“Fai Chun” . Votive Papers Offering – 2024.02.01-02
The Rui Cunha Foundation opens the Gallery doors twice this year, on Thursday and Friday, February 1st and 2nd, 2024, for the traditional “Fai Chun . Votive Papers Offering”, where people may come and collect their Chinese calligraphy messages for good luck, free of charge, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The event is co-organized with The Flora Garden Poetry Friends Association.
The population is invited to choose their best wishes aphorisms for good luck and prosperity, under the guidance of 37 local master calligraphers – such as Ung Choi Kun, Hong San San, Choi Vai Keng, and Ng Pio (Yum Fung Chan), President of the Association. Poets such as Ko Tak Kong, Chong Iat Fai and Yun Wing On will also create Spring Festival couplets on site, throughout the two days, under the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon.
Fai Chun (揮春) is a traditional decoration, often used during the Chinese New Year, which also marks the arrival of the spring season. In English it can be translated as Spring Wave. People put the Fai Chun on doors to create a festive and joyful atmosphere, as the calligraphic phrases mean good luck and prosperity. Typically, Fai Chun papers are red in color, with black or gold characters inscribed with a brush, aiming to protect the houses and wish good auspices for the year to come. Nowadays, printed and mass-produced versions are more frequent. They can be square or rectangular and hung vertically or horizontally, usually in pairs. Not only do they exist in China, but also in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, which begins on February 10th, 2024 (first day of the Chinese New Year) and lasts until January 28th, 2025. The Dragon is the only one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac that is based on an imaginary animal. No wonder Dragons are so charismatic and larger than life. In Chinese culture, the Dragon can best be described as focused and driven. Their natives’ sign personality is infused with confidence, they have no problem being assertiveand taking on leadership roles. 2024 is predicted to be a year characterized by innovation, vision, and growth.
Join us and pick up a pair of Fai Chun to put on your doorstep and greet the arrival of the Lunar New Year!
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
For Macau, Further and Higher!
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