CHINESE NEW YEAR 2022
Why Chinese New Year is Important to Me
I was lucky enough to live in Hong Kong for 5 years from 1996 to the end of 2000. It was a very historic time to be there as in 1997 Hong Kong was handed back to the Chinese – so we experienced British governed Hong Kong followed by Chinese Hong Kong – and there were changes! One of the great joys of that period for me was the exploration of Chinese culture, particularly art, furniture and china.
Of course a big event each year was Chinese New Year – at some point in late January or February, lasting 15 days, ending with the Spring Lantern Festival – always a much looked forward to time in Hong Kong’s short winter. The streets are decorated in red and gold and fortune cookies abound!
I was born in the Year of the Dragon – my Dragon personality is ambitious, energetic, charismatic, intelligent, confident and powerful! Hummmm – it would be good to have some of that – but all might be a bit too much to take! Anyway, the year 2000, whilst we were in Hong Kong was very special because it was not only the Millennium but also the Year of the Dragon – my year! The plates at the top and bottom of this article are Wedgewood special edition pieces from that year. I love the intricacy and detail of this dragon – so very Chinese and of course to have it on the traditional Wedgewood colours is wonderful – a real merge of cultures.
Traditional Chinese art is fascinating – so very different to the history of European art. There are 3 “perfections” in Chinese art – calligraphy, poetry and painting, and often, as in the painting of the fish, above, the 3 “perfections” are combined. Danqing is the traditional painting technique and it uses the same techniques as calligraphy – the brush is dipped in black ink or coloured pigments and put on paper or silk. Oils are never used in traditional painting. The painting above has calligraphy down the left hand side – I was told that it is a verse from the Bible (another merge of cultures) and the fish relating to one of the many stories in the Bible – maybe The Loaves and The Fishes? The fish are painted in coloured inks on paper. Landscape painting is considered to be the highest form of Chinese art and it is a representational medium. They will often feature a mountain or two which represent the idea of Heaven – the mountains are showing the highest aspects of nature moving up to our spiritual lives. The colours are often quite subdued – partly because the ink colours are not as vibrant as oils can be, but also because they are meant to be tranquil and spiritual scenes.
The Year of the Tiger 2022
So what does the Year of the Tiger mean for us? Well – the tiger embodies courage and bravery and with that the lucky colours for the year are strong and bold – cerulean blue, fiery red, mint green and imperial yellow.
The Travel China Guide says that “those born in the Year of the Tiger will be natural leaders who are adventurous and ambitious, but may also be arrogant and impetuous”. For the rest of us The Year of the Tiger is about making big changes, taking risks and having adventures.
Now may be the time for you to find the tiger in you in regards to the art in your home – experiment with different types of art, take some risks with some stronger colours – get in touch I’d love to lead you on an art adventure in this, The Year of the Tiger!