Chinese New Year 2017: Good luck gifts for the Year of the Fire Rooster

Chinese New Year is celebrated after the second new moon of the winter solstice. Also known as the Spring Festival, the New Year involves 15 days of celebration in the honour of god, ancestors as well household. This year is the Year of the Fire Rooster, which will begin on Jan. 28.

Here are some good luck gift ideas for Chinese New Year 2017 (Year of the Fire Rooster)

• Abundance hangers

Abundance hangers are a perfect gift for the New Year. They usually have a gourd along with a lotus flower. The gourd symbolises longevity and also protects from negative energy. The abundance hangers are believed to bring about abundance to those who receive them as gifts.

• Goldfish

For businesses, fish tanks inhabited by goldfish are considered lucky. Hence, most of the Chinese shops and restaurants have a fish tank at the entrance. Gifting seven gold-coloured fishes along with one black-coloured goldfish is believed to bring good luck.

• Jewelry

Special type of jewelry is also a good luck gift for Chinese New Year. Pendants that have the Chinese zodiac sign (of the receiver) symbolise long life.

• Foo dogs

Foo dogs are considered as a symbol of protection. Hence, gifting a pair of male and female food dog is believed to act as guardians of household of the receiver.

• Money plants/ Bamboo plants

Bamboo plants are kept in homes to energise the environment. The number of bamboo stalks is one of the important aspects that shall be considered while gifting this item. The number of stalks should be even. Number four shall be avoided as it sounds similar to the Chinese word for death.

• Small metal bells

Metal bells are placed outside the home. The ringing metal bells are believed to bring good news and fortune to the family. Hence, they are considered as one of the best good luck gifts for Chinese New Year.

• Laughing Buddha

A statue of a laughing Buddha is considered to be a symbol of prosperity, according to Chinese culture. Jade horses, elephants and dragons are also thought to be lucky.

• Three-legged frog

A three-legged frog is considered as a symbol of wealth as well as good fortune. It symbolises longevity. This means that there will be no end to the good luck and wealth when the three-legged frog is received as a gift.

• Feng Shui calendar

A Chinese Feng Shui calendar contains all the details about the upcoming events (lucky as well as unlucky). It tells about which dates are auspicious and which ones are not. Hence, it makes a perfect gift that can guide and warn the receiver throughout the year.

• Chinese lanterns

Chinese lanterns with the pictures of Chinese animals such as dragon and rabbit are thought to bring fortune. Since, the forthcoming year is the year of the Fire Rooster, a lantern with the picture of rooster makes a perfect gift for this New Year.

• Red envelopes

Red envelopes are the most widely used option by Chinese people when it comes to gifts. Money is kept inside these envelopes, which serve as a gift to the receiver.

Read More: Chinese New Year 2017: Significance of red envelopes, amount of money to gift in them

According to Chinese traditions, gifting things in pair is considered auspicious. Hence, this Chinese New Year, buy good luck gifts in pairs or in even numbers for good luck and fortune.