Chinese New Year is a time of great excitement, marking the start of a new lunar year.
Families come together to honour their ancestors, share festive meals, and celebrate meaningful customs.
It’s a season of joy, reflection, and creativity—the perfect time to add a touch of magic to your own projects.
Why is Chinese New Year different to Western New Year?
The traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it determines dates using the location of the Sun and the Moon relative to the Earth. Chinese New Year always coincides with a new moon.
In comparison, the Western Gregorian calendar is based on a solar system, with New Year’s Day closely tied to the Winter Solstice and the movement of the Sun.
The lunisolar approach makes Chinese New Year a movable celebration, occurring on different dates each year—but always between January 21 and February 20.
12 animals of the Chinese zodiac
At the heart of Chinese New Year traditions are the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, each with its own unique story and symbolism.
According to legend, these animals participated in a legendary race to determine their order in the zodiac calendar.
The clever rat came first, and the kind-hearted pig came last.
Do you know which animal you are?
Simply check your birth year in the zodiac chart below.
Each animal reflects certain personality traits and influences for the year ahead.
(Stay tuned for a future post diving deeper into the zodiac and its creative inspirations!).
2025 is the Year of the Snake
2025 welcomes the Year of the Snake—a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and elegance on 29 January.
If you’re a Snake, this year holds extra luck and potential for you.
For everyone else, the Snake’s qualities can inspire creativity and mindfulness in your projects.
How will you channel this wisdom into your designs this year?
Chinese Motifs and Their Inspirations
Chinese New Year is also famous for its vibrant motifs, each carrying deep symbolism.
Red and Gold: Red represents good fortune and happiness, while gold symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Together, they create a dynamic palette that’s perfect for festive crafts.
Lanterns and Dragons: Iconic decorations like lanterns and dragon motifs embody hope, light, and strength. They’re often seen during celebrations, spreading positive energy and joy.
Fireworks: These not only light up the night sky but also symbolize driving away bad luck and welcoming a fresh start.
Maybe you can weave these motifs into your next creative project. Perhaps a touch of red lace or a gold jacquard ribbon?
Traditional Crafts to Spark Your Creativity
Chinese New Year is a time of great creativity, with traditional crafts playing a key role in the celebrations. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
Paper Cutting (“Jianzhi”): Featuring intricate designs and auspicious phrases, this art form adds elegance and meaning to decorations. Popular patterns include flowers, zodiac animals, and wishes for prosperity.
Calligraphy: Bold, sweeping strokes bring to life blessings like “Good Fortune” and “Happiness” on red banners. These can be displayed around the home or used as part of gift wrapping.
Lantern Making: Bright red lanterns are a staple of New Year décor. Try adding metallic ribbons or trims from our collection to give them a unique flair.
These crafts are perfect for personal projects or for involving the whole family.
Why not gather some materials and create your own festive decorations?
Celebrate and Create
Chinese New Year isn’t just a celebration; it’s a chance to embrace creativity, community, and inspiration.
Whether you’re crafting a zodiac-themed gift, designing red and gold decorations, or simply learning about the traditions, this festive season offers endless opportunities to explore and create.
So, let’s kick off the new year with a burst of creativity and fun. Embrace the Chinese New Year vibe and sprinkle some magic on your designs!
Are you creating for Chinese New Year? I'd love to see Your creations!
What is inspiring you?
Share your festive designs or zodiac-themed creations with us!
Tag us on Instagram and show us how you’re celebrating with creativity and flair.
Stay colourful, Alison
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