Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái
“wishing you a prosperous new year”
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the longest and most important festival in Chinese culture. It is celebrated on the new moon of the first month according to the lunar calendar, and is a time for family reunions and wonderful feasts.
The pussy willow is a favorite flower for Chinese New Year. Stalks of the plant are decorated with gold and red ornaments and red packets. I love decorating my pussy willow tree - it feels like an extension of my Christmas tree.
2015
The year of the goat/lamb/sheep.
According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal sign: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon (me), Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. If you were born in: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 or 2015, you are a goat.
Goat people are said to be elegant, charming, artistic, gifted and creative. They are also dreamers. They are very delicate - their good manners and charms always bring many admirers and friends. They can be pessimistic, hesitant and worriers. They can be lazy and can be obsessed with their appearance.
Lucky Colors: brown, red, purple
Lucky Numbers: 2, 7
Lucky Flowers: carnation, primrose
Are there any goats out there? Does this describe you? If you are curious as to what sign you are, visit my post from last year.
At Chinese New Year it is traditional for parents and grandparents to give gifts of "lucky money" to children and unmarried adults. The money, which can vary from a small, new coin to a substantial sum, is always presented in a red envelope called Hong Bao.
It is said that having pussy willows in your home during the holidays will bring you abundant luck, wealth, and prosperity for the New Year.
Many of the ornaments have a meaning, like the gold coins below, which are thought to bring wealth.
The Chinese believe that red is a symbol of happiness and gold is a symbol of wealth.
The red diamond-shape means blessings and happiness, and are displayed on the entrances of Chinese homes.
The lantern is a symbol of brightness and love.
Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!
And to you and Im a goat !!! Love your charms I think I'm off to buy some pussy willow.
Posted by: Viv Halliwell | 02/13/2015 at 02:26 AM
I have just read an article that states that the goat/sheep is the least popular of all the Chinese zodiac signs and that many Chinese will not marry a goat person! Apparently there is quite a drop in the birth rate for those years. Alas, I'm a goat.Looking at my profile I agree with everything, except that being "very delicate" is not always charming or admirable haha.
Posted by: Gerda Pretorius | 02/13/2015 at 04:03 AM
A very happy Chinese New Year to you too! The charms on your tree are lovely.I especially like the little goat!
Posted by: Gerda Pretorius | 02/13/2015 at 04:05 AM
I love the new header!!
Happy New Year!
Posted by: bobbie | 02/13/2015 at 11:38 AM
I love pussy willows! We don't find them around here, not sure why. And those ornaments are beautiful!
Posted by: Dotti | 02/13/2015 at 08:01 PM
love, love your tree! In Myanmar they use branches of loquat trees to decorate their homes for the Chinese New Year
Posted by: Carol aka Traveller | 02/14/2015 at 12:34 AM
Cathy, I LOVE your new blog design. I've just been reading the latest issue of Uppercase magazine, all about textiles, and thought of you and your many beautiful fabrics collected on your travels. As always, you bring me along on your travels - sharing the people and their culture. Happy Chinese New Year! Thank you for sharing the photo of your gorgeous pussy willow tree - fully decorated - and for the details behind the story. Your still life photo for Year of Goat looks as perfect as a picture postcard!
Posted by: Donna | 02/14/2015 at 07:04 AM
Your New Year decorations are delightful - enjoy your holiday!
Posted by: pat | 02/14/2015 at 11:48 AM
I am a goat, although I hope I don't have ALL of those traits - LOL!
Posted by: Kathy | 02/14/2015 at 03:24 PM
So enjoyed this! Learned so much! Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge. I attended the Chinese New Year celebration in Chinatown in Manhattan one year and LOVED it!
Posted by: Robin aka gotham girl | 02/14/2015 at 03:39 PM