"Wu Fu Lin Men" - Five good fortunes at the door

This set of Chinese characters read from the right is "Wu Fu Lin Men" which means "the five good fortunes have arrived at the door." is commonly seen pasted or hung above the lintel of the front door frame of the house. I wonder how many people actually knew its significance and what the five good fortunes are.

According to the Book of History (Shi Jing in Chinese) reportedly edited by Confucius, the five good fortunes are:

1. Longevity,
2. Great Wealth,
3. Good Health,
4. Good Character or Virtue, and
5. Die well.

The Chinese are traditionally and culturally very superstitious towards death, even the sheer mention of it is not encouraged and it is deemed taboo, but here hidden within this Lunar New Year wish phrase, the last good fortune many are wishing for is to die well and surprisingly, this phrase is especially popular during the Lunar New Year period.

I have the feeling that many might not be aware of what "Wu Fu Lin Men" actually entails. Once the contents are revealed, I wonder how many would still like to wish for all the five good fortunes or some might choose to customise the options and pick only the first four.

But, if it were to be "Si Fu Lin Men" which means "four fortunes arrived at the door", then there is another issue because "Si" which means four is pronounced almost similar to "Si" as in death. That is another taboo. So, the best is not to hang this calligraphic piece in future for those who are superstitious!