Chinese New Year paintings

Chinese New Year paintings

　Chinese New Year paintings, or nianhua in Chinese, are a kind of Chinese folk painting. Right before the arrival of the Spring Festival, Chinese people put colourful paintings on their doors, walls or windows to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the coming year.

　Chinese New Year paintings are of different subjects. Chinese people believe that having more children will bring more happiness, so babies are a popular theme in New Year paintings. One of the most popular pictures is the cherubic¹ baby. He usually holds a lotus flower² in one hand and a big fish under one arm. The lotus and fish also have a  meaning. In Chinese, the word “lotus” sounds like “consecutive” and “fish” sounds like“surplus”. People hope this painting can bring them good luck in the following year.

　There are some famous New Year painting production places throughout China, such as Yangliuqing in Tianjin and Zhuxian Town in Kaifeng, Henan province. They all make a difference to Chinese New Year paintings.  

Notes:

1. cherubic adj. 白胖可爱的

2. 意为：莲花