Each year, as the first new moon of the Chinese lunar calendar marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the visual language of celebration takes over, with red emerging as the dominant hue in decorations, art, and symbols. Preparations for the New Year begin, with ubiquitous 福 taped onto windows and doors, symbolizing more than just a wish for happiness—believed to invite fortune. Rolls of couplets (春联 ) are placed on the doors, while peach blossoms and bamboo adorn the windows. Each year, as the streets of Chinatown come alive with the beats of lion dances and firecrackers, I’m showered with confetti and given 红包 (red envelopes) filled with money. Every action holds special meaning, symbolizing the giving or receiving of luck for the new year. In the drawer of my desk, I keep a collection of red envelopes from each year, as though hoarding luck itself. Often adorned with gold details and its year’s designated zodiac animal, these envelopes carry more than just monetary value—they symbolize the passing of blessings and the continuity of fortune across generations. The act of giving and receiving red envelopes, in art, represents familial bonds and the transmission of good fortune within the community.
Nancy Wang (Wed,) studied this question.