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5 Chinese New Year Must-haves That Are Believed To Bring You Luck
Welcome the Chinese New Year with good luck!
By: Antonette Louise Guiao | January 25, 2022
Time to bring out those red decorations!
Although Christmas and New Year are over, there's another festive holiday to look forward to—Chinese New Year! Along with the loud and exciting holiday celebration comes a long list of traditions that are done to attract prosperity and good luck throughout the year.
The Chinese, just like the rest of the world, believe that the New Year brings in new changes, which is why it is essential to start it right. From praying, eating food, to dressing up, old customs are strictly observed up to this day, and some of these practices have made their way to the hearts of the Filipinos. If you’re planning to celebrate Chinese New Year, you have to check out this list of must-have items that you can buy in malls and online stores to ring in the year!
1. Ang pao or Chinese Red Envelope
Here’s an item almost all ‘inaanaks’ are familiar with during the holiday!
It isn’t Chinese New Year without ang paos or Chinese red envelopes! One of the most common must-have items used during the celebration, these red envelopes are usually stuffed with brand new bills and are exchanged as a sign of good fortune during the New Year. The envelope itself is considered lucky because of its red color, which the Chinese perceive as a symbolism of energy and happiness. According to Chinese legend, the ang pao keeps children safe from the Chinese demon Sui who comes for them as they sleep on New Year’s Eve.
2. Tikoy
“Tikoy” came from the Hokkien Chinese words “ti” and “ke”, which means “sweet cake” together.
Image: Eng Bee Tin website
A traditional food that both Chinese and Filipinos love, tikoy (a sweet and sticky dish made of glutinous rice mixed with lard, water, and sugar), has been a famous symbol of the Chinese New Year celebration. This tikoy lite classic from the well-known Chinese deli store Eng Bee Tin is always a great go-to meal for the Lunar New Year, plus it is sugar-free! Fun fact: it is believed that this sticky dish is offered to the Kitchen God Zao Sheng every New Year to prevent him from bad-mouthing the human families in front of the Jade Emperor! Usually packed in red boxes with Chinese symbols, this food is given by Chinese businessmen, friends, and colleagues as gifts.
3. Red Dress
Get a fresh, new start in this lovely red dress!
Images: Direct Supplier RTW L&R Clothing
The color red is a classic staple during the Chinese New Year because the color is believed to be lucky and brings good luck. It brings fortune and prosperity to families throughout the year, which is why wearing red clothes during the New Year is still observed up to this day. New Year’s Day also sets the tone for the entire year, so dressing up nicely on the said day means you’ll be dressing up that way for the whole year. What better way to ring in the New Year than with these red dresses from Yoorekka Tiangge Center? Besides its color, you can opt for dresses designed with polka dots that are also considered lucky.
4. Incense Sticks
What better way to welcome the new year than with a prayer and a pleasant aroma?
Image: Scent for Senses
After the eve of Chinese New Year, people turn to the gods. Burning incense in temples is a widely-practiced tradition, which is why getting these incense sticks from Scent for Senses is a good idea. It is believed that burning incense sticks during the New Year makes the Buddhas hear the people’s wishes, and the first person to burn his or her incense gets the biggest chance of being listened to. Time also plays a very crucial role, for it is said that the sooner you get to the temple, the sooner your wishes will come true. Besides lighting incense, striking the bell is also done to wish for happiness, longevity, and prosperity.
5. Red Board Vellum for Papercutting
Red is a well-loved color by the Chinese.
Image: Office Warehouse website
Decorate your window papercutting design using the valiant red board vellum from Office Warehouse this Chinese New Year and bring fortune and happiness to your household for the New Year! It is believed that red papercutting crafts carry people’s wishes during the Chinese New Year. Papercutting of the “Fu” character (good fortune or happiness) is the most popular pattern, and these are commonly placed on windows. Images including fish, dragons, and grains are also beautifully crafted because these symbols are believed to represent blessings and a good harvest.
Chinese New Year won’t be the same without these items, so make this year’s celebration more exciting by stocking up as early as now! Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Go to Yoorekka Magazine for more Chinese New Year celebration ideas!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on January 01, 2021.
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About Antonette Louise Guiao
Antonette is a writer, a night owl, an extrovert, and a BTS ARMY. Her spare time is consumed by drawing digital vector art, sleeping, binge-watching Netflix series, and learning how to cook. An adventurer by heart, she aspires to travel the world with her family, try extreme outdoor activities, and taste all sorts of food in different countries.
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
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careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
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