chinese new year symbols

Chinese New Year Symbols

Chinese New Year is associated with many symbols and customs. Each of these Chinese New Year symbols has its own importance. Every Chinese New Year symbol has a deep meaning in it. So let's learn more about these Chinese New Year symbols and bring prosperity and happiness in our lives. Chinese Lunar Calendar : Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, and is constructed in a different fashion than the Western solar calendar.
This Chinese New Year symbol often shows the dates of both the Gregorian (Western) calendar and the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The Gregorian dates are printed in Arabic numerals, and the Chinese dates in Chinese numerals. Flowers: Flowers are an important part of the Chinese New Year decorations. In old China, much use was made of natural products in celebrations as well as in daily life. The two flowers most associated with the New Year are the plum blossom and the water narcissus. Flowers form an important symbol for the Chinese New Year.Lai-See Envelopes : (Also called Hong-Bao) Money is placed in these envelopes and given to children and young adults at Chinese New Year's time, much in the spirit as Christmas presents. Presents are also often exchanged between families. This is also a very important Chinese New Year Symbol . Lucky Character : The single word " FOOK ", or fortune, is often displayed in many homes and stores. They are usually written by brush on a diamond-shaped piece of red paper. This is supposed to be a lucky Chinese New Year symbol . Plum Blossoms : This Chinese New Year symbol stands for courage and hope. The blossoms burst forth at the end of winter on a seemingly lifeless branch.
In Chinese art, plum blossoms are associated with the entire season of winter and not just the New Year.
Spring Couplets : This Chinese New Year symbol is a very old one and holds traditional significance. Spring couplets are traditionally written with black ink on red paper. They are hung in storefronts in the month before the Chinese New Year's Day, and often stay up for two months. They express best wishes and fortune for the coming year. There is a great variety in the writing of these poetic couplets to fit the situation. A store would generally use couplets hat make references to their line of trade. Couplets that say "Happy New Year" and " Continuing Advancement in Education" are appropriate for a school.
Tangerines, Oranges, Pomelos: Tangerines and oranges are frequently displayed in homes and stores. Tangerines are symbolic of good luck, and oranges are symbolic of wealth. These Chinese New Year symbols have developed through a language pun, the word for tangerine having the same sound as "luck" in Chinese, and the word for orange having the same sound as "wealth". Pomelos are large pear-shaped grapefruits.
Tray of Togetherness : Many families keep a tray full of dried fruits, sweets, and candies to welcome guests and relatives who drop by. This tray is called a chuen-hop, or "tray of togetherness". This Chinese New Year symbol was traditionally made up of eight compartments, each of which was filled with a special food item of significance to the New Year season.
Water Narcissus : This Chinese New Year symbol signifies good luck and fortune. Flower that blossom at New Year's time. If the white flowers blossom exactly on the day of the New Year, it is believed to indicate good fortune for the ensuing twelve months.
Chinese Zodiac : The rotating cycle of twelve animal signs was a folk method for naming the years in traditional China. The animal signs for one another in an established order, and are repeated every twelve years. 1976 was the Year of the Dragon, 1977 was the year of the Snake. 2006 in the Chinese New Year is the year of the dog.