How has the significance of wearing red on Lunar New Year by East Asia affected their New Year?

By maianni920
  • 420

    Where it all began...

    The Chinese tradition of the colour red traces back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 AD).
  • 960

    Gaining popularity...

    Showing off precious and beautiful possessions such as clothing was common back in the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD).

  • Gaining popularity...

    It became essential for the young to wear beautiful, silk clothes, as it represents respects for their elders, in the Republican period (1912-1949)

  • Popularity

    It then became normalized for Spring Festivals and New Years celebrations to wear silk clothing, but most notably red apparel. The tradition is mainly an artistic cultural expression because it is to dress beautifully for important events. However, there is more to the colour red for the Chinese.

  • Red - 红 (Hóng)

    What does the colour red mean to China? It isn't because their flag is mostly red (however the significance of the colour red plays a big part). When you first step into a Chinese festival, or see people celebrating Chinese New Year around you, the colour most associated with all of it is red.

  • Red - 红 (Hóng)

    Red is the colour of good luck, happiness and success. Because of this, wearing the colour red would mean wishing others good luck and happiness during celebrations.

  • The Spring Festival

    The Spring Festival is all about letting go of the past and welcoming the new things yet to come, hence why red is a popular colour to wear to bring good fortune to you and the people around you.

  • An example of the significance of red.

    The red little envelopes shown above are pockets of money. These are given as gifts to loved ones, by loved ones, to bring good luck and happiness to each other. It is known to be called "Lucky Money," but it is really called Hongbao (meaning red bag).

  • Chinese New Year

    From the photo shown, you can see that majority of the decorations and activities are drenched in the colour red. Lanterns, envelopes, dresses, flowers, the dragons, the food, and so much more! Putting good fortune, happiness and success all around China on New Years day is everyone's way of celebrating their lives and saying hello to the new things coming into their lives. Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1122 BC) was when New Years was first, and presumably, celebrated.

  • Wearing Red on New Years

    The colour red is worn and used by many South Asian countries that neighbour China. It is a colour that symbolizes luck and good fortune. Thus, wearing it on their Lunar New Year celebrations is traditional.