While the winter season may seem a somewhat contrary time to turn your mind to matters floral, it’s actually a peak purchasing time for Hongkongers. Every year, at around this time, tens of thousands of petal-minded purchasers descend upon the annual Lunar New Year Fair – also known as the Lunar New Year Flower Market – in search of the perfect festive flowers to gift their loved ones.
This year, in spite of social distancing measures and the downbeat sentiment triggered by the on-going coronavirus pandemic, the government green-lit the fair – albeit at half capacity. As such, from the 6th to 12th of February, 15 locations across Hong Kong will serve as the venues for this year’s offering, with Causeway Bay’s Victoria Park and Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok set to welcome the bulk of the hundreds of vendors and the thousands of visitors expected to participate in this seven-day garland gala.
Many Hongkongers will have already decided exactly which plants they plan on taking on, whether that’s ornate orchids, pulchritudinous peach blossoms or luxuriant lucky bamboo plants. What most may not be aware of, however, is why these particular blooms are especially sought out during the Spring Festival. If you are one of the many yet to be fully conversant with the arcane arts of floriography – the official term for deciphering the language and symbolism of flowers – fear not. Join us on a tour through the A-to-Z of the most auspicious CNY blooms, highlighting what they symbolise and advising how you can best avoid any inappropriate gift-giving gaffes.
Orchids
The diverse family of flowering plants known colloquially as orchids encompasses a staggering 28,000 varietals. Varying in shapes, hues and sizes, these tropical blossoms are among the most popular festive adornments to be seen throughout the Chinese New Year celebrations. Said to symbolise abundance, fertility, refinement and luxury, orchids are ideal gifts for that special someone in your life. There’s a common misconception that only multiple varieties make an acceptable gift, when, in fact, sticking to just one potted plant will often more than suffice.
Peach Blossoms
Peach blossoms have long been prized in Chinese culture. In fact, during times more classical, it was believed that the peach tree embodied more vitality than any other shrub, largely because its flowers bloomed even before its leaves began to sprout. As such, peach blossom branches were once hung over doorways as a means of warding off evil influences. Today, they are still seen as promoting long life and prosperity, as well as romance. So, if you’re single and looking to mingle, there’s no harm in grabbing a bushel of these blushing blossoms.
Pussy Willows
Unlike their petaled cousins, pussy willows boast uniquely fluffy and silky blossoms, attributes that in no way diminish their Spring Festival appeal. As their buds eventually spawn shoots the colour of green jade – a substance considered by the Chinese to be particularly fortuitous – pussy willows are believed to help usher in prosperity and growth. Although only naturally occurring in white, intrepid growers have developed dyed versions that range from brown and gold to pink and even a lucky red.
Narcissus
Although in Greek mythology the story of Narcissus is somewhat bleak – with his namesake blooms springing up after the demigod in question withered away after falling in love with his own reflection in a pool – in Oriental tradition, they actually rank among the most auspicious of Chinese New Year flowers. Delicate and deliciously fragrant, they betoken good fortune and prosperity in the year to come. Also known as ‘Water Fairy Flowers’ or ‘Chinese Sacred Lilies’, they have a relatively short lifespan, so it’s best to buy them close to the start of the Lunar New Year Fair in order to ensure they last throughout the celebrations.
Gladiolus
According to Western traditions, gladioli are the birth flowers of those born in the month of August, as well as the traditional blooms associated with a 40th wedding anniversary. In Chinese culture, however, they symbolise advancements in personal development as well as career growth, a belief stemming from the upright shape of the flower from base to tip. Although gladioli are available in a rainbow of stunning colours, the best way to capture the festive spirit is to opt for a mono-hued red whether you’re buying a single branch or an entire bouquet.
Peonies
Among the flora with the greatest heritage of use in East Asia, the peony was actually declared the national flower during China’s Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) and remains a much-favoured Lunar New Year adornment. Emblemising feminine beauty, innocence, charm and affection, they will likely be doubly in vogue this coming Year of the Ox as the Spring Festival coincides with Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking to woo the lucky lady in your life, a bouquet of peonies is pretty much your best bet.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo plants may crop up in offices and homes throughout the year, but they are especially popular during the Spring Festival thanks to their status as good luck charms. The majority of lucky bamboo plants today are grown and exported from either Taiwan or China, where professionally trained growers skilfully braid, twist or shape their stems into intricate patterns. While they are resilient and long-lived, experts recommend watering them with bottled or distilled water as the chlorine and chemicals found in tap water can be detrimental to their wellbeing.
Fruits
No Chinese New Year celebration would be complete without the requisite gifts of fruits. In particular, mandarins and tangerines are much-loved favourites and can usually be seen everywhere throughout the holiday. This may be due to the fact that the Chinese word for mandarins sounds similar to those for luck and good fortune. Tangerine plants, meanwhile, can often be spotted near doorways as they are thought to bequeath good luck on those stepping to and fro.
Another citrus fruit, the pomelo, similarly imparts good fortune. With its Mandarin name serving as a homophone for the words that mean “prayer for a son”, it also doubles as a symbol for family unity and fertility.