Guangzhou, the capital and the most populous city of the province Guangdong in southern China is home to the famous Spring Festival Flower Fair held yearly. It is dubbed as the “flower city” because of its emphasis on having gardens and greenery.  During the festival, the streets are decorated with fragrant, colorful and beautiful fresh flowers, golden tangerines and miniature landscapes where people shop for flowers and gifts.

History of Guangzhou Flower Fair

The annual festive flower fair in Guangzhou originated 500 years ago to the Ming Dynasty. The forming of the festival is related to the city’s climate, history and culture. Guangzhou being subtropical, enjoys long days of sunshine and plenty of rainfalls, excellent for growing flowers. The large demand for flowers from the Guangzhou market lead to the formation of the festival for people to appreciate flowers, and the old saying “No flower fairs, no Spring Festival” had also evolved.

In 1920, the festival began to be held regularly. Nowadays, the annual flower fair is divided into 8 major markets all around the city of Guangzhou.

Flowers, Plants and their Symbols

It is a Chinese tradition to welcome spring with flowers. In Guangzhou, it is customary to visit the flower fair on the eve of Spring Festival and buy potted trees with hanging tangerines. Tangerine trees symbolize a fruitful marriage, goodwill, good luck and prosperity or wealth.

People also buy peonies for love, affection and feminine beauty. Peony which was China’s National Flower in 1903, also symbolizes honor, wealth and aristocracy, hence known as “king of flowers.”

Other plants and flowers that people buy include – peach blossoms for romance, longevity and considered as the strongest defense against evil; lettuce for wealth generation and chrysanthemums for long life.

On the contrary, if one comes back home from the fair empty-handed, that would mean a year of unhappiness.

The Chinese Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first Chinese Lunar month. It is the end of the Chinese New year period.

The Lantern festival marks the return of spring and symbolizes a reunion of family but since there is no public holiday for the festival, most people don’t celebrate it with their family.

How did the lantern festival come to life?

Lantern festival originated 2000 years ago. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Hanmingdi who was an advocate of Buddhism; ordered the lighting of lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to show respect to Buddha. Since then, it gradually became a grand celebration among people.

Activities during the lantern festival

People get together on the night of the Lantern Festival to enjoy different activities.

Lighting of lanterns is the main activity of the festival. Lanterns of various shapes, colors and sizes will be seen everywhere during the event – hanging, floating, held or fixed. Children may also hold small lanterns while walking the streets. The lantern symbolizes hope for a brighter and smoother future and best wishes for the families. Women who are praying for a child walk under a hanging lantern.

Another popular activity during the festival is solving lantern riddles. This activity began in the Song Dynasty. Lantern owners put riddles written on a piece of paper inside the lanterns. People who guessed the correct answer win a small prize.

Lion Dance is the most entertaining activity for the celebration. People believed that the Lion as a sign of bravery and strength could drive away evil and could protect people and the land. Aside from jumping and rolling, the lion moves from place to place looking for the red envelopes which have money inside, this makes the activity more exciting and amusing.

Eating tangyuan is an important activity for the festival. Tangyuan is a ball-shaped dumplings made of glutinuous rice flour with different fillings. Families eat tangyuan altogether with the belief that it would bring togetherness and better bond in between the members.

Gong Xi Fa Cai is a common greeting you will hear during Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a major holiday and a festive occasion celebrated in places with significant Chinese populations. This year, Chinese New Year falls on January 28.

In the Philippines, the Chinese New Year is much anticipated by the Filipino-Chinese communities.  Many colorful customs and traditions are observed during this time, which are similar to those practiced in mainland China. Some of the more popular ones are the following:

CLEANING THE HOUSE

Before the Chinese New Year celebrations, people meticulously clean their homes. They scrub the walls, sweep the floor, change linens and dust the entire house. This is their way of showing respect to the family and their ancestors.

PAYING OFF DEBTS

People also pay off all their financial obligations before the Chinese New Year. Carrying any burdens from the previous year is believed to bring bad luck, so people try to settle all their debts.

GIVING RED ENVELOPES

Giving red envelopes or hongbao is also a custom observed during Chinese New Year. These red envelopes contain money and is commonly given to kids as Chinese New Year gifts. The color red is a symbol of happiness and blessings. Giving away red envelopes bestows good wishes and luck upon the receiver.

HAVING NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER WITH FAMILY

The Chinese New Year is also the time where families get together. People usually have New Year’s Eve dinner at home where fortune food like fish, dumplings, spring rolls and longevity noodles are served.

EATING NIAN GAO OR TIKOY

Nian gao or Tikoy in the Philippines is a sweet delicacy prepared from glutinous rice that is traditionally eaten or given away during the Chinese New Year. Nian gao means “higher year.” When you give someone nian gao or tikoy, it means you are wishing that person prosperity in the coming year.

PERFORMING DRAGON DANCES

Dragon dances are likewise performed on the streets by people wearing colorful dragon costumes. A team of dancers carry the Chinese dragon on poles and mimics the movements of the dragon to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and gongs. To the Chinese people, the dragon symbolizes power and prestige and is believed to bring good luck.

SETTING OFF FIREWORKS

The Chinese New Year celebration is not complete without fireworks. The Chinese believe that setting off fireworks when the clock strikes 12:00 on New Year’s Eve will drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune in the coming year.