Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
& Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
YEAR OF THE SNAKE
LUNAR YEAR 4711
Saturday, February 2, 2013 10:00am-8:00pm
Sunday, February 3, 2013 9:00am-6:00pm
Inhale the beautiful fragrances of spring as you stroll through the many booths selling gorgeous flowers, lush produce and much more. Flowers and produce always played an important role in Lunar New Year celebrations as winter blossoms into spring.
Oranges, tangerines, flowers, plants, and a variety of foods are just a few of the many new year's items for sale at the Flower Fair. Oranges and tangerines are symbols for abundant happiness. Tangerines with leaves intact assure that one's relationship with the other remains secure. Every traditional Chinese household should have live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Entertainment includes lion dancing, Chinese opera, martial arts demonstration and much more.
|
 |
SAN FRANCISCO CHINATOWN
& RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
The Chinese New Year Flower Fair is held on the weekend before Chinese New Year Day. The Flower Fair is the place to come to purchase fresh flowers, fruits, candy and other new supplies for the home to begin the new year. At the main stage on Washington Street below Grant, the Mayor will join honored guests in officially opening the Festival with a ribbon cutting ceremony. (Estimated time for ribbon cutting ceremony 10:45 a.m.)
Fruits
Oranges and tangerines are symbols for abundant happiness. The Cantonese word for tangerine, gut, sounds like good luck, while oranges, gum sound like gold.
Tangerines with leaves intact assure that one's relationship with the other remains secure. For newlyweds, this represents the branching of the couple into a family with many children. Every traditional Chinese household should have live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth.
Flowers and Plants
Flowers and plants symbolize growth and if a plant blooms on New Year's Day, this will signify a year of prosperity. The Chinese firmly believe that without flowers, there would be no formation of any fruits to bear seeds for the next generation. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations in the home to begin a new year.
Candies
Sweets are served to family and friends when they visit your home during Chinese New Year. The candies are displayed on a Harmony Tray in either groups of nine which sounds like longevity or eight, a homonym for prosperity.
Some of the more popular items you will find on the Harmony Tray are: candied melon (symbolizes growth and good health), red melon seeds (represents joy, happiness, truth,
many sons and sincerity); candied coconut (encourages togetherness) and lotus seeds (represents fertility).
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce has planned activities and entertainment for all ages.
You will find the booths and concessions located on Grant Avenue, from Broadway to Clay
Street, and on Pacific Avenue, from Stockton to Kearny Street as well as Jackson Street between Stockton and Kearny.
|
