Symbols of Chinese New Year

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During these 15 days of the Chinese New Year one will see superstitious or traditional cultural beliefs with meanings which can be puzzling in the eyes of those who do not celebrate this occasion, people usually use bottles and apples to symbol "safety" as the Chinese words of bottle and apple pronounce "Ping" which means safety; golden fish for wealth; melon vine for the bless of many children; peach for longevity; "hornet and monkey" for offering official posts; chicken for lucky; rice cake for happiness.

There is a customary reason that explains why everything, not just limited to decorations, is centered on the color red. One best and common example is the red diamond-shaped posters with the character 福 (Fu), or "auspiciousness" which are displayed around the house and on doors. This sign is usually seen hanging upside down, since the Chinese word 倒 (dao), or "upside down", sounds the same as 到 (pinyin: dao), or "arrive". Therefore, it symbolizes the arrival of luck, happiness, and prosperity.

Red is the predominant color used in New Year celebrations. Red is the emblem of joy, and this color also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity. On the Chinese opera stage, a painted red face usually denotes a sacred or loyal personage and sometimes a great emperor. Candies, cakes, decorations and many things associated with the New Year and its ceremonies are colored red. The sound of the Chinese word for "red" (红) is "hong" in Mandarin which also means "prosperous." Therefore, red is an auspicious color and has an auspicious sound.

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