January 19, 2012

 

♥ Every 12 years, the Dragon breathes fire into Victoria. 

The official Chinese New Year launches Monday January 23, with its moon cycles ruling over the solar cycles. But celebrations start as early as today and continue into the first week of February. Chinese New Year is known as the Spring Festival 春節 and marks the end of the winter season. It is the most important day for Chinese families because it represents 除夕(the Chú Xī) or “Eve of the Passing Year.”

There are many traditions and beliefs associated with the preparation of  除夕, including a complete spring clean and the decoration of each family home.  It is believed that the only way to make room for good incoming luck, is to sweep away any ill-fortune that may have found space in their home. They then decorate their home with fine fresh flowers and plants, in preparations for a large family gathering.

Homes are fully decorated with fresh flowers and live blooming plants. Plants and Flowers are highly symbolic to Chinese. Plum blossoms just starting to bloom, arranged with bamboo and pine sprigs, symbolize 

friends; the plum blossom signifies reliability and perseverance; the bamboo is known for its compatibility, its utility and it’s flexible and the evergreen pine evokes longevity and steadiness. Other highly prized flowers are the pussy willow, azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus. The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone. Over-all flowers are symbolic of wealth and high positions in one’s career rebirth and new growth therefore the Chinese firmly believe that ‘without flowers, there would be no first-fruits.’ It is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations.

θ Lucky is the home with a plant that blooms on New Year’s Day,

for that foretells a year of prosperity.

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar. Therefore staff from Petals n Buds Florists will recognize Kung Hee Fat Choy from January 20 through to February 5. Along with having a full selection of Blooming plants and cut flowers brought in just for this season, in our table-side sales program we ensure each fresh flower incorporates red color paper-cuts a unique greeting. These cuts are specially written to wish you “good fortune” or “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity”.

A Chinese New Year wish from Petals n Buds…

年年有余

(nián nián yǒu yú)

May you always receive more than you hope for!

Chinese Zodiac

 ~by Qiu Gui Su

The Chinese zodiac cycles every 12 years, and each year is named after an animal. This is the year of the Dragon.

• Rabbit : February 03, 2011 – January 22, 2012
• Dragon : January 23, 2012 – February 09, 2013
• Snake : February 10, 2013 – January 30, 2014
• Horse : January 31, 2014 – February 18, 2015
• Sheep : February 19, 2015 – February 07, 2016
• Monkey : February 08, 2016 – January 27, 2017
• Rooster : January 28, 2017 – February 18, 2018
• Dog : February 19, 2018 – February 04, 2019
• Pig : February 05, 2019 – January 24, 2020
• Rat : January 25, 2020 – February 11, 2021
• Ox : February 12, 2021 – January 31, 2022
• Tiger : February 1, 2023 – February 19, 2011

 PS. Just a suggestion… if you are not Chinese but choose to follow their traditions just remember “Don’t clean your home for the first few days of the New Year. If you do any sweeping during this time, you risk sweeping away your good luck.”