The usage of cash coins in the Chinese religious practice of feng shui is commonplace influencing many superstitions involving them.

In feng shui cash coins are believed to be able to attract wealth and prosperity and to ward off "evil spirits" (煞氣, shà qì).

While classic Chinese coins can come in a huge variety, particular categories of them enjoy more celebrity status than others, this is because Feng shui practitioners believe that some cash coin inscriptions are more auspicious than others, for example the Qianlong Tongbao (乾隆通寶) is commonly seen as an auspicious inscription because it was produced in a period of military and economic ascendancy in Chinese history, while the Xuanhe Tongbao (宣和通寶) is seen as inauspicious because it was produced during a more tumultuous era.

The cash coin became the main standard currency of China in 221 BC with the Ban Liang (半兩) and would be produced until 1912 AD there with the Minguo Tongbao (民國通寶).

Cash coins are characterised by their round outer shape and a square center hole (Chinese: 方穿; pinyin: fāng chuān; Jyutping: fong1 cyun1; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: hong-chhoan).

The trend of exclusively using the era names on currencies continued during the Qing dynasty, and all cash coins issued during this period were written in regular script.

[14] Generally speaking, Feng shui masters always have a large number of Chinese copper-alloy cash coins on hand.

[19] Other examples include gourds, where they supposedly strengthen its healing functions and countering evil spirits (sha qì), mystic knots for protection, and crystals for wealth.

[14] Factors typically considered by Feng shui masters include: In feng shui, the term Five Emperor Coins (traditional Chinese: 五帝錢 / 五帝幣; simplified Chinese: 五帝钱 / 五帝币; pinyin: Wǔdì qián / Wǔdì bì; Vietnamese: Tiền ngũ đế / Tiền năm vua), also sometimes called "Five Emperor Money Coins" in English, refers to a set of cash coins that were produced during the early and High Qing eras when the Qing dynasty was at its height both militarily and economically.

[14] This set includes authentic cash coins produced during the reigns of the Shunzhi, Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, and Jiaqing Emperors.

[22] If the consecrated Five Emperor Coins need to be replaced they are usually wrapped in red cloth and put at the temple incense candle recycling place or at crossroads to supposedly let its aura dissipate.

[14] Furthermore, in feng shui cash coins fulfill the purpose of promoting harmony in the household, and attracting both wealth and good fortune.

[22] When new houses are constructed five sets of Qing dynasty Five Emperor Coins are sometimes placed at specific locations to attract both wealth and prosperity.

[14] Sometimes cash coins are also placed underneath rugs or floor mats to strengthen the presence of "earth" energy when the level below is empty space such as a vehicle parking lot.

[16] When placed on the right side of an entrance gate, Five Emperor Coins hung from a yellow cord are believed to help prevent female family members from being too argumentative or quarrelsome.

[25] These banners have such auspicious sayings as Fú xīng gāo zhào (福星高照, "Let the five good fortunes shine brightly"), Jiāng tài gōng zài cǐ (姜太公在此, "The Protector Jiang Taigong is here"), Fènghuáng zài cǐ (鳳凰在此, "The male and female phoenix are both here"), and Zǐ wēi gāo zhào (紫微高照, "Let the purple polar star shine brightly").

[25] It is also customary in feng shui during the 5th day of the 5th month (Duanwu) to hang a five poisons charm on a door or gate as a form of protection.

[25] To ensure and promote "good fortune" for the family Chinese people traditionally nailed cash coin amulets with auspicious inscriptions, such as Changming Fugui (長命富貴, "Longevity, wealth, and honour") and Fushou Tongtian (福壽同天, "good fortune and longevity on the same day") on a gate or wall.

[25] A specific type of cash coin amulet, known as an open-work charm, with this design is known as a Wufu Pengshou (五福捧壽, "five fortunes surround longevity") and is commonly hung on a door or gate to wish for blessings and a long life.

[26] As such, in feng shui the supposed power of the coin-swords will depend heavily on which Chinese emperor's inscription is written down on the cash coins.

[33] Logos that are based on the various concepts and forms that are found in feng shui are the most preferred visual representation used by financial institutions such as banks in the Greater China region, with ancient Chinese coins being used in particular.

[33] For this reason, cash coins in feng shui have developed into distinctive and unique style of logo design language in the region.