Guide to Placing Chinese New Year Flowers in Your Home

13 Jan

Decorating with flowers during Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) is a cherished tradition that symbolizes good fortune, prosperity, and renewal. Here's a guide on when to start placing these auspicious blooms in your home and how to make the most of their significance.

1. Timing: When to Start Decorating with Flowers

Two Weeks Before Chinese New Year:
Begin decorating your home about two weeks prior to Chinese New Year. This aligns with the traditional period for spring cleaning and preparing your space to welcome good luck and positive energy.
- This time allows the flowers to bloom fully by the start of the festival.
- Markets and flower fairs typically start selling Chinese New Year flowers during this period.
During the Week Before Chinese New Year:
If you prefer fresher blooms, purchase and arrange your flowers a week before the New Year to ensure they stay vibrant throughout the celebrations.
On New Year's Eve:
Some families believe that adding final decorative touches on New Year's Eve enhances the festive atmosphere and solidifies the home's readiness for the holiday.

2. Choosing the Right Flowers

Each flower carries symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. Select blooms that resonate with your wishes for the year:

Peach Blossoms (桃花):
Symbolize love and romance. These are particularly popular for those seeking new relationships or harmony in existing ones.
Plum Blossoms (梅花):
Represent perseverance and hope, often associated with overcoming challenges.
Orchids (蘭花):
A sign of elegance, fertility, and abundance. They are often used to attract wealth and harmony.
Chrysanthemums (菊花):
Represent longevity and prosperity. Gold and yellow varieties are especially favored for good luck.
Narcissus (水仙花):
Known as the “flower of prosperity,” these blooms are believed to bring good fortune and career success.
Kumquat Trees (金桔樹):
Symbolize wealth and abundance due to their golden fruits that resemble coins.
Lucky Bamboo (開運竹):
A classic for enhancing positive energy and attracting good luck.

3. Placement of Flowers

The location of your flowers in the home also matters for maximizing their symbolic impact:

Living Room: Place vibrant blooms in the living room to welcome guests and create a cheerful atmosphere.
Entryway: Display arrangements near the entrance to attract good fortune and positive energy into your home.
Dining Table: Use flowers as a centerpiece to symbolize unity and abundance during family meals.
Windowsills: Position flowers to catch sunlight and ensure they bloom fully, representing bright futures.

4. Maintenance Tips

Freshness: Keep flowers fresh by changing the water daily and trimming stems.
Placement: Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources to extend the lifespan of the flowers.
Discarding Flowers: If flowers wilt or die during the holiday, replace them promptly to maintain a positive and vibrant atmosphere.

5. When to Remove Decorations

Traditionally, Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days and culminate with the Lantern Festival. Flowers can be kept for the duration of the holiday but should be discarded if they start to wilt, as decaying flowers are considered unlucky.

In Summary

Start Date: Two weeks to a week before Chinese New Year is ideal for arranging flowers in your home.
Flower Choices: Select flowers with auspicious meanings to align with your wishes for the new year.
Placement: Position flowers strategically in areas that welcome and enhance good energy.

By planning thoughtfully and maintaining your blooms, you’ll create a vibrant, festive environment that embodies the spirit of renewal and prosperity for the new year.

Florist and Flower Delivery