A must-watch for foreigners celebrating Chinese New Year! 丨解码中国红：春节的“视觉语言”为何必须是它？

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Are you curious about why Chinese New Year is always connected with red?

If you’re in China for the Year of the Horse, you’ve probably seen red everywhere: lanterns, couplets, Fu characters, and red envelopes. This isn’t just a random choice. Today, we’ll break it down in simple terms — with science, history, and culture — so it’s really easy to

follow.

First, let’s talk about the science behind the color red. Red is the most eye-catching color. It easily stands out in crowds and on the streets. It looks warm and energetic, which perfectly matches the lively, happy mood of the Spring Festival. When you see red everywhere, you know Chinese New Year is here.

Red also has a very long history in China, going back thousands of years. Even in the Pre‑Qin period, people already considered red a lucky color. They wore red clothes and hung red cloths to pray for peace. By the Han Dynasty, hanging red lanterns and putting up red charms became common traditions. People believed red could keep away bad luck and protect their families.

Later, during the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, red became a huge part of Spring Festival culture. Red couplets, Fu stickers, and red envelopes spread from the royal court to ordinary families. Red was no longer just a color — it became a special symbol of Chinese New Year.

To wrap it up: Red has been at the heart of Chinese New Year for thousands of years, with its strong visual effect, long history, and deep cultural meaning. For international friends, understanding the story of red is the first step to truly experiencing the warmth and charm of Chinese New Year.

你是不是很好奇，为什么中国新年总离不开红色？

如果你今年在中国过马年，肯定会发现红色到处都是：灯笼、春联、福字、红包。这可不是随便选的。今天我们就用最简单的话，从科学、历史和文化三个角度讲清楚，一听就懂。

首先，我们从科学角度来说。红色是最醒目的颜色，在人群中、街道上一眼就能看见，它看起来温暖又充满活力，和春节热闹、喜庆的氛围特别契合。红色就像一个节日信号：只要看到到处都是红色，就知道中国新年要来了。

红色在中国还有着几千年的悠久历史。早在先秦时期，人们就把红色当作吉祥色。过年时穿红衣、挂红布，祈求平安。到了汉代，挂红灯笼、贴红色辟邪饰物，已经成为常见习俗。当时人们相信，红色能赶走厄运、守护家人。

在唐、宋、明、清各朝代，红色更是深深融入春节文化。春联、福字、红包，从宫廷渐渐走进普通人家。红色不再只是一种颜色，更成了春节的专属象征。

总结来说：几千年来，红色一直是春节的核心。它醒目好看、历史悠久、文化深厚。对于外国朋友来说，读懂红色的故事，就是感受中国新年温暖与魅力的第一步。

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Reported by Su Nan, Li Xiaokang Edited by Shi Sijia

Reviewed by Wang Tingting，He Tingting，Gao Shuting