During the Chinese New Year, red is the predominant color. You see it everywhere. The shops are full of red decorative items, red flowers
and many of the new year clothing are also red.
Red is considered an auspicious color, the color of good luck and fortune. That is why “ang pau” (red packets/envelopes) containing varying sums of money are given to children and the singles.
Red is a warm or even a hot color. It arouses feelings. During the Chinese New Year, it makes people happy and eager to celebrate the occasion. Men and women don red clothing to mark the happy occasion and ang pau are aplenty for children who wish their elders Gong Xi Fa Cai which approximately translates to Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.Most of the shopping malls are decorated in red.
Lanterns are red, the flowers are red and many people are wearing red. Red lanterns are hung across the streets,
Chinese temples have red lanterns strung across their courtyards
and many homes belonging to the Chinese have red lanterns hanging in their car porches. Fire crackers are red too,
so that when they are burnt, the ground is like a red carpet.
Stalls set up for this festive season sell items that relate to the New Year. One stall is selling miniature lion heads and there is a large lion head placed at one corner to attract customers.
Others sell beautifully cut paper patterns that have auspicious meanings
and there are also stalls that sell red knotted decorations. 
Paintings and embroidered pictures of cranes are also on sale. A crane symbolizes peace and longetivity.
Pictures of gold fish are also popular as they signify prosperity. Such gifts are very meaningful for the older generation as they are aware of their significance.
No comments:
Post a Comment