A SEA OF RED

When I was small, the new year decorations then were very simple. Many of the auspicious calligraphy were written on red pieces of paper and pasted on to doors and walls. The ladies also cut red paper into elaborate shapes and characters and paste them on the walls as decorations. Red packet or ang pows were fashioned into lanterns, fans and other auspicious symbols or characters to decorate the homes. And the fire crackers were real. I remember fire crackers being set off the moment the clock struck twelve to usher the new year and the sound would be heard for the whole 15 days of the festival.
The decorations have become more sophisticated and modern nowadays. One can find strings of lights in the shapes of the lotus flower, the Chinese coin, the gold ingot and lantern. Even the red lanterns hung outside the entrance come in different shapes and styles. Then there are the Feng Shui items to symbolize wealth that are becoming more and more high tech and interesting. Even the red packets come in different designs. All these were to help enhance the festive mood and to usher in good luck.
A visit to one of the stores selling such festive ornaments is an experience not to be missed as there are lots to see. The dominant colour is of course RED. The colour of auspice. It is something I look forward to doing every year with my mum and aunt.Even my nephew, James, was enthralled with the items sold at the shop we patronized and enjoyed looking at the toy oxen, the dragons, flowers and other items sold there. Considering his age, my little darling was rather well-behaved. I guessed he was overwhelmed by how red the place looked.