A Festival of Visual Symbolism
On Chinese New Year Day, everyone’s homes and the streets are full of color and traditions. If you pay close attention, every decoration reveals a bit of the holiday’s history, wishes and meaning. Every single item is more valuable than its looks, because it comes from traditions passed through the years. Even if you’re setting up your first decorated home or just interested, finding out why we use these decorations can make the holiday more enjoyable.
Why Red Is Everywhere
If you visit any house during Chinese New Year, you’ll see a lot of red. From lanterns to banners, this fiery hue dominates. But why red? In Chinese culture, red symbolizes luck, happiness, and prosperity. Many people in Asia also link the color red to a story about the monster Nian attacking villages during the first day of a new year. Someone found that red and loud sounds scared it away and fireworks quickly became a regular element of Halloween festivities. Red is now used to bring joy and to scare away any misfortunes.
Gold: The Color of Wealth
Right alongside red, you’ll often spot gold. This shimmering color represents wealth and success. Many cultures believe red and gold, used together, help bring happiness, festive occasions and wealth. The closer it becomes to Chinese New Year, the more you will see red and gold decorating envelopes, crafts, lanterns and food boxes. They are chosen not only to make things look festive, but also to highlight hope for abundance.
The Power of 春 (Spring)
This character represents a time for new beginnings, growth and the welcome of a new life season. It reflects the overall spirit of the festival—new beginnings. The “春” you will sometimes spot on doors and windows heralds the brighter weather and the start of spring blossoms. In many spots, you’ll notice the lanterns are hung upside down, since the Chinese pronunciation of the phrase is “spring has arrived.”
The Upside-Down 福
Fú (which means “blessing” or “good fortune”), is another well-known character used in Chinese New Year. During Chinese New Year, you will often see that families display the “福” character upside down. Why? This word (到, dào meaning upside down in Mandarin, also sounds like the word for “arrival” (到, dào). So, an upside-down “福” symbolically means “fortune has arrived.” Frequently, you’ll see this symbol on doors, walls and gates, ready to bring luck home.
Red Couplets: Poetry for Prosperity
Traditionally, Red couplets or Spring Festival couplets called chunlian, are written using gold or black ink on red pieces of paper hung vertically. They are installed at both sides of doorways and are regularly accompanied by a horizontal scroll above the top of the doorframe. They refer to health, happiness, a long life and success. Many times, people will say: “May your money unfold like the tides.” Selecting the ideal couplet is widely appreciated and gathers together language, feelings and luck.
Paper Cuttings: Beauty with Meaning
In northern China, papered cuttings in red are often used as a holiday decoration. Experienced craftsmen handmake these, using images of zodiac creatures, lots of flowers and usual symbols such as “囍”. The most common place for window films is on windows to catch the sunlight and cast lovely shadows inside. Traditional Chinese-style artworks usually use fish, lotus flowers and peaches to represent surplus, purity, harmony and a long life. They are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
Lanterns: Light to Guide the New Year
During Chinese New Year, you can see red lanterns put up at homes, markets and along streets. Usually produced from silk or paper, they represent enthusiasm, warmth and getting to be together with the family. The little lanterns indicate guiding us toward something better ahead. Everyone looks forward to the Lantern Festival because that’s when decorations are most prominent and the festivities happen. At times, lanterns are made in the same style as zodiac animals, making the festival even more festive and close to yearly events.
Door Gods: Guardians of Peace
Sometimes, you’ll come across large images pasted on front doors; these images represent the Door Gods (menshen). Many think these plants guard the home from bad spirits and help maintain peace throughout the coming year. These Door Gods come from Chinese stories and they are frequently shown armed and guarding the doors. Though customary generations ago in cities, the custom can still be seen in the countryside and wherever classical traditions are taught.
Zodiac Symbols: Personalized Prosperity
The theme of the new zodiac animal is important in decorating for each Chinese New Year. In the year 2025, houses will contain snakes, representing intelligence, change and intuition. You’ll notice a lot of snake figurines, drawings, toys and stickers all throughout. Using decorations based on your zodiac is believed to bring you special luck. It’s also fun for children to learn about the zodiac and share their personalities with family members.
Tangerines and Oranges: Sweet Symbols of Luck
During Chinese New Year, tangerines and oranges are usually present for their special decorative value and meaning. Because of their coin-like shape and golden color, the egg symbolizes wealth. Cantonese speakers say the name for orange is actually “success,” and the word for tangerines means “luck.” So, you’ll find some families putting bowls of nuts out on the table, by the entrance and in gift baskets. At times, people like to keep the leaves on for an additional sign of living long.
New Year Paintings: Auspicious Imagery
Children, imaginary creatures and stories from folklore appear in traditional New Year artwork to keep away harm and bring good luck. Most of these artworks are shown off by being printed on red backgrounds and put up in living rooms or entryways. Despite modern trends, older generations have kept these culturally important images that bring together culture, mythology and major moral beliefs.
Where to Place Decorations
Where you set up your decorations is as necessary as what you buy. Couplets in red go on door frames, each with a single line and a horizontal scroll above. You should place “福” on the front door or hang it on the living room wall. Lanterns are best hung at entrances, porches, or balconies. Customers will see paper cuttings stuck on the windows and fruit trays and candy boxes set on the coffee table or kitchen counter. Every one of these items serves to invite good fortune into the room.
Keep the Spirit Alive with CNY Goodies
When you decorate for Chinese New Year, you are doing more than sticking to traditions—you are hoping for health, joy and fortune in the next year. Putting up red poems and upside-down “福” takes part in a lasting custom that began long ago.
Your home may be shining in red and gold already, but remember, the flavors of the holiday are the finishing touch. Pineapple tarts and almond cookies are traditionally enjoyed during Chinese New Year, as much as any other festive decoration.
Enjoy the full festive atmosphere by looking through CNYDelights.com, as you’ll soon have handmade CNY Goodies sent to your door.