Chinese New Year Must-Haves for the Home
Chinese culture is peppered with symbolism. See how to mark the season auspiciously in your decor and gift-giving
Anita Yee
January 27, 2017
Houzz Singapore Contributor.
The rooster rules the Chinese zodiac roost in Lunar New Year 2017, also known as Chinese New Year. As the 10th animal zodiac sign of the lunar calendar, it takes over from the mischievous monkey, the animal for 2016. (Read more about the Chinese animal zodiacs here.) A symbol of fidelity and punctuality, the rooster was nature’s alarm clock in times gone by, its crowing signaling the start of a new day.
Many items in Chinese culture are filled with symbolism, and the new year, which begins Jan. 28, 2017, is a perfect time to revisit a few. Here are some of the more common items — edible and decorative — that are considered must-haves in many homes during Lunar New Year.
Many items in Chinese culture are filled with symbolism, and the new year, which begins Jan. 28, 2017, is a perfect time to revisit a few. Here are some of the more common items — edible and decorative — that are considered must-haves in many homes during Lunar New Year.
Oranges and tangerines. Chinese words that rhyme with an item (usually a food) feature prominently during this festive season.
The word for mandarin orange is kam (in the Cantonese dialect), which sounds like the word for gold. The vibrant hue is also a plus, and you’ll usually find a bowl of the fruit placed on dining tables and sideboards.
Swap in mandarins for the oranges (and flowers) in this centerpiece for a truly Chinese New Year look — one that will work well for dinners hosted throughout the year. Try experimenting with color combinations.
The word for mandarin orange is kam (in the Cantonese dialect), which sounds like the word for gold. The vibrant hue is also a plus, and you’ll usually find a bowl of the fruit placed on dining tables and sideboards.
Swap in mandarins for the oranges (and flowers) in this centerpiece for a truly Chinese New Year look — one that will work well for dinners hosted throughout the year. Try experimenting with color combinations.
Kumquat tree. Wealth and overall good fortune are strong themes during Chinese New Year. A compact kumquat tree can often be found gracing a home’s entry as a symbol of good fortune and blessings. The tree is also given to business associates for that reason.
If an entire tree isn’t an option, take a cue from this photo and arrange cut branches in a vessel.
If an entire tree isn’t an option, take a cue from this photo and arrange cut branches in a vessel.
Flowering plants. Blooming plants symbolize rebirth, says Adelina Pang, principal consultant and founder of Adelina Pang Fengshui Consultancy. Flowers also symbolize wealth, she notes. A flowering plant on New Year’s Day is believed to augur a year of prosperity. Tiny red ribbons are sometimes tied at intervals along the branches.
If a live plant isn’t possible, wallpaper is the next best thing! This allover print works well in a powder room or nook.
But if live flowers are what you’re after …
But if live flowers are what you’re after …
… an orchid plant will do nicely.
With a little imagination, this vase could pass for an abstract rendition of a pineapple, another food rich in symbolism.
With a little imagination, this vase could pass for an abstract rendition of a pineapple, another food rich in symbolism.
Pineapples. The tropical fruit is associated with moneymaking endeavors. In the Hokkien dialect, it’s called ong lai, which sounds like incoming money or wealth.
Photo from Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
The gifting and eating of pineapple tarts is popular throughout and beyond this season. These yuanbao, or ingot-shaped tarts, are named for an ancient form of Chinese money and symbolize the attraction of wealth into a home or office. These days, imitation gold ingots are used as well.
The gifting and eating of pineapple tarts is popular throughout and beyond this season. These yuanbao, or ingot-shaped tarts, are named for an ancient form of Chinese money and symbolize the attraction of wealth into a home or office. These days, imitation gold ingots are used as well.
If you’re not into buying the actual fruit, a collage of pineapple artwork could do the trick.
You could also display some pillows in a pineapple print — they’re subtle yet still carry the significance of having pineapples in the home.
Chinese couplets, or duilian.
These paired hangings of poetry usually carry good wishes for prosperity, health and more.
These paired hangings of poetry usually carry good wishes for prosperity, health and more.
Photo by Keane Tan
Paper cuttings. A common cutting shows the Chinese character fook, which means wealth. They’re usually hung upside down to symbolize money pouring into the home or office.
Paper cuttings. A common cutting shows the Chinese character fook, which means wealth. They’re usually hung upside down to symbolize money pouring into the home or office.
If hanging up scrolls or paper cuttings isn’t your cup of tea, pillows covered in a similar print are an option.
Lanterns. Red is an auspicious color in Chinese culture, and it makes its way into almost anything that needs celebrating. For the new year, red lanterns are hung as symbols of good luck and prosperity.
Rooster motif. It is the Year of the Rooster, after all. A painting or print of the fowl adds a topic of interest to conversations.
Good to know: This rooster wall clock is pretty, but keep in mind that a clock is considered a taboo gift in Chinese culture because the phrase song jong, or giving a clock, sounds like participating in a funeral ritual.
Photo from Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
Food symbolism. Mandarin oranges, fish, dumplings, abalone — the foods used in celebrating this season span land and sea. A common sight in Chinese homes is the Tray of Togetherness, a round tray (its shape symbolizes completeness or togetherness) with eight (an auspicious number) compartments filled with dried fruits, sweets and other snacks for visitors.
The nian gao, or year cake, seen here may also be included on the tray. (Read more about food symbolism here.) In the Chinese language, nian gao infers that one will prosper more each year.
Food symbolism. Mandarin oranges, fish, dumplings, abalone — the foods used in celebrating this season span land and sea. A common sight in Chinese homes is the Tray of Togetherness, a round tray (its shape symbolizes completeness or togetherness) with eight (an auspicious number) compartments filled with dried fruits, sweets and other snacks for visitors.
The nian gao, or year cake, seen here may also be included on the tray. (Read more about food symbolism here.) In the Chinese language, nian gao infers that one will prosper more each year.
Photo from Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
For double the auspiciousness, nian gao may be shaped as carp, which symbolize good fortune.
For double the auspiciousness, nian gao may be shaped as carp, which symbolize good fortune.
Photo from Goodwood Park Hotel
Salad days. Feasting during the Chinese New Year isn’t complete without the lo hei, loosely translated as tossing up good fortune. Also known as yusheng, it’s an appetizer course that’s essentially a salad of sliced raw fish, julienned vegetables, crushed crackers and a variety of sauces and condiments, all mixed together while auspicious phrases are said as each ingredient is added to the plate.
Tell us: How do you decorate for Chinese New Year? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
More: 28 Design Ideas Coming to Homes Near You in 2017
Salad days. Feasting during the Chinese New Year isn’t complete without the lo hei, loosely translated as tossing up good fortune. Also known as yusheng, it’s an appetizer course that’s essentially a salad of sliced raw fish, julienned vegetables, crushed crackers and a variety of sauces and condiments, all mixed together while auspicious phrases are said as each ingredient is added to the plate.
Tell us: How do you decorate for Chinese New Year? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
More: 28 Design Ideas Coming to Homes Near You in 2017
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This is a very good article. FYI: Even though I am ethnically Chinese, I like to use the term "Lunar New Year" because other ethnic groups that are not Chinese also observe this as their New Year. Also, the Chinese character 福 may also be translated into English as, "blessing," so that when Chinese Christians say, 神祝福你 ("God bless you"), the meaning is expanded beyond material wealth. Keep up the good work! =]
Thank you for all for your comments and encouragement!