Start your 2021 right with these DIY good luck charms

2021 is the year of the Metal Ox.

According to a feng shui expert, this hardworking animal is expected to bring hope for career advancement, health, and wellness, among other things.

"We can expect, kahit pa paano, it will be an 'improvement year,'" said feng shui consultant Johnson Chua on Tuesday's "Unang Hirit."

"I was told that the Metal Ox is a healing year or comeback year, so kung tayo po ay medyo may nararamdaman po sa suffering this 2020, as long as we can be adaptable, na-a-adapt natin 'yung new norm at nagiging flexible po tayo, then malaki po 'yung chance na pwede rin po tayong maging successful sa panahon ng 2021," he said.

Since shopping for good luck charms might be difficult this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the feng shui expert shared four simple DIY charms that the family can put together at home using ordinary household items.

1. Nine red envelopes

According to Johnson, you can help your 2021 wishes come true by writing them down on a piece of paper and enclosing them in nine red envelopes or "ampaw."

However, you need to make sure to only include positive wishes and stick the envelopes behind your main door in the shape of a diamond.

Why? “Because diamond is a symbol of fire, and nine is the number of fire, so ini-increase po natin 'yung fire energy as one of the lucky elements for the year 2021, para more hope, more positivity and also for good blessings and prosperity," the feng shui expert said.

2. Blessing bowl

Another thing you can do to ask for blessings in 2021 is putting folded 50-peso bills—or any kind of red paper—in a bowl of rice.

According to Johnson, doing this can help increase the fire energy you'll need for the new year.

"Alam naman natin na ang bigas, grasya 'yan para sa atin," he said.

3. Plant with red ribbon

It looks like our becoming plantitos and plantitas during quarantine will pay off in more ways than one!

Johnson says plants can bring in lots of wood energy, which is also seen as one of the "lucky elements" in 2021.

The feng shui expert would recommend tying a red ribbon or attaching anything with the color red to your plant babies.

Johnson also wanted to clarify: "Lahat po ng plants ay pampasuwerte."

"Wala pong malas na plants. Lahat po 'yan is from mother earth... buhay po silang lahat," he added.

4. Ox images

Another thing you can do for luck in the year of the Metal Ox is hanging a picture of an ox inside your home.

However, Johnson would recommend a "positive-looking" kind of ox image.

For example, it can be a print-out of a happy cartoon ox, or a picture that shows a very strong and sturdy one.

"It should be na medyo related po sa mga wishes na gusto nating mangyari for the 2021. For example if you want a happy 2021, a happy ox image," Johnson said.

You also might want to consider keeping this ox image near the place where you work from home, like your office or even the wallpaper of your computer. —Margaret Claire Layug/MGP, GMA News