Johnathan Adler Dragon, $350

Each day, I get an email with a feng shui tip of the day from Astrology.com (Stay with me, those of you who aren’t into this “woo-woo,” “New Agey” stuff — it’s all about symbolism!). Yesterday’s was to place a small dragon next to the faucet in the kitchen to bring more prosperity into my life, among other things:

… Inviting a dragon into your home will assist in the fulfillment of all of your intentions, as dragons represent and invoke courage, enthusiasm, positive energy and flow. In fact, a properly placed dragon can strengthen your life force, increase prosperity and bring fortune and luck.

The American Feng Shui Institute defines feng shui as “the study of how the environment affects those who dwell in it.” A basic principle is to incorporate feng shui’s five elements – earth, wood, fire, metal and water – throughout a home (you can read more about it and how to feng shui your entryway in a piece I wrote for the Houston Chronicle a few months ago featuring wisdom from designer Teri Pugh and feng shui consultant Gina Castellano). Perhaps it’s because I’m a writer, but I’m a believer in the power of symbolism, so if seeing a little dragon image by my faucet each day helps me better slay the dragons of my day and makes me think prosperous thoughts, I’m game.

So, the hunt begins for a fabulous dragon. I’m hoping to find a modern one, such as the snazzy guy pictured above, $350, at Jonathan Adler (as a bargain hunter, and one who as much as I believe in symbolism, believes that saving money also increases prosperity, I’m sure I can find a less expensive dragon that’s just as cool, but you get the idea).

The dragon, according to the tip email, also can be placed in your office (behind you, rather than in front of you where you’d be “confronting” the dragon) and in the romance area of the bedroom (oooh, la la). But, the email cautioned, not in the bathroom, lest you “flush all your dragon luck away.”

Here’s to a prosperous 2013 and slaying all of your dragons.

What little omens, good luck charms and symbols do you put around your house and why?