Guide to Lunar New Year Wall Hangings
Among the many decorations that adorn homes and streets during Lunar New Year, some of the most visually striking and symbolically significant are traditional wall hangings. Typically red in color and written in elegant calligraphy, these meaningful decorations welcome good fortune, prosperity, and harmony into homes during this festive time.
Our Prosperity Box includes two types of wall hangings—the square blessing and a set of couplets—that are double-sided to reflect both the Chinese and Vietnamese holidays. As a Chinese-Vietnamese household living in NYC, I’ve had trouble finding Vietnamese decorations amid the plethora of classic options in Chinatown, so I decided to create wall hangings that honored both cultures.
Our wall hangings are made of durable rice paper cardboard with gold trim, stamped with gold foil, and printed with traditional Chinese and Vietnamese blessings. A Chinese knot and tassel symbolizing good luck, wholeness, and balance completes the classic and minimalist look that is perfect for modern homes.
Square 福 (“Fu”)/Tết Hanging
On one side of the square blessing is the Chinese character for "fu" (福), meaning good fortune or happiness. It's often displayed upside down, since the word for "upside down" (倒, dao) sounds like "arrive" (到, dao), symbolizing the arrival of good luck.
On the other side is the Vietnamese word Tết (“festival”)—the shorthand name for Lunar New Year in Vietnam, which is Tết Nguyên Đán (”Festival of the First Day”).
Set of Couplets
Couplets are essential decorations in the Chinese tradition, featuring auspicious phrases and wishes for the New Year. Typically hung on either side of doorways, they are believed to usher in good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Our double-sided couplets for the Year of the Dragon reflect the following blessings:
Chinese:
年年有餘 (nián nián yǒuyú): May you have abundance year after year
岁岁平安 (suì suì píng'ān): Everlasting peace year after year
Vietnamese:
Chúc mừng năm mới: Happy new year
Vạn sự như ý: May everything you wish come true
How to Style
- The square blessing is meant to be the centerpiece of your Lunar New Year decorations, so display it where it can be prominently seen, like over a mantel, credenza, or on a blank wall.
- While traditionally hung by doorways, the couplets can be hung anywhere, so long as they stay together to amplify the blessings offered by the set. You can also hang them on either side of the square blessing, but make sure the square blessing sits above the couplets as the centerpiece.