Auspicious decorations for your home

Chinese culture has traditionally assigned meanings to different objects. Symbolism is deeply rooted in every ritual, decoration and celebration.

Take for example the Chinese New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival, the occasion marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. People use this time to seek luck and prosperity.

Here are 10 auspicious decorations that you can incorporate into your home.

1. Red lanterns

In Chinese culture, red symbolizes good fortune. Red lanterns, for instance, are said to drive off bad luck. It is a key part of of the celebration for many believe that it also brings fame, happiness and prosperity.

Nearly 80 percent of China’s lanterns are made in the small village of Tuntou in Hebei, in the foothills of the Dabie Mountains close to Beijing. Nearly 80 million red lanterns are made each year, earning the town the nickname “The Lantern Capital of China.”

2. Door banners

It is a long upheld custom to hang bright red paper door banners for good luck.

These bright red papers have messages written in gold, statements that residents often wish for such as good fortune, peace, prosperity, safety and wealth. These are posted in pairs as even number are associated with good luck.

3. Paper cuttings

The art of Chinese paper cutting came about after the invention of paper by Ts’ai Lin in 105 CE. Soon, paper became affordable and the art is practiced nationwide. Now, it is used to decorate almost anything — lanterns, fans or embroidered fabrics.

For Chinese New Year, the image of a plant or animals inspire the cuttings. For example, a lotus with fish stands for wealth in the next year, a pomegranate indicates wish for prosperity and fertility, peach for longevity, mandarin duck for love, pine tree eternal youth, peony for honor and wealth.

4. Chinese New Year firecrackers

Instead of wreaths or garlands, red firecrackers are often seen hanging on walls and door entrances. These are set off at the stroke of midnight to scare away bad spirits.

According to Chinese legend, monster Nian would always attack villages. To ward him off, residents would use these firecrackers as he is afraid of the color red and the noise it makes.

5. Upside down ‘Fu’ character

“Fu,” meaning good fortune or blessings, is a common Chinese character seen during Chinese New year. It is often written on a red, diamond-shaped paper and hung upside down on doors. Pasting it in such a way has something to do with the linguistic twist. The reverse “Fu” is homophonic with “fu de ao” which means “luck comes.” Hence, the upside-down “fu” indicates “good fortune has arrived.”

6. Kumquat trees

Kumquat, called gam gat sue in Chinese, stands for wealth. Gam is Cantonese “gold” and gat sounds like the Cantonese word for “good luck.” Likewise in Mandarin, kumquat is called jinju shu. Jin means gold and ju means “good luck.” Kumquat trees are often seen in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong and Guangxi.

7. Gold ingot

Chinese gold ingot, or yuanbao, was used in Ancient China as currency.

These boat-shaped gold charms are used today as shiny ornaments. It is always a symbol of wealth and an auspicious article for household. It is also given as gifts to family and friends during special occasions like birthdays and weddings.

Aside from gold, Chinese ingots are also made from silver, brass, copper and iron.

8. Chinese knots

Intricate in style, Chinese knots are hung during holidays. These are given for good luck as it is said they protect people from evil spirits. The endless knots also represent longevity.

Knot weavers use a variety of colors but usually red is common because it signifies good fortune.

9. Ancient Chinese coins

Coins are always associated with prosperity and wealth.

The square hole in the center of the coin represents heaven. The round shape, meanwhile, symbolizes earth. These coins are used in feng shui to create positive energy flow or chi in homes or office.

Chinese coins are tied with a red string for good luck.