Lucky charms for cozy spaces
There are people who are simply born with the Midas touch. For many, getting a lucky break entails an insurmountable amount of work, a dash of prayers, and maybe one or two good luck charms for good measure.
With just a few sleeps
until the Lunar New Year, we’re pretty certain many of you are scrambling for ways on how to bring in an era that will run in your favor (we know we are!). Here are some Lunar New Year accessories which you can easily add to your spaces, believed to attract harmony, well-being and, of course, wealth.
Kumquat tree
Kumquat trees are those we see during this time of the year—those that bear tiny, olive-sized orange fruits. Those planted outdoors can grow up to 10 ft. Fortunately, you can get compact, potted ones that are less than 2-ft tall from local plant nurseries or online marketplaces. The fruit is eaten whole, peel and all. It is not to be mistaken for the kiat-kiat which, though it also represents good fortune, are slightly bigger, round, and are peeled before eating.
Flowers
The Lunar New Year is also called the Spring Festival as it marks the beginning of spring. Consider sprucing up your living spaces with fresh, colorful blooms since these are said to attract a successful year ahead—not to mention that flowers undeniably cheer up any space. Popular flowers used during this period which you can find locally are orchids, which represent abundance and fertility; anthuriums for prosperity and luck; peonies for wealth and love; chrysanthemums for long life; sampaguita for hope; and santan to ward off evil spirits.
Red paper cuttings
It is tradition to put up red paper cuttings that bear the design of auspicious plants or animals. Prevailing designs are peach to symbolize longevity; pomegranate for fertility; mandarin duck for love; peony to represent honor; and wealth and pine tree for eternal youth. The red paper cuttings are then stuck on doors and transparent windows as part of welcoming the new year.
Red lanterns
Hanging red lanterns during the Lunar New Year symbolizes the coming together of the family and prosperity. The usual spots where these are hung are in front of doors to shoo away bad luck.
Lucky bamboo
The lucky bamboo is one of the most popular where good luck charms are concerned—and it is not even limited to the Lunar New Year. It grows all year round, is easy to take care of, does not take so much space and enlivens any spot of the home or office. It can grow even in water.
It is suggested that for the Lunar New Year, one should place the lucky bamboo near the front door to bring in positive energy and the southeast corner of the home to attract wealth.
