If you’re planning to add some joyful colour to your home this coming Lunar New Year, you might want to consider the following flowers which are believed to bring luck, love and health in Chinese culture.
Some of these blooms are rare and hard to get while others are quite common, so find the right ones to match your home and decor, as well as your budget.
Pussy Willow
A favourite during the festive period and seen in almost every Chinese family home, pussy willows signal the arrival of spring and symbolise Growth and Prosperity. The Chinese believe the longer the stalks of these white fluffy buds, the better luck they bring. Kept well, pussy willows can last for months long after CNY is over.
Cherry Blossom
With the approach of Lunar New Year, our nurseries are suddenly filled with trees and stalks of gorgeous pink cherry blossoms – one might be mistaken to think that we were in Japan or China during spring! Known as the bloom that heralds the advent of spring (a joyous occasion in any country), the cherry blossom is also believed to represent Renewal, Power, Love and Strength in Chinese culture.
Peach Blossom
Delicate and pretty like the cherry blossoms, peach blossoms have shorter stems and fewer blooms per stalk. For the Chinese they represent Romance, Vitality, Prosperity and Growth – so have a few stalks or a small tree in your home this festive season!
Peony
A traditional symbol in China, the perfect and delicate beauty of the peony has inspired Chinese artists, sculptors, poets and even ordinary folk for centuries. Known as the ‘flower of riches’ in Chinese culture, the peony is a symbol of Romance, Good Luck, Good Social Class, Wealth and Happy Marriage. The peony survives well in cooler climes and is imported into Singapore seasonally, so it is best to order them in advance with your florist. Pink and red peonies are the preferred colours for Lunar New Year.
Chrysanthemum
A favourite in many homes during CNY celebrations, the yellow, or golden, chrysanthemum (or autumn/winter rose) is known as a symbol of autumn in Chinese culture, and also for Longevity and Health. The golden or yellow hue is seen by the Chinese to symbolise Prosperity and Wealth.
Hibiscus
A common flower in our region, the hibiscus is rarely seen during CNY but it is known to symbolise Fame, Glory and Riches. There are many different coloured blooms but for the festive period, stick to pink or red as they represent life and celebration.
Orchid
Orchid lovers will be delighted to know that their fave bloom represents good luck in Love, Fertility, Nobility, Wealth and Good Fortune. It also symbolises Beauty and Good Taste.
Narcissus
Pricey and relatively rare, these flowers are also commonly known as daffodils. They have to be imported from cooler climes although they bloom well in warmer temperatures – for a short time. You can select the all-yellow blooms or the delicate white ones with gorgeous golden centres as the gold hue represents Wealth. Known as sacred lilies in Chinese culture, symbolising Good Fortune and Prosperity, these blooms have a lovely scent as well, so they are perfect to have in the house.
Gladiolus
Available in a wide variety of gorgeous colours, these flowers are now quite commonly seen in most homes for Lunar New Year. Sold in bunches, gladiolus symbolise rising Career Progression as the flowers grow upwards from the base of the stems. For CNY, the red gladiolus blooms are the most popular for their auspicious colour.
What’s your favourite Lunar New Year flower, and why? Tell us at magnsman@sph.com.sg
