Experience Hong Kong's traditional Lunar New Year - Part II

Buying flowers for Lunar New Year at the Flower Market has become a habit for many Hong Kong people. (Photo: Hong Kong Government News Website)

How can the Lunar New Year be complete without the auspicious traditional New Year flowers? Every year before the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong holds a Lunar New Year Fair, but many citizens still prefer to follow tradition and go to Prince Edward Flower Market to buy New Year flowers. The Flower Market, located in Flower Market Road, Yuen Po Street, Prince Edward Road West, Yuen Ngai Street, and Sai Yee Street, originated in the 1940s. Today, the Flower Market has evolved from its initial street stalls to its current shop-style operation.

Peach blossoms are one of the most common flowers used during the Lunar New Year. They are believed to attract good relationships, business people often display peach blossoms during the New Year, symbolizing aspirations for great success and opportunities. (Image: HKTB)

Choose Your New Year Flowers and Kumquats| Flower Market

The custom of displaying New Year flowers originated in the Tang Dynasty of China, known as "Offering Flowers to Welcome the New Year." Flowers were offered in the hall to show respect to heaven and ancestors, as well as to invite good luck and blessings. Over time, New Year flowers have become the core of New Year decorations, symbolizing luck and prosperity, along with the auspicious meaning of "May prosperity blossom."

Mong Kok Flower Market is one of the largest flower collection and distribution centres in Hong Kong, with over 100 fresh flower retail and wholesale shops offering not only potted plants but also a wide range of gardening supplies. On the eve of the Lunar New Year each year, it transforms into a sea of various flowers and plants.

The "Five Generations Under One Roof,"( 五代同堂 ) symbolizing a household full of descendants and wealth and prosperity.

At the Mong Kok Flower Market, you can find a variety of New Year flowers, ranging from kumquats, peach blossoms, peonies, dahlias, narcissus, orchids, to wealth-representing money plants, butterfly orchids, and the "Five Generations Under One Roof" symbolizing a household full of descendants. These flowers each have their own unique characteristics, leaving visitors amazed and captivated. Kumquats are essential New Year flowers for Hong Kong citizens, symbolizing wealth and auspiciousness; peach blossoms can attract good relationships, hence businessmen also like to display peach blossoms during the New Year, symbolizing great prospects. The "Five Generations Under One Roof," symbolizing a household full of descendants and wealth and prosperity, is indeed a popular choice for New Year flowers.

The "Five Generations Under One Roof,"( 五代同堂 ) is a popular choice for New Year flowers.

The Meaning of Buying Kumquats and the Allure of Narcissus and Orchids

Kumquats, adorned with golden-yellow fruits, symbolize "good luck" and "wealth." In Chinese culture, the pronunciation of "kumquat" sounds similar to the word for "auspicious," hence they are considered as symbols of good fortune. During the Lunar New Year, every household places kumquats to pray for prosperity and wealth in the upcoming year.

The kumquat, representing great fortune and prosperity.

Narcissus is another popular New Year flower known for its fragrance and elegant appearance. The flower language of narcissus symbolizes purity and beauty, making it a perfect choice for display during the New Year. Additionally, various orchids also hold a special place in the flower market. Known as the "gentleman among flowers," orchids symbolize nobility and elegance, highly admired for their grace and fragrance. Butterfly orchids symbolize happiness and beauty, as their flower shape resembles a butterfly, giving a sense of happiness fluttering in. They are also quite popular.

Butterfly orchids another popular choice for New Year flowers in recent years. Butterfly orchid bonsai arrangements are also quite popular.

At the Mong Kok Flower Market, you can not only choose your favourite kumquats and New Year flowers but also appreciate a wide variety of flowers. The vendors here are warm and hospitable, often sharing interesting floral knowledge and New Year customs with customers. Feel free to approach any stall, inquire about the meanings and care tips for the flowers, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of each potted plant.

Flower Market

Address: Flower Market Road, Prince Edward, Kowloon

Treasure Hunt and Festive Atmosphere in Sham Shui Po | Fuk Wing Street

In addition to flowers, Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po (also known as "Toy Street") is an unmissable New Year shopping hotspot. During festive seasons, the street transforms and offers seasonal decorations. During the Lunar New Year period, Fuk Wing Street becomes a paradise for citizens to purchase New Year goods, ranging from red envelopes and spring couplets to various decorations, making it a preferred spot for treasure hunting.

Fa Yuen Street, also known as Toy Street, sells related decorations during festivals. Approaching the New Year, the entire Fuk Wing Street has turned red.

Meaning of New Year Decorations

In Chinese culture, red symbolizes auspiciousness and joy. Therefore, during the Lunar New Year, people decorate their homes with red ornaments to pray for peace and happiness in the coming year. Chunlian, couplets used to express blessings for the New Year, are typically pasted on doorways, symbolizing the welcoming of good fortune.

On-the-spot calligraphy of spring couplets is highly welcomed by citizens, allowing them to select auspicious phrases of their choice. (Photo: Hong Kong Government News Website) During the Lunar New Year, people decorate their homes with red ornaments to pray for peace and happiness in the coming year. Spring couplets are typically composed of four-character phrases like "Wishing the business success( 生意興隆 )" and "Good Health( 身體健康 )." Recently, many Cantonese spring couplets such as "Everything Prosperous( 撈乜都有 )" have gained popularity among the younger generation.

At Fuk Wing Street, you can find a variety of New Year goods, from giant festive decorations to affordable ornaments, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the New Year atmosphere. The abundance of products here is overwhelming, offering a delightful shopping experience. Feel free to browse around, pick your favorite decorations, and enhance the festive ambiance at home.

With the Year of the Snake approaching, New Year decorations inspired by snakes are selling well. Snake-themed plush toys.

Shopping at Mong Kok Flower Market and Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po is not just a shopping trip but also an opportunity to experience Hong Kong's traditional customs and culture. You can gain insights into how Hong Kong people celebrate the Lunar New Year and how they meticulously decorate their homes to welcome the new year.

"Fu(福)" character lanterns. Auspicious golden-red bonsai arrangements. As the Lunar New Year approaches, why not follow the tradition of Hong Kong locals and experience an authentic Hong Kong New Year!

Fuk Wing Street

Address: Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon