Coins

Coins symbolize wealth and ancient ones are said to ward off evil. Round coins (huan fa) or “Chinese cash,” are the most highly used and lowest Chinese monetary denomination and symbols of prosperity and wealth. The round cash is the shape of heaven having a square opening or “eye” in the center that reflects the ancient Chinese belief that the earth is square.  Known as “eye coins” (yanqian), a pun for “before your eyes,” it means wealth and prosperity are before you or on the way. A double intertwined coin design is one of the Chinese Eight Treasures (babao) and a popular and auspicious ornament. Since the the word for “eight” ba  rhymes with fa meaning “to expand” this double word association is a wish “to expand in wealth.