Suna in Wonderland

China is red these days. Everywhere I go, it decorated (I would rather described as ‘covered’) in red inside to outside.

When I was really young, my dad took me to ‘real’ Chinese restaurant in Korea. (There are two types of Chinese restaurant in Korea. One is Chinese restaurant in real Chinese style and Chinese restaurant that are adapted into Korean culture and taste) When I went to that ‘real’ Chinese restaurant, I was shocked by all the walls and decorations were painted in red. To me it felt like everywhere was covered in blood. I end up felt uncomfortable not able to enjoy the food. My dad noticed my discomfort, he never asked me to go to that restaurant again.

It’s not that color red is bad, just red usually had negative reputation in Korea. For example you would never write someone’s name in Red, because in old days, people would write dead people’s name in red. (Except for stamps/seals) Normally Korean people would connect color red with ‘blood’ and ‘death’. Especially old people do not like to see people writing in red. I also used to get scolded by teacher during primary school if I write in red.

Some say this superstition is from Chinese culture. I found one story that in China only king could write his name in Red and if other tries to write their name in red, they would be killed. So perhaps Korean’s dislike of color red could come from this story, however, it cannot be too sure.

If origin is from China, then why Chinese loves Red? According to some research, Chinese view color red as fresh and pure. Chinese people feel that Red represents their culture and history which equals to their nations. Plus Red is the color that stands out from the rest of the color. Chinesehour blog also mentioned that color red means auspicious, signifying reunion, health, happiness, harmony, peace and prosperity, alive and meaningful to Chinese people. How interesting same color can be represented in totally opposite way.

Fake cherry blossom tree @ APT (left) APT front door decoration (middle) Carrefour @ Shanghai (Right)

To talk about Chinese’s love of red, Chinese really do seriously celebrate lunar New Year. Whole nation is decorated with Chinese red ornaments. This decoration is almost comparable how American people usually decorate their Christmas everywhere. Plane tickets are super expensive before and after New Year (anywhere you wanna go) and everyday railway station are packed with people to buy train ticket back to their home town. (I pass by shanghai railway station every day. Even 8 days before lunar New Year, people already started traveling or standing long queue to buy train ticket).

Since China has so much population, and everyone wants to go home, no wonder why government gave one full week national holiday. While Korea would celebrate 13-15 of Feb this year, Chinese celebrate 13-19. Whole week of holiday!!! I guess it is to spread date of people’s traveling. But Chinese people need to compensate their working days with following weekend. (20th and 21st)

waiting to buy train ticket home. portable chair is to rest time to time

People @ trainstation durin Lunar New Year

After this New Year, It is going to be real 2010 for lots of Asian and spring is going to come.

Everyone!! Happy New Year~~

새해 복 많이 받으세요 (Korean)

新年快樂 (Xin nian kuai le!) (Chinese)