Exploring the Flowers & Fruit of Lunar New Year
Guest editor Marlene M. Kristoff explores the flowers & fruit of the Lunar New Year of the tiger.
Flowers & Fruit of Lunar New Year
Enjoy preparing for festive lunar celebrations beginning February 1st and traditionally running two weeks!
Feast and enjoy Luck for the New Year of the Tiger…marking a fast-paced year ahead, driving back evil spirits, and celebrating a better connection with nature!
Symbols abound for this new lunar year…from gorgeous Orchids to Peach & Plum Blossoms, delicate Peonies, fragrant Narcissus, furry Pussy Willows, and luscious Pomelos, Grapes, Apples, seeded Watermelons, and, of course, symbolic lucky Oranges!!
These lovely flowers and fruits are often gifted and enjoyed for décor – so let’s feast and celebrate all over the world! Please enjoy some of their beauty and special meaning.
Orchids
Refinement, Luxury, Innocence, Fertility
Orchid Lace Silk Camisole (Saks Fifth Avenue) | Embossed Orchid Note Cards (Gump’s) | Orchid Note Cards (Gump’s) | Bliss White Orchid (Pro Flowers) | Orchid Lariat (Neiman Marcus) | Gold Orchid Ring Catch (Horchow)
Peach Blossoms
Romance, Prosperity and Growth
(State flower of Delaware, due to their many orchards.)
Flowering Peach Branches (Etsy)
Plum Blossoms
Endurance, Courage, Perseverance, Reliability
Bliss Blossom Wallpaper (Macy’s)
Peonies
Richness, Peace, Feminine Beauty, Innocence, Affection, Charm
Known as the Flower of Riches.
Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne (Bloomingdale’s) |Peony & Blush Suede Candle (Bloomingdale’s)
Pussy Willows
Growth and Prosperity
White/red Willow Decor (Etsy) | Dried Pussy Willow Branches (MAVEN)
Narcissus and Water Fairy Flowers
Good Fortune, Prosperity
Faux Narcissus (Pottery Barn) | Faux Potted Paperwhites (Pottery Barn) | Paperwhite Delight Bulb Gift (BloomingBulb) | Artel Narcissus Glassware (ScullyandScully)
Oranges
Abundance and Happiness
It is traditional to place mandarin oranges along with a red envelope in special places in the household to bring good fortune and blessings…next to children’s pillows, in rice containers, as well as for gifting.
Orange Blossom Cologne (Bloomingdale’s) | Orange Blossom Candle (Neiman Marcus)
| Le Phyto-Rouge Lipstick (Neiman Marcus) | Honey Bell Orange Bundt Cake (Macy’s)
Pomelos
Good Luck and Family Unity!!
Green or yellow, ripened, an important fruit used in cooking. They are in season, right before new year…and believed to bring good luck to the household. – All good things come in twos‘ – decorate with a pair!
Pomelo Paradis Cologne Absolue (Bergdorf Goodman) | Hirado Pummelo Tree (Etsy)
Apples
Harmony and Wish for Peace
Green apple represents money. Red apple symbolizes prosperity and abundance – love them both!!
Palm Centerpiece Bowl (Neiman Marcus) | Apple Coin Purse (Kate Spade New York)
Watermelons
Wealth and Prosperity…
because of the many seeds it contains.
Watermelon Pitcher (Neiman Marcus) | Watermelon Live Plant (Macy’s) | Wavertree & London Watermelon Soap (Macy’s) | Watermelon Seeds (Amazon)
Grapes
Wealth and Fortune…
is luxury fruit. Eaten by royalty, symbolizing wealth, fortune, fertility, and prosperity.
Alabaster Bella Grapes (Wayfair)
New Year of the Tiger
As many of you know, Gump’s is a very special San Francisco destination known for quality and many Asian artifacts, particularly Jade. It is wildly important to my career, life, and many enduring friendships! The Shou symbol of long life and prosperity is its classic icon and certainly symbolizes my wish for each of you, as we embark on celebrations for our New Year of the Tiger – 2022! Kung Hei Fat Choy – Cheers and Ganbei…with little memories of my dear lifelong friend RCS, banquets and our buying days in China – Great Wall and all! xoxo MMK
Green Nephrite Jade Cabochon Ring (Gump’s) | Green Nephrite Jade & Gold Hinged Bangle (Gump’s) | Black Jade Pi & Gold Shou Pendant (Gump’s)
PS: The toast in China is ganbei (“gon bay”) which literally means “dry cup.” Unlike in the West, you’re expected to empty your cup after each toast given, or at least try!! Good Luck!!
Style at a Certain Age Saturday guest editor Marlene M. Kristoff shares luxury retail, home, and design ideas.
Beth, thoroughly enjoying your blog. In my 7th decade I was losing confidence in my lifelong interest in staying fit and fashionable. I find I already have many of the basics you build on in my wardrobe after many years of buying quality on sale. Your examples encourage me with ideas to use what I.already own and enhance with something new I find on sale. Feeling well dressed again without changing over my entire closet. THANKS for the inspiration. Shoes and boots are the challenge. No more stilletos for me. And my feet have widened. Attractive affordable footwear is a huge challenge for many of us. Your help advocating for us with your contacts in the fashion industry would be great. So many older women give in to frumpy because the options are increasingly.limited with the popularity of fast fashion. You can kerp.a great blazer forever. But shoes and boots get used hard. Thanks again. Great blog.