Chinese New Year Tablescape

"Gong Hay Fat Choy" (Best and Prosperous Wishes) - we wanted to create a table this week that would celebrate a very long and noble tradition - Chinese New Year. Pat has been blessed to meet someone in our community who is Chinese and is willing to share some of her heritage:

The color red symbolizes vitality of life and of happiness. Gold represents wealth and prosperity. Pat used both colors on the table and added bright oranges (that also represent wealth), apples (for peace), and tangerines (for Good Fortune.)

Over view of the table

The place setting

Gift card - any amount of money is acceptable except a nickel (which is bad luck.)

Pat and I both fell in love with these antique gold chargers from Tuesday Morning but didn't pick them up the day we went shopping together. I went back the next day. (I couldn't sleep that night knowing they might be gone.) Pat went into the store later that next day, unaware that I already bought them, and couldn't find them. Upset, she talked to the cashier, who quickly assured her that it was me who bought them when the store first opened up that morning.........It's nice - sometimes - to live in a small town. Everyone knows everyone.....

Pat wanted to keep the table simple and sleek. She chose black glassware.

The centerpiece is colorful fruit arranged on square platters - peace, wealth, and good fortune

One last look

Some other interesting information:
Prepare your meal the day or evening before Chinese Year Year (February 19th.)
Put away all knives. Using knives during the first days of the New Year "cuts off" all the good luck for the coming year.
If using noodles, do not cut or break them. Long noodles mean long life.
Serving soup means "Everything better than last year."
Other foods and their meaning:
Shrimp - abundance

Whole fish - togetherness

Chicken - wealth

Long green vegetables - "Green year" and good harvest

Abalone - good fortune

Mushrooms - longevity

Sweet rice cakes - more wealth every year

Steamed buns and dumplings - good luck

Where it came from:
Gold Charger - "Charge It" by Jay from Tuesday Morning
Red Plates - from Pier 1 last year
Gold Bowl - also from Pier 1 two years ago
Black Water Goblet - "Jet Black" by Reizart from Replacements
Black Martini Glass - "Midnight Black" by Artland Crystal from Replacements
Black Napkins - Handmade by Pat
Black Chop Sticks - from a local Oriental market
Red Money Envelopes - a gift to Pat
Votive Holders - from Tuesday Morning

We will be joining Christine's "Table It!" link party at Rustic & Refined:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Susan for "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/