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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the lunar calendar nears the end of its cycle, people around the world are ready to ring in the New Year with a festive celebration. Every home and street corner is adorned with vibrant decorations, from lanterns to wall hangings, in the distinctive shade of red.
But have you ever wondered why red is associated with Lunar New Year colors? In this article, we'll explore the history, symbolism, and cultural significance of red in this cherished celebration.
The Symbolism of Red
In Chinese culture, red is more than just a color; it carries the spiritual meaning of positivity. For example, in A Study on the Metaphor of "Red" in Chinese Culture, Huang Qiang found that Chinese people associate red with life, happiness, warmth, and good fortune because of its similarity to the color of the sun.
In addition to the belief that red can bring joy and celebration, the vibrant hue is also synonymous with luck and prosperity. In Chinese, the color red is known as hong, and the latter can be found in the phrase "kai men hong," which translates to a good start, and is often used when someone makes a profit at the beginning of a day, month, or year.
Red is also strongly associated with well-being, youth, beauty, health, and even revolution and socialism.
Given its many positive symbolisms, it should come as no surprise that red ornaments and decorations are often used to adorn various Chinese events, including weddings and other celebrations.
The Legend Behind the Red
The association of red with the Lunar New Year also comes from Chinese mythology, specifically the story of Nian. This describes a fearsome beast with a lion-like head and a sharp horn that terrorizes villages.
According to the Confucius Institute for Scotland, the legend says that Nian appears on the last day of the lunar year to wreak havoc by devouring livestock - and even people. One day, a silver-haired man approached a villager and promised to scare the monster away, but the people were too frightened to believe him.
As Nian approached the village, a loud noise of firecrackers suddenly erupted, startling the cruel beast. The old man, dressed in a bright red outfit, boldly confronted Nian, causing the beast to flee in fear.
Eventually, the villagers discovered that the creature feared loud noises, fire, and most importantly, the color red. To ward off Nian, they began hanging red lanterns, lighting firecrackers, and wearing red clothing.
Red in Lunar New Year Traditions
The influence of red can be seen in almost every aspect of Chinese New Year celebrations. Here are some key traditions that highlight its importance, citing China Highlights:
1. Red Envelopes (Hongbao)
Giving and receiving hongbao, or red envelopes filled with money, is one of the most popular Lunar New Year customs. The red color is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits to both the giver and receiver.
2. Decorations
Homes and streets are decorated with red banners, lanterns, and paper cutouts to enhance the festive atmosphere. These are not just decorations; as mentioned earlier, red ornaments are also meant to scare away evil spirits such as Nian.
3. Firecrackers
The lighting of firecrackers, another tradition associated with the Nian legend, adds to the festive atmosphere while chasing away bad luck. The fiery red sparks also symbolize readiness to usher in a prosperous new year.
Other Significant Colors in Chinese Culture
Other than red, several colors hold positive symbolism in Chinese Culture. China Highlights explained that yellow represents royalty and freedom from material needs. This is why you may find yellow trinkets during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Green is also a prominent color in the culture. It symbolizes wealth, fertility, regeneration, hope, harmony, and growth. Some banks and buildings in China are painted green to attract good fortune.
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