Celebrating the Year of the Tiger

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. February 1st marks the start of the Lunar New Year celebrations – also known as the ‘spring festival’. It marks the end of winter and the start of spring with the new year in the traditional Chinese calendar. It’s custom that the first day of the New Year begins on the new moon – which this year falls on the 1st of February.

Each year is represented by one of the Chinese zodiacs. 2022 marks the Year of the Tiger – the third zodiac in the 12-year cycle. Lunar New Year is the most significant holiday in the Chinese calendar and a time for family and friends to come together to celebrate the year ahead.

Lunar New Year Celebrations

Like any cultural celebration, Chinese New Year has its own customs and traditions that are followed. Businesses close for Lunar New Year to allow everyone to spend time with their friends and family.

Before Chinese New Year, families will clean their home as a way of getting ‘rid’ of the previous year, allowing them to start anew. It’s a common superstition that you shouldn’t clean your home at the start of Chinese New Year because you’ll be cleaning away the good luck.

Most homes will have an altar that is dedicated to their ancestors with food offered in celebration of them. On New Years’ Eve, families will come together to celebrate around their dining table. This extravagant meal often includes dumplings, which are traditionally made by hand following recipes that have been handed down through the generations. If you’re lucky, you might find a golden coin in a dumpling.

Children and unmarried adults receive red envelopes – known as ‘red pockets’ - with money from their elder relatives for good fortune. Like most New Year celebrations, firework displays are often organised, although this is traditionally to keep away bad spirits. Red and gold are colours you’ll find everywhere during Lunar New Year as they represent good luck and fortune for the year ahead.

The Year of the Tiger

The tiger is the third zodiac of the 12 traditionally used to keep track of time. Each of the zodiacs has its own personality traits. The tiger is known for its confidence, strength, and bravery. Those who are born during the year of the tiger are believed to have these traits and to be natural-born leaders. The Year of the Tiger will last from 1st February 2022 to 21st January 2023.

To celebrate the Year of the Tiger, here are our new 'Year of the Tiger' inspired pieces. 

Our new Red Tiger Cardigan can take good luck with you wherever you go. As a traditional Chinese symbol, the tiger represents generosity, devotion, and excitement. If you want to wear your heart on your sleeve, there’s no better way than with the Chinese tiger. You can ring in the Lunar New Year with this effortlessly chic red tiger cardigan.

Hit the New Year Party with our new red Qipao Short Dress! The ‘Qipao’ – also known as the cheongsam - is a traditional Chinese dress that is known for its high-neck and close-fitting silhouette. Traditionally a dress worn by high society women, the Qipao dates to the Late Qing dynasty. We’ve given the Qipao a modern update with a shorter length and pleated tassel detailing. Its feminine silhouette and intricate embroidery detailing make it a piece of living art that you’ll wear for years to come.
Elevate your New Year winter style with our red Shouning Dress Coat. Taking its inspiration from the classic silhouette of 1950s dress and the height of European glamour, this dress coat offers the illusion of a dress with the functionality of a transitional coat. Perfect piece to wear for Chinese New Year and for seasons to come.
You can shop our new 'Year of the Tiger' inspired collection here. Red symbolises ‘good luck’ in Chinese culture, and you can find it everywhere during Chinese New Year, and in our signature SKYLENCE pieces.
Our ‘Yanxi Embroidered Coat’ is a traditional garment that will help you ring in the new year in style. If you prefer a more understated look, our ‘Windsor Ming Coat’ gives a classic European silhouette and oriental twist. One of our favourite pieces for special occasions is the ‘Regency Phoenix Skirt’, inspired by the royal costume of the Han Dynasty.

How are you ringing in the Chinese New Year? Tell us in the comments below!

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