The Legend Behind the Feng Shui Crystal Trees

There is a lovely story often told about the origins of the Feng Shui crystal tree.

According to the legend, a heavenly fairy named Shang Ziyie travelled to Earth and married a poor villager called Chooi Wen Lui. With very little money to support themselves, Shang created a magical tree that produced coins. The tree provided enough for their family and, when shaken, was said to share its abundance with the other villagers too.

Over time, the image of a tree producing coins became associated with prosperity, abundance and a continuing source of support — ideas that are still reflected in the crystal and gemstone trees displayed in homes and businesses today.

It’s a wonderful story, although its exact origins are difficult to verify. Versions of the tale are repeated widely in modern Feng Shui literature and by Feng Shui retailers, but we haven’t been able to trace it back to an original historical Chinese source.

What does have much deeper roots is the symbolism behind it. Trees, wishes, prosperity and abundance have long been intertwined in Chinese culture, which helps explain why the image of a flourishing tree became such a natural symbol for growth and good fortune.

The Significance of Feng Shui Crystal Trees

Trees have rich symbolism within Feng Shui.

They are associated with the Wood element, one of the five elements used in traditional Feng Shui. Wood represents qualities such as growth, expansion, flexibility and vitality — rather like a living tree that continues to reach upwards while remaining firmly rooted in the Earth.

There is also something wonderfully appropriate about the image of a fruit-bearing tree. One healthy tree can produce an abundance of fruit, nourishing not only itself but many others. It’s easy to understand how the tree became associated with prosperity, abundance and things coming to fruition.

And the symbolism reaches far beyond Feng Shui.

The Tree of Life appears in the mythology, religion and folklore of cultures around the world. Its roots reach deep into the Earth while its branches stretch towards the sky. It can represent connection, ancestry, strength, renewal and the continuing cycle of life.

Perhaps that’s part of the enduring appeal of crystal trees. Even without knowing anything about Feng Shui, there is something immediately recognisable about the symbolism of a flourishing tree.

What Are Feng Shui Gem Trees?

Feng Shui gem trees — sometimes called crystal trees or gemstone bonsai trees — are miniature decorative trees with branches traditionally decorated with polished gemstone chips.

Modern versions are usually created using wire branches, gemstone leaves and a decorative base, which may itself be made from crystal or stone.

But within Feng Shui, they are more than decorative ornaments.

Crystal trees are commonly used as symbolic Feng Shui cures or enhancers, with their meaning influenced by both the symbolism of the tree and the gemstone used to create it.

The tree represents growth and abundance, while different gemstones have acquired their own traditional associations.

Put the two together and you have an object that can represent a particular intention within the home.

Chi, Energy and the Feng Shui Tradition

Central to Feng Shui is the concept of chi (or qi) — the life force or energy traditionally believed to flow through people, places and the natural world.

Feng Shui practices are intended to encourage a harmonious flow of chi through a space.

Within this tradition, areas where energy isn’t flowing freely may be described as having stagnant chi. Objects, colours, elements and their placement are then used symbolically to encourage balance and movement.

Crystal trees have become one of the objects used for this purpose.

There is no scientific evidence that a gemstone tree can alter an invisible energy field within your home. But that doesn’t make the tradition uninteresting.

For many people, choosing and positioning a crystal tree becomes a way of representing an intention — perhaps prosperity, family harmony, creativity or personal growth.

And that’s where the different gemstones come in.

Different Crystal Trees and Their Traditional Meanings

Different gemstones have acquired different associations within modern Feng Shui and crystal traditions.

Citrine Money Tree
Traditionally associated with wealth, prosperity and career success. This is why Citrine trees are often called money trees.

Amethyst Tree
Associated with calm, clarity and protection, and traditionally used to encourage a peaceful atmosphere within the home.

Rose Quartz Tree
Connected symbolically with love, relationships and emotional harmony.

Chakra Gemstone Tree
Usually made with seven different coloured gemstones representing the seven-chakra system. These are a modern combination of crystal and chakra traditions rather than a traditional Chinese Feng Shui object.

Clear Quartz Tree
Associated in modern crystal traditions with clarity and cleansing and often chosen as an all-purpose crystal tree.

Tiger’s Eye Tree
Commonly associated with confidence, courage, focus and prosperity.

Green Aventurine Tree
Traditionally associated with luck, opportunity and abundance.

These meanings are traditional and symbolic rather than scientifically demonstrated properties of the stones, but they can still provide a lovely way to choose a tree that represents something meaningful to you.

Where Should You Put a Feng Shui Crystal Tree?

This is one of the questions we’re asked most often.

Within Feng Shui, placement is part of the symbolism.

Traditionally, you might place a crystal tree:

• On a desk or in a workspace to represent career growth, opportunity and prosperity.
• In a study area to represent learning, concentration and personal development.
• In a shared family space to symbolise harmony, connection and growth within the household.
• In a relationship area or bedroom when the tree represents love and partnership.
• In a wealth area when using a Citrine or traditional money tree to symbolise prosperity and abundance.

Some crystal trees are also described as wish trees. A person may choose a tree to represent something they hope to bring into their life, much as wishes and intentions have historically been associated with trees in different cultures.

There isn’t one compulsory place where a crystal tree must go.

If you enjoy Feng Shui, you can explore traditional placement principles. Or you can simply put your tree somewhere you’ll see and enjoy it — perhaps allowing it to become a visual reminder of whatever you’ve chosen it to represent.