{"id":2134,"date":"2013-03-27T10:47:20","date_gmt":"2013-03-27T10:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/avignonflorist.com\/?p=2134"},"modified":"2014-10-03T16:29:54","modified_gmt":"2014-10-03T08:29:54","slug":"the-meaning-of-colors-in-chinese-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/avignonflorist.com\/zh-hant\/the-meaning-of-colors-in-chinese-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"The Meaning of Colors in Chinese Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are thinking of sending flowers to a girlfriend, spouse, or business associate, there are a couple of things you should know. \u00a0Probably the most important thing is that color can have a much deeper meaning and is used to symbolize things much more commonly in Chinese Culture than in most Western cultures.<\/p>\n

Red<\/h4>\n

Red is perhaps the most important color and carries the most meaning. \u00a0Whereas in the West, we use red as a symbol for danger or warning, in Taiwan, red is the color of luck, prosperity, and good fortune. \u00a0On a good day, the stock market boards are ablaze with fiery red, and it is a green board that sends people home in desperation.<\/p>\n

\"Red
There is an abundance of red at any wedding in Taiwan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, as in the West, red is still the color of love. \u00a0Wedding halls are festooned with red balloons, tablecloths, and carpets. \u00a0At least one of the bride’s wedding dresses, of which there might be up to 5 or more worn in a single 2-3 hour wedding reception, is sure to be red, and guests are expected to bring gifts of cash wrapped in red envelopes. (NEVER any other color.)<\/p>\n

The proliferation of red is most obvious at Chinese New Year and when giving plants as gifts to congratulate a business on a new opening. \u00a0Westerners looking at flowers and orchids for Chinese New Year<\/a>\u00a0might feel all the red “bling bling” to be a little on the gaudy side, but around Chinese New Year the most beautiful orchid is sure to be returned without red danglies hanging all over it. \u00a0If you are sending a gift to a Taiwanese person, it is best to leave the extra decorations on and let the recipient take them off if they choose. \u00a0They are easily removed.<\/p>\n

Purple<\/h4>\n

While red is recognized in Taiwan, as it around the world, as the symbol of love, purple is believed to symbolize romance in Taiwanese culture. \u00a0If you are sending a birthday, anniversary, or Valentines’ Day gift to your wife or girlfriend, and you want something a little more original than red roses, an arrangement with some purple in it is a good choice. You don’t very often see purple flowers, but they make a surprisingly nice arrangement. Here are some examples of flower arrangements <\/a>with purple flowers<\/a>. They are some of our best sellers.<\/p>\n

White<\/h4>\n

\"White
White flowers can be used for many occasions. Just don’t send them as get well gifts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nWhite flowers can make beautiful arrangements, but it is important to consider the situation before giving a Taiwanese or Chinese person white flowers. \u00a0White is traditionally the color of death and mourning. \u00a0I mentioned above that when attending a wedding, it is imperative that a cash gift be presented in a red envelope. \u00a0When attending a funeral, a similar cash gift is traditional, but in this case, it is presented in a white envelope. \u00a0(NEVER get these two confused.)<\/p>\n

White flowers can still be given for non-funeral occasions, but some thought must be given to the situation. \u00a0White flowers should never be given as a get well gift, especially to an older person or in a situation where the illness could be critical.<\/p>\n

I don’t want to give the impression that white flowers should be avoided altogether. \u00a0They are beautiful either in pure white arrangements or mixed with other colors. \u00a0It is perfectly okay to give white flowers as a birthday or\u00a0anniversary\u00a0gift<\/a> to a young woman or to use them as a home decoration, but if you are giving a gift to an older person, it might be better to play is safe and go with something with more red or yellow in it.<\/p>\n

If you are considering sending flowers to Taiwan and have any questions regarding what is appropriate, feel free to send us an email or stop by our flower shop in Taipei<\/a> and we will be happy to help you out.<\/p>\n