Chinese New Year Color Meaning

Happy New Year

The fifteen days of the Lunar New Year — Chinese New Year — is celebrated in Asian communities worldwide, and I thought it would be a great time to explore Chinese New Year's color meaning.

Chinese New Year Color Meaning - Red & Gold

Red for good fortune and happiness together with gold for wealth are the auspicious colors of the New Year.

Chinese New Year Color Meaning Good Fortune

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"Fu" meaning "fortune" or "good luck" is one of the most popular characters used during the New Year. It is frequently hung upside down on the front door of a home to mean "good luck came." While it is easy to understand the association of gold with wealth, there is no single explanation of how red became associated with good fortune and good luck. Though all of the stories are equally colorful, my favorite (and most widely known) is the one about Nian.

Nian is a beast who would come either down from the mountains or up from the sea (depending on what part of Asia you are in) and devour humans on New Year's eve. People would put red-paper with messages (couplets) around their doors because they believed that Nian so feared the color red that the monster would be scared away for another year. On New Year's Day, people would greet each other by saying "gong xi fa cai," or "congratulations" for having kept the evil monster away.

“Gung Hay Fat Choy!” translates “Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year.”

The tradition of placing red signs or putting a fresh coat of red paint on doors and windows before New Year's day still exist today. People also stay up until midnight setting off fireworks to frighten away evil spirits. This tradition is one of the reasons red is the most revered color for Chinese New Year. Red symbolizes fire, which scares away the evil spirits, so people dress head to foot in new red clothing for the same reason. White or black clothing is often avoided during the festivities as they represent the traditional colors of mourning for Chinese.

The Tradition Of Giving Red Envelopes

“Lai See” or red envelopes and the tradition of stuffing of crisp bills inside to give to single young adults, children, and employees is a gesture meant to bring the recipient good luck and good health in the upcoming year. Interestingly the amount of the money given should be of an even number since giving odd amounts of money is associated with funerals.

Chinese New Year Color Meaning Red Envelopes

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Chinese New Year Customs: Dance Of The Lion & Dance Of The Dragon

Chinese New Year Color Meaning Dragon

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The dance of the dragon and the lion's dance is always part of a New Year's parade; the dance wards off evil and bring good fortune and health in the new year.

I highly recommend that you take part in the cultural experience of a traditional Chinese New Year parade. It is one loud, colorful, and super fun way to spend an afternoon!

The Lantern Festival

The 15th day of the new year, called the Lantern Festival marks the end of the new year festivities. The celebration takes place at night with red lanterns displayed throughout towns and children carrying red lanterns in a parade.

Chinese New Year Color Meaning Red chinese lanterns

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There are so many fascinating traditions and symbolism associated with this time of year, check out this article to learn even more. Interested in finding out all about your animal birth sign?

Are you interested in finding out all about your animal birth sign? This fun article about Chinese horoscopes will have you reading up on everyone, you know. Then add a little “good fortune” style to your life- by checking out my favorite Chinese goodies resource Pearl River.

Read Time: 3 min
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Kate Smith
Kate Smith is an optimistic, expressive, artist, designer, writer and color fanatic. With her warm and witty style, Kate teaches you to clearly see, understand and be inspired by color. Then she guides you step-by-step to develop your own unique color sense-ability and achieve results you never dreamed possible.
  • I went to the parade in Chinatown yesterday. There were lots of colorful confetti everywhere. It was a really fun day. I saw the red envelopes you mentioned being given to children.

    • Kate Smith says:

      That sounds like a very fun day plus you got to see the red envelopes for yourself. 🙂

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