SEEING RED!

I never saw so much of the color red as during this one entire week of Chinese New Year celebrations in mainland China. I wouldn't say red is exactly my favorite color, although, I realized that when it comes to fashion, I like it a lot. I used to have a favorite red dress I wore for years, I like red blouses and I'm still on the hunt for the perfect red shoe. Red is bright, bold and dynamic and is a great statement color for any occasion. Nobody can deny that.  

Here in China though, red takes on a whole new meaning and level of significance for the Chinese. Aside from being the official bridal color at weddings, the color is seen as enthusiastic, a symbol of good luck, celebration, happiness, joy, vitality and long life. This is why during Chinese New Year, the whole of China splashes red around in full display. 

Chinese New Year decorations are a very important part of the New Year festivities and some of my favorites are the Money Tree, the red lanterns and the red envelopes or "hong bao". The Chinese Money Tree is believed to bring money and fortune to people and is a symbol of affluence, nobility and auspiciousness. The Chinese red lanterns symbolize wealth and if you hang them during Chinese New Year, a wedding or a party, it is said to bring money, luck and harmony. The tiny red envelopes called "hong bao" in Mandarin are traditionally filled with money and are typically only given to children or unmarried adults. This means that I received none of these! haha. :) No hong bao for me...

But I did get a chance to see an entire week of celebrations, festivities and the "hong bao" being used as decorations (usually hung on the Money Trees). Here are some pictures of Chinese New Year week.

ME POSING BY THE MONEY TREE AT HYATT REGENCY'S LOBBY
HANGZHOU, CHINA

RED LANTERNS AT HOWARD JOHNSON'S LOBBY
HEFEI, CHINA

HONG BAO HANGING ON A MONEY TREE

MONEY TREES AT HOWARD JOHNSON'S LOBBY
HEFEI, CHINA

HAPPY YEAR OF THE DRAGON TO YOU ALL!!