Essential Decorations for Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as Imlek, marks the beginning of the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar. During Imlek, people of Chinese descent typically gather with their families, share meals, express gratitude for the past year, and look forward to the year ahead.
Traditionally, homes are adorned with various unique and attractive decorations for Imlek. Not only homes, but also shopping centers, restaurants, and public places join in the celebration by decorating their buildings. These decorations are characterized by vibrant red colors and Chinese symbols associated with good fortune.
According to legend, in ancient times, a terrifying forest monster would visit a village once a year, consuming everything in its path. The villagers began holding a feast and offering food to their ancestors, seeking protection. Over time, they came up with the idea of scaring the monster away with fireworks and decorating their homes with red or brightly colored items to prevent its return.
This tradition has continued, and during Chinese New Year, people decorate their homes with bright red ornaments and set off fireworks to ward off negativity in the coming year. Here are some of the decorations that add to the festive atmosphere:
1. Paper Cut Art
Paper cut art is often affixed to doors, windows, or clear surfaces like glass. Red paper is used, adorned with symbols of good luck. Common symbols include fish (a symbol of abundance), rice grains (symbolizing hope and a good harvest), pomegranates (representing longevity), mandarin ducks (symbolizing fertility), and pine trees (a symbol of love). Paper cut art can also feature Chinese characters conveying well-wishes.
2. Door Couplets
Door couplets are pairs of red scrolls that are typically seen hanging on doors. These scrolls contain poetic verses welcoming the arrival of spring or conveying good wishes to the household. They are usually written in bold black ink with traditional Chinese characters. A set of door couplets consists of two scrolls, one placed on the left side and the other on the right side of the main entrance.
3. New Year Pictures
Similar to door couplets, New Year pictures express hopes for a prosperous year. These pictures often depict chubby children resembling dolls or beautiful women. They symbolize the wish for healthy children and a harmonious family.
4. Lanterns
Lanterns come in various shapes and are a common sight during Chinese New Year celebrations. They can be spherical, lotus-shaped, or even dragon-shaped. In addition to being decorations, some lanterns are released into the sky as part of the Lantern Festival. People write their hopes and wishes on these lanterns, which are then released to symbolize their desires flying up to heaven and being fulfilled in the new year. These lanterns are also known as Kongming lanterns.
5. The Character "Fu"
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When talking about Chinese New Year, the character "Fu" (福) cannot be overlooked. It symbolizes happiness and good fortune. The character is often written on red squares of paper and can be pasted on walls, doors, or windows. Some people also hang the character upside down, as it can be interpreted to mean "fortune has arrived" or "luck is here."
These are just some of the many decorations used to celebrate Chinese New Year and create a festive atmosphere. Whether you're celebrating the holiday or simply joining in the festivities, Gong Xi Fat Cai (Happy Chinese New Year)!
Source:
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/new-year-decoration.htm
