Chinese New Year Symbols

Chinese New Year, celebrated for 15 days, is associated with many Chinese New Year symbols. During the celebrations, the Chinese people observe a number of cultural, traditional, and superstitious customs.

Red is widely used in Chinese New Year decoration. Red is considered as the official color of Chinese New Year. Gold is often used as accent color with red. Red is symbolic of truth, sincerity, and happiness. Apart from red, there are a number of Chinese New Year signs:

Chinese New Year symbols of painting

Chinese New Year paintings convey good wishes, although different paintings of blessing refer to different ideas.

• • Fish: The painting of a fish signifies wealth. According to the popular belief, families, which hang the painting of fish during the celebrations of New Year, will be blessed with superfluous wealth and money, in spite of heavy expenses.

• • Bat: Bat is symbolic of good luck or fortune. If someone adds a picture of a Bat on Chinese New Year, he or she will be blessed with good luck, according to the Chinese New Year traditions.

• Lotus seeds: They are symbolic of having many sons. This is a symbol of giving birth. Lotus seeds will bless you with many sons. If someone hangs a painting of lotus seeds, she might be blessed with ‘continuous sons’.

Other paintings of blessing are mentioned below:

• Fan: Fan is symbolic of good.
• Peach: Peach symbolizes longevity
• Pine tree: Pine tree refers to permanence
• Crane: Crane signifies endurance

Flowers: Flowers are not only one of the strongest elements of decoration, but they also considered as the messenger of good luck. These Chinese New Year symbols convey different messages. Some of the lucky flowers are palm blossoms, bamboo, and sunflowers. The significance and meaning of different floral decorations in Chinese New Year celebrations are mentioned below:

• Plum Blossom: Luck
• Narcissus: Prosperity
• Kumquat: Prosperity
• Chrysanthemum: Longevity
• Bamboo: Good luck
• Eggplant: A plant to cure all sicknesses
• Sunflower: Good Year
• Chom Mon Plant: Tranquility and peace

Lai-See Envelopes: Gifts exchanging is a vital tradition in Chinese New Year. The gift exchanging starts in the family. The married couple of the family present some lucky coins in a red envelop. The envelop, also called Hong-Bao or Lai-See, is a symbol of fortune. The married couples present this envelop to the unmarried and younger members of the family. The red envelop is also exchanged with other families.

Spring Couplets: Spring Couplets are a very important decorative piece for Chinese New Year. They not only enhance the decoration but they are also considered as one of the most important Chinese New Year symbols. This is one of the oldest Chinese New Year signs. The Spring Couplets are written on red paper with a black ink. They are hung at the entrance of a house. The Chinese families usually keep them for two months. They bring a good luck charm into the house. They welcome guests for the New Year celebrations. The Spring Couplets often say ‘Happy New Year’. You can make them or also can buy them from market.