Unlocking the Art and Tradition of Chinese New Year Couplets

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CNY

There’s a whole lot to know if you’re going to celebrate Chinese New Year properly, and this year I plan on doing everything by the book and sticking as close to tradition as possible, partly to teach my little girl this side of her heritage and partly to finally satisfy the curiosity I’ve had for it all these decades. So, join me as I explain every Chinese New Year tradition that’s about to take over the city.

So far we've covered:

- A day-to-day breakdown of how to properly celebrate CNY

Search #JingkidsCNY to find more articles on this topic.

If you haven’t noticed them already, you will soon. Doors all over the country are soon going to be flanked by newly pasted red couplets. These couplets are known as chunlian (春联) and there’s more to them than I originally thought. They carry profound meaning and auspicious wishes for the coming year.

1What Are Chinese New Year Couplets?

Chinese New Year couplets are pairs of poetic lines, typically written in calligraphy on red paper, representing well-wishes, blessings, and hopes for the future. They are an essential part of the festive decorations and are believed to bring good luck and fortune to the household.

Symbolic Colors and Materials2

The choice of red, symbolizing prosperity and happiness in Chinese culture, is no coincidence. Red paper, gold ink, and even the act of writing with a brush are all carefully chosen to enhance the couplets’ symbolic meaning, fostering positive energy for the new year.

3Common Phrases and ThemesChinese New Year couplets often follow specific linguistic and thematic patterns. Common themes include:

• Wishing for Prosperity (财源广进): These couplets express hopes for wealth and abundance in the coming year.
  
• Longevity and Good Health (身体健康): Couplet wishes for health and longevity are common, emphasizing the importance of well-being.
  
• Family Harmony (家和万事兴): Focused on family values, these couplets express wishes for peace and unity within the household.
  
• Educational Success (学业有成): Encouraging academic achievement, these couplets are often displayed in homes with students.
  
• Good Fortune and Happiness (福禄双全): A classic theme, these couplets encompass general wishes for overall happiness and prosperity.

Displaying Couplets

Couplets are typically placed on both sides of the entrance door, forming a harmonious and symmetrical display. The act of placing them at the entrance is symbolic, signifying the invitation of good luck and positive energy into the home.

The Art of Calligraphy

Chinese New Year couplets showcase not only wishes for the future but also the beauty of calligraphy. Many families take pride in the skillful strokes and artistic flair of the calligrapher, whether it be a professional artist or a talented family member.

As the Chinese New Year approaches, the hanging of couplets becomes a cherished tradition that adds a touch of elegance and cultural significance to the festivities. Beyond their decorative appeal, these poetic expressions convey the hopes and dreams of the Chinese people, encapsulating the spirit of renewal, good fortune, and the promise of a prosperous year ahead. So, as households across the world adorn their doors with these poetic gems, the air is filled with the promise of joy, prosperity, and the timeless beauty of tradition.

You can find ready-made couplets at any supermarket in the coming weeks, but to try your hand at writing your own Chinese New Year couplets, order the materials that you’ll need on Taobao. This makes for a great family afternoon activity as well as a fun way to teach Chinese New Year to the kids. Check out the links below.

First, let’s get the ink. This shop sells quality inks available in gold and black:

If you’ve yet to become a skilled calligrapher, these couplets come with blessings already printed on them so they can be easily traced:

For those who want to do it all on their own, blank couplet papers are also available:

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Images: Taobao, Mina Yan, Bing

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