5 Decor Tips for This Chinese New Year
Dong dong qiang! Dong dong qiang! Chinese New Year is less than a month away, and plenty of malls and shops are already decked up to bring the festive new year cheer!
Most of us have started shopping for decorations too. Are you thinking about creative decor ideas to ring in the new year as well? Check out these décor tips for Chinese New Year 2023!
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CNY Wreath
According to Chinese tales, a mythical beast called the Nian used to appear at the beginning of Chinese New Year to cause havoc in the village. Later on, the villagers found out that the Nian was afraid of the colour red and loud noises. From then on, hanging something red, like a CNY wreath, on the front door became a tradition that many would practice.
Meanwhile, some others think that the circular shape of a wreath symbolises a sense of perfect fullness and reunion. Combining this with bright red design elements and positive CNY wishes, putting up a CNY wreath on your door is a great way to stay festive.
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Lanterns & Lamps
Just like the tradition of hanging up bright red CNY wreaths, the tradition of hanging up red lanterns came from the same myth of the Nian. In hopes of scaring away the Nian, red lanterns are hung in front of the house. Now, the hanging of lanterns is not only to add a dash of cheerful festive vibes but is also believed to drive off bad luck and usher in good luck for the new year. Besides hanging them up, many creative table lamps are designed to resemble lanterns, and they are a good décor idea too!
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Festive Plants
Festive plants decorated with red ornaments like red packets or lanterns are common when it comes to bringing more festive cheer into the home. While it is a fantastic CNY decor idea, some also see it as a valuable addition for better feng shui in the home. Here are some plants that many love to use when decorating their homes.
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Mandarins, Tangerines & Kumquats
In Cantonese, the word for mandarin orange is pronounced as “Kam”, which sounds similar to the Cantonese word for “Gold”.
It is believed that wealth and good fortune will be brought into the home when these plants are placed near entrances and doorways. Plus, the fruit’s vibrant colour is a great way to brighten up the space.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo symbolises both flexibility and strength, reflecting the ability to accept and adapt to changes, and then move forward in all aspects of life.
According to Chinese traditions, the number of stalks represents various blessings.
1 stalk = Good fortune
2 stalks = Love
3 stalks = Happiness and positivity
5 stalks = Balance, peace, harmony and power
6 stalks = Happiness in life, success at work and harmony at home
7 stalks = Togetherness
8 stalks = Prosperity, wealth and joy of life
Image Source: http://pinterest.com/
Image Source: http://pinterest.com/
Pussy Willows
Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring festival. Interestingly, pussy willows bloom in early spring, perfectly symbolising the welcoming of new beginnings at the beginning of the lunar year.
As a sign of growth and prosperity, they are one of the must-haves when decorating homes during the Chinese New Year festive season.
Plum Blossoms
Decorating homes with plum blossoms is incredibly common during Chinese New Year celebrations.
In Chinese philosophy, plum blossoms are a symbol of winter ending and a herald of spring. Since they often bloom most vibrantly even amidst the harshest winter snow, the Chinese see them as a representation of perseverance, hope, vitality and vigour of nature. They also paint a picture of beauty thriving in adverse circumstances.
In classical Chinese writing, the character for plum blossom expresses the virtues of courage, strength and reliability – which are all essential traits to achieve success in life.
Image Source: http://pinterest.com/
Image Source: http://pinterest.com/
Decorative Items
To add more touches of red or gold to your décor, simply look for small decorative items to place around your home. For the living room, try looking out for cushion covers, wall décor or vases. For the dining table, you can look for tablecloths, napkins, snacks and candy boxes or candles.
Browsing for decoration inspirations and ideas? Tell us which of these décor tips is your favourite!
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