The best way to decorate at Chinese New Year is with flowers, says Jane Drew. Find out how auspicious blooms can usher in health, wealth and prosperity
1. Significant sprays
As with almost all activities at Chinese New Year, there is enormous symbolism in the use of flowers. In addition to the decorative and festive effect, flowers play an essential part in the celebration. For this reason, you’ll see that local florists do a roaring trade at this time of year. Head to the Mongkok Flower Market, to the temporary stalls in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, or to your local plant nursery to stock up.
2. Hope for the future
Live, flowering plants (rather than cut blooms) are considered the number one essential in terms of Lunar New Year decoration, since they symbolise new life and hope. The blossom bursts forth at the end of winter (on a seemingly lifeless branch), symbolising courage and hope. Buds are the emblems of rebirth; intimately connected with the wish for happiness during the ensuing year. Flowering peach and plum, pine sprigs and pussy willow are all highly prized.
3. Business sense
During the holidays, business people, especially, spend a lot of money on a branch of flowering plum or peach that looks like it will bloom well. The idea is to ensure that they will have a prosperous year. While plum blossoms are popular since they stand for perseverance and trustworthiness, peach blossom symbolises long life, and is regarded as the strongest defence against evil. Sprays of peach blossom were at one time placed above front doors to prevent evil spirits getting into the home.
4. Luck in love
It’s believed that love will come your way if you walk clockwise around a peach blossom stem on the first day of Chinese New Year. “This is a longstanding tradition and it really works,” advises local florist Tiffany Yu of Tiffany Flowers. “We had a Mr Lau working for us who had been single for 40 years and one year we persuaded him to walk round a branch of peach blossom. The next year he was married.”
5. Red or dead
Popular cut flowers to use in seasonal arrangements include chrysanthemums, water lilies, azalea, daffodils and narcissi. It’s customary to choose red blooms for good fortune. Called the Flower of Riches and Honour, and a symbol of feminine beauty as well as love and affection, the peony is particularly rich in holiday symbolism. Bright red peonies are the most auspicious, bringing with them the promise not only of luck, but love.
6. Making money
While it is believed that any flower that blossoms at this time of year bestows a blessing, a plant that blooms on New Year’s Day bestows 12 months of prosperity on the family that homes it. This is particularly true of the white narcissus. “When choosing plants at Chinese New Year, always ask your florist which ones are likely to bloom on New Year’s Day, as that way you’ll be guaranteed 12 months of good luck,” advises Tiffany.
7. Getting fruity
Fruits are another popular decoration that, like flowers, are rich in seasonal symbolism. When visiting family or friends over the holidays, it is customary to bring a gift of a bag of oranges and tangerines. Especially popular is the gift of tangerines with leaves still attached as this symbolises that the relationship between the giver and receiver is secure. For newlyweds, a gift of tangerines with leaves still attached symbolises the uniting of the couple into a family that will be blessed with many children.
8. Saying it with flowers
The Chinese language’s endless opportunities for puns are demonstrated in the flowers that are most sought after at this time of year. For instance, people rush to buy the kumquat plant with its little golden fruits. Here the play on words is most significant: in Chinese the kumquat is called gam gat sue: the word gam rhymes with the Chinese word for gold, and the word gat rhymes with the Chinese word for luck. What’s more, the green leaves of the kumquat symbolise wealth, as the word luk (green) rhymes with the Chinese word for wealth.
9. Essential foliage
Consider too that the foliage you choose plays a supporting role, in more ways than one. Leaves are intregal to Chinese New Year displays as they support the flowers, and thus symbolise strong family ties. “Bamboo stems [implying compatibility and flexibility] are often fixed on to pine sprigs [symbolising longevity and steadiness]. These are then sculpted into meaningful Chinese characters, like the Chinese character shou, meaning longevity,” says Tiffany. “Mix in a couple of plum blossoms and the grouping symbolises friendship.”
10. Sweet symbols
Custom dictates that trays of candied fruits are laid out for guests over Chinese New Year. In addition to being tasty, these express hope for good fortune in the coming year. Popular candies include: melon seeds which have been dyed red to symbolise truth, joy and sincerity; lychee nuts which symbolise strong family relationships in the coming year; coconuts which represent togetherness; melons symbolising good health and growth; peanuts for long life and lotus seeds for fecundity.
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