Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
Anthuriums are considered auspicious during Lunar New Year celebrations for their vibrant and heart-shaped flowers, which symbolize love, passion, and happiness. The bright red color of many anthurium varieties is particularly significant during this festive time, as red is traditionally associated with prosperity and positive energy in Chinese culture. Offering or displaying anthuriums during the Lunar New Year is believed to invite joy and love into the home, making them a popular choice for enhancing the festive atmosphere and expressing best wishes for the coming year.
Chrysanthemum (disbud)
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Chrysanthemums are often associated with longevity and immortality in Chinese culture. The word for chrysanthemum in Chinese, “ju,” sounds similar to the word for “longevity,” making it a symbol of a long and prosperous life. Yellow Chrysanthemums are often given to older family members as they symbolize good fortune and longevity. The yellow coloured flowers in particular are also believed to usher in wealth and prosperity for the year to come.
Forsythia
Forsythia suspensa
Forsythia is considered auspicious during Lunar New Year celebrations primarily due to its vibrant yellow blossoms that symbolize wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture. The bright and cheery color of forsythia flowers is associated with the arrival of spring and the promise of new beginnings, aligning well with the spirit of renewal and optimism during the Lunar New Year. Displaying forsythia branches or bouquets is believed to usher in joy, growth, and the positive energy of the season, making them a popular choice for festive decorations during this auspicious time.
Foxhead
Solanum mammosum
Directly translated as, “Five generations living harmoniously under one roof,” Foxhead fruit are believed to represent the unity and longevity of the family. The symbolism of five generations living together implies a continuity of blessings and positive energy passed down through the ages. It signifies not only the unity of family but also the auspicious nature of sustained well-being, wealth, and good fortune throughout multiple generations.
Gladiolus
Gladiolus sp.
The Gladiolus symbolizes the strength needed to face challenges in the coming year and the determination to uphold moral principles. The long, elegant stems of gladiolus symbolize strength and resilience, reflecting the fortitude required to face life’s challenges. Their vibrant and diverse colors are associated with positive energy, happiness, and good fortune. In some cultures, the sword-shaped leaves of the gladiolus are seen as symbolic of protection, suggesting a shield against negativity and adversity. Additionally, the way gladiolas bloom, from the base to the tip, is believed to represent a rise in one’s career or endeavors, further enhancing their significance as meaningful gifts or decorations during Lunar New Year celebrations to bring positive vibes and good luck upon those who receive them.
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
Jade plants are regarded as auspicious for Lunar New Year celebrations due to their cultural symbolism and association with prosperity and good fortune. In Chinese tradition, the rounded leaves of the jade plant are believed to resemble coins and are thought to attract wealth and financial success. The plant’s resilience and enduring nature further contribute to its positive connotations, making jade plants a popular choice for homes and businesses during the Lunar New Year to invite prosperity and abundance in the coming year.
Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
Lucky Bamboo holds special significance during Lunar New Year celebrations as it is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and positive energy into the home. In Chinese culture, the number of stalks in a lucky bamboo arrangement is thought to carry specific meanings; for example, three stalks represent happiness, wealth, and longevity. Its easy care and ability to thrive in various environments also make lucky bamboo a popular symbolic gift and decoration during the Lunar New Year, signifying growth and prosperity in the coming year.
Money Tree
Pachira aquatica
Pachira, commonly known as the Money Tree, is considered auspicious during Lunar New Year celebrations due to its symbolic significance in various cultures. The plant is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and financial success. Its unique braided trunk is thought to symbolize unity and strength, while the five leaves on each stem represent the five elements of traditional Chinese philosophy. As a result, gifting or displaying a money tree during the Lunar New Year is seen as a positive gesture to attract wealth and positive energy into the coming year.
Narcissus
Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown’
Narcissus flowers are considered auspicious during Lunar New Year celebrations due to their symbolic associations with good fortune, prosperity, and the arrival of spring. In Chinese culture, the narcissus is known as “Shui Xian,” which translates to “water immortals,” and is believed to bring blessings and wealth. The vibrant and fragrant blooms of the narcissus are thought to represent good luck and the promise of a new beginning, making them a popular choice for Lunar New Year decorations and gifts to usher in positive energy and joy for the upcoming year.
Orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
Orchids are considered auspicious during Lunar New Year celebrations as they symbolize beauty, refinement, and abundance in Chinese culture. The elegance of orchid blooms is associated with good fortune and the pursuit of higher virtues. As a representation of harmony and success, gifting or displaying orchids during the Lunar New Year is believed to bring positive energy and blessings, making them a cherished choice for enhancing the festive atmosphere and expressing well-wishes for the coming year.
Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
Pussy Willows are regarded as auspicious during Lunar New Year celebrations due to their symbolic association with growth, prosperity, and the coming of spring. In Chinese culture, the soft and fluffy appearance of pussy willow branches is reminiscent of silk, symbolizing wealth and abundance. Displaying pussy willows during the Lunar New Year is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity into the home, making them a popular and meaningful choice for festive decorations during this auspicious time.
Written by Rainier Macalalag
Store Assistant at UBC Botanical Garden