Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in many countries that historically used lunisolar calendars. Chinese culture celebrates Spring Festival, to mark the beginning of spring and gather with family. Many Spring Festival traditions, including plants and flowers, welcome health, wealth and other good wishes for the new year. If you celebrate Lunar New Year, what are some plants and flowers in your home?
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
蘭花 Orchid
Orchids are associated with nobility and pure character, and are especially popular and expensive during the Spring Festival. Orchids are a respectful gift for relatives and friends, in particular the purple or yellow varieties, because these colors represent success and good fortune.
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
竹 Bamboo
Bamboo brings good fortune to the inhabitants of its room, specifically luck in romance when there are two stalks of bamboo, or happiness and career growth with three stalks of bamboo.
(Vivian Lam / Los Angeles Times)
梅花 Plum blossom
Plum blossoms are associated with perseverance and courage because they bloom in the cold between winter and spring. It is a sweet gift for a reliable friend, or anyone who needs a little boost of courage.
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
剑兰 Gladiolus / Sword Lily
The unique appearance of sword lilies isassociated with the phrase 步步高陞, “rise with every step.” A bouquet of red sword lilies reaching for the sky is ideal for people interested in self-improvement and upward mobility.
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
桃花 Peach blossom
Peach is a homonym for “diagram” in Cantonese, so peach blossoms are a metaphor for seeing the big picture and growth in romantic love and wealth. These flowers are a match for small business owners and single people on dating apps.
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
水仙花 Narcissus / Daffodil
Daffodils are one of the most auspicious flowers, because they bloom in the first month of the lunar year. Daffodils welcome good fortune for the new year, and are known for their sweet fragrant.
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
牡丹 Peony
Peonies are famous for their beauty and fragrance, and are associated with great prosperity and nobility. A former national flower in the history of China, peonies are perfect for those who aspire to be influential in society.
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
鏡面草 Pilea peperomioides
This is not a traditional Spring Festival plant, but its English nicknames — “Chinese money plant,” “lucky thaler” and “friendship plant” — have the same spirit as the holiday and make it a great Lunar New Year gift for friends.
(Vivian Lam / For The Times)
Fruit
Pomelos symbolize family unity and brings good tidings to the household. Kumquats are a homonym for “gold luck” in Cantonese. Oranges are like sunshine, and represent joy and abundance. Pineapple in Hokkien sounds like “fortune arrives.”
Vivian Lam is an illustrator living in Los Angeles. Follow @latimesplants on Instagram.
