charm believed to draw fortune and ward off misfortune.
2. Koi Fish
In feng shui, fish are powerful symbols of wealth and renewal, with flowing water and swimming fish linked to abundance—making koi ponds a popular feature in homes and gardens specifically meant to welcome prosperity. The vivid orange and gold coloring of koi is often tied directly to imagery of gold and money flowing into a household.
3. Turtles and Tortoises
Tortoises are considered a powerful symbol of good luck and wealth in Chinese Feng Shui tradition, and keeping a tortoise—whether live or in figurine form—in the north or east part of the home is believed to bring longevity, harmony, career success, and courage. The mythical dragon tortoise, a hybrid creature combining a dragon’s head with a turtle’s body, is considered an especially potent symbol for attracting wealth and lasting success.
4. Rabbits
Rabbits hold a significant place in the Chinese zodiac, representing fertility, kindness, and abundance, with people born in the Year of the Rabbit thought to enjoy particularly good fortune. The folklore extends beyond astrology, too—the long-standing tradition of carrying a rabbit’s foot as a charm stems from the belief that the animal itself attracts prosperity and blessings.
5. Frogs
The image of a frog holding a coin in its mouth is one of the more recognizable wealth symbols in Chinese folklore, closely associated with attracting money and financial stability. This is often extended to pet frogs or ornamental frog figurines placed near entrances, meant to encourage wealth to flow into the household as visitors pass by.
6. Elephants
While not conventional household pets in most cultures, elephants appear frequently in wealth folklore and are sometimes kept in regions where doing so is culturally and legally significant. The elephant is associated with the Hindu god Ganesha and considered a symbol of power, wisdom, strength, and fertility, and placing an elephant figurine—trunk raised in trumpet fashion—facing a home’s entrance is believed to invite good luck and financial fortune.
7. Dogs (Especially Certain Breeds and Colors)
In several Asian traditions, dogs are viewed as protectors of household fortune rather than pure wealth magnets, with their loyalty and alertness believed to guard prosperity once it enters a home. Specific colors and zodiac associations carry added meaning—Chinese astrology treats the dog as one of the twelve zodiac animals, associated with honesty and reliability, traits that fold into broader beliefs about a stable, prosperous household.
8. Pigs
According to feng shui tradition, wealth is thought to concentrate in a household the way it does in a piggy bank, and keeping a pig figurine—or, in agricultural contexts, live pigs—in the southeast corner of a home is believed to lead to prosperity and help ensure that money isn’t spent unnecessarily.
9. Horses
Horses symbolize speed and endurance in feng shui tradition, and for those seeking a steady rise in career or business fortune, imagery or figures of horses are traditionally placed facing south. Their association with forward momentum and stamina ties them closely to beliefs about sustained financial and career growth rather than sudden windfalls.
10. Oxen and Cattle
The ox is considered a symbol of perseverance, strength, and prosperity in feng shui, representing the hard work, determination, and stability believed to underlie lasting wealth rather than quick luck. This association has deep roots in agrarian societies, where cattle themselves historically represented tangible household wealth long before the symbolism became more decorative.
Worth Keeping in Mind
These beliefs are cultural and spiritual traditions passed down over centuries, not claims backed by scientific evidence—their value tends to lie in the intention, mindfulness, and sense of ritual they bring to a household rather than any measurable financial effect. Many people who follow these traditions describe the practice as more about cultivating a positive mindset around abundance than expecting literal cause and effect.
Join The Discussion
Do you keep a pet—or a figurine version of one—that’s traditionally associated with wealth or good fortune in your culture? Whether you take the symbolism seriously or just enjoy the folklore behind it, what’s the story or tradition that means the most to you? Share your experiences, family traditions, or questions about these beliefs below.
