Why Chinese People Wear Red During Chinese New Year

Have you ever wondered why Chinese people wear red during Chinese New Year? Every year Asians all around the world gather with their families to celebrate the Lunar New Year. There are many traditions that Chinese people uphold during this time like lighting firecrackers, writing spring couplets, eating dumplings and wearing red.

According to ancient stories, there was a monster called “Nian” (年 = year) who would come out on New Years Eve and devour villagers, crops and livestock. Villagers discovered that this beast was afraid of firelights, blasting sounds and the color red. So every year before New Years Eve the Chinese would wear red, paste red spring couplets on their doors, let off firecrackers and play the drums.

In addition, red symbolizes good luck and good fortune in China so this also helps to explain why Chinese people wear red so often.

Personally I just like red because it is a very strong color and catches my eye right away. I love the contrast it creates against the usual dark colors people wear in New York. In winter red also stands out wonderfully against the snow. (As you can see in my Geisha post)

“If there is any time of the year that we love to spend with family, it is during Chinese New Year.”

If there is any time of the year that we love to spend with family, it is during Chinese New Year. (It helps that in Asia people get almost two weeks off for this holiday) I have been away from my family for more than 5 years now and haven’t been able to spend New Years with them for 4 out of the 5 and this year was the same. Sad as it was to be away from family, I had the wonderful opportunity to partake in the parades in Chinatown of Manhattan, let off some confetti crackers (firecrackers are illegal here) and, of course, wear red.

If you missed out on the festivities this past weekend you can also participate in the coming weekend’s events. Join the parade in Flushing, Queens this Saturday (2/4) at 11am or learn and experience more of traditional Chinese culture with China Institute in the Financial District. Find out more about these events here. 

| Photography by Austin Donohue |

Red Dress by Athena Chuang

Bag by Dior

Boots by Christian Louboutin

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Happy Chinese New Year!!