Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is being celebrated this year on the 1st February – and farewell to Year of the Ox…what a cow that turned out to be! We welcome the Year of the Tiger; characterised by its braveness and spontaneity, leadership and social justice.
This year Eden Gardens is hosting artist Jayanto Tan in a special workshop where attendees will make ceramic fortune cookies on Saturday 5th February at 10am. The workshop will be run outside, under cover, in a COVID-safe space with physical distancing measures in place. It’s an incredible opportunity to craft a cookie that lasts a lifetime, and learn techniques from an Eden Unearthed artist in person. More details can be found here https://www.facebook.com/events/251172737072679
Plants play an important part in Chinese or Lunar New Year. Anything with red or orange flowers, fruit or foliage is highly valued, being the "lucky colour". Cumquats are particularly auspicious as they can flower and fruit at the same time. We also have some stunning Jade plants (Crassula ovata). Put them potted at the right-hand side of the front door to bring wealth and prosperity…and failing that, the young leaves taste like Granny Smith apples and can be used in salads and they make hardy pot plants and are drought tolerant!Indoors, why not check out some "Chinese Evergreens" or Aglaonema. They are one of the toughest indoor plants available and are good Feng Shui. Lucky Bamboo (Dracenasanderana) or Lucky Plant, as it is also known, is grown for attracting joy, breaking hexes and encouraging good health.
Each Lunar New Year traditionally houses are cleaned, paths swept and old ideas and bad thoughts are swept aside to make room for all the positive energy a New Year can herald. And don’t forget the red envelopes with gold or red notes inside for the kids – it’s a way of transferring your good fortune from one generation to the other, literally and figuratively.
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
