The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Flowers: 7 Stunning Arrangements for a Lucky New Year

The Tet holiday is a special time in Vietnam, and one of the most beloved traditions is going to the flower market with your mother to pick out fresh blooms to decorate the house. The vibrant colors and fragrant scents of flowers like chrysanthemums, marigolds, apricot blossoms, and peach blossoms fill the air as people wander through the market, taking in the stunning displays.

This tradition is an integral part of Vietnamese culture during Tet, as families seek to find the most beautiful flowers to bring freshness and vitality to their homes, welcoming in a new year filled with good fortune and prosperity.

With this in mind, families take great care in selecting the perfect flowers, hoping that the new year will bring happiness and good luck. So, how do you choose the right flowers for Tet, and what do they symbolize? Read on to find out!

1. Flowers for Ancestral Altars and Tet Decorations

Roses

While roses are often associated with love, their true meaning goes deeper. In the context of Tet, roses symbolize happiness and good luck. Displaying roses at the beginning of the year is believed to bring positive energy and fulfillment to the family.

Chrysanthemums

According to cultural experts, chrysanthemums represent blessings, good luck, and peace. Offering white or yellow chrysanthemums to your ancestors during Tet is believed to bring good fortune and harmony for the entire year.

Gloxinias

The vibrant and eye-catching petals of gloxinias are believed to bring brightness and prosperity to homeowners. The larger the blooms, the greater the wealth they attract, even for those who are not particularly hardworking.

Additionally, gloxinias are especially auspicious for families with elderly members, as they are believed to bring health and peace.

Alstroemerias

Alstroemerias, or Peruvian lilies, symbolize warmth, family reunion, and gratitude to ancestors. During Tet, these flowers are often offered to ancestors, wishing for a year of abundance and family harmony.

Marigolds

Marigolds have a simple beauty and are commonly used for worship during Tet due to their vibrant, long-lasting colors.

Pots of marigolds with bright yellow petals, reminiscent of the sun, are also popular choices for decorating homes during Tet, bringing a touch of good luck.

Apricot Blossoms

The golden hue of apricot blossoms symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Families often place these flowers on their ancestral altars, wishing for a bright and prosperous new year.

2. Flowers to Avoid During Tet

While the above flowers are considered auspicious for Tet, there are some flowers that are best avoided during this festive season. Here are a few types of flowers that you should refrain from using for worship during Tet to prevent bad luck:

Orchid Trees and Jasmine

Both orchid trees and jasmine flowers boast beautiful white petals and a sweet fragrance. However, they are associated with indelicate stories of romance and are therefore not suitable for worship during Tet.

Lilies

Lilies are elegant and captivating, but their name in Vietnamese, “hoa ly,” sounds similar to the word for “separation.” To avoid any negative connotations, it is best to refrain from using lilies for worship during Tet.

Hibiscus Mutabilis

Hibiscus mutabilis, also known as Confederate rose, is a stunning flower, but its nature of “blooming in the morning and fading in the evening” makes it unsuitable for the new year.

Orchids

Orchid arrangements or hanging baskets can be used to decorate living rooms, balconies, and windows during Tet. However, some people believe that the word “phong” in “phong lan” (orchid) suggests promiscuity and recklessness and therefore, orchids are not suitable for offering to Buddha or ancestors.

3. 8 Beautiful and Auspicious Flower Arrangements for Tet

Apricot Blossoms and Peach Blossoms

How to Choose:

For apricot blossoms: Look for double-petaled flowers with a rich, vibrant color. Choose branches with evenly distributed buds from top to bottom. The trunk can be rough, but it should be strong and sturdy.

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For peach blossoms: Select branches with large, healthy flowers and plenty of buds. Look for branches with fresh, green leaves and a well-balanced composition.

Arrangement Ideas:

While some families prefer to display the entire tree, others opt for smaller branches arranged in a tall vase. The branches can be fanned out in different directions for a more dynamic look.

To enhance the arrangement, consider adding decorative lights, streamers, or flashing lights to the apricot or peach blossoms.

Tip for Longer-Lasting Flowers:

For those displaying the entire tree, regular watering is essential during Tet. If you’re using branches, burn the cut end of the branch to seal the damaged sap vessels and prevent the flowers from wilting and falling off.

Avoid placing the flowers near a fan, as the wind will cause the petals to fall off quickly. Also, keep the flowers away from incense smoke, as the ethylene gas produced by burning incense can cause the flowers to wither and drop their petals.

Nụ tầm Xuân (Buds of Spring)

How to Choose:

Nụ tầm xuân, or buds of spring, come in various colors like red, purple, yellow, and green. Look for straight branches with closely spaced buds and soft, small petals.

Arrangement Ideas:

Due to their height, buds of spring are best arranged in a tall vase with floral foam to keep them securely in place.

Arrange the flowers evenly on both sides, fanning out towards the top to create a stunning focal point. You can use either a tall or short vase, depending on your preference.

After arranging the flowers, decorate the vase with colorful ribbons or gift wrap to add a festive touch.

Tip for Longer-Lasting Flowers:

Since buds of spring are typically dried flowers, avoid getting them wet to ensure they last throughout the holiday.

Chrysanthemums

How to Choose:

Chrysanthemums come in various colors, so choose flowers that have recently bloomed to ensure they last longer.

Look for flowers with tightly packed petals, fully bloomed flowers, and undamaged petals. The stems should be fresh and free of insects.

Arrangement Ideas:

Chrysanthemums come in various sizes and colors, so you can arrange them in either short or tall vases, depending on your preference. Feel free to mix and match different colors or stick to a single color for a more cohesive look.

For a festive touch, add small lucky money envelopes or “Phúc – Lộc – Thọ” cards to the arrangement.

Tip for Longer-Lasting Flowers:

Change the water daily to keep the flowers fresh and vibrant.

Alstroemerias

How to Choose:

Alstroemerias come in a variety of colors and types. For Tet, choose flowers that are still in bud form and have yet to fully bloom. This way, they will be in full bloom by the time Tet arrives.

Note: For the freshest flowers, purchase them early in the morning and cut the stems to a length of 3-5 cm before arranging them.

Arrangement Ideas:

Use a large, wide vase and fill it with about 5 cm of water. Trim the leaves and cut the stems diagonally to a length of 3-5 cm.

Tip: For the best visual effect, cut the stems to approximately 1.5 – 2 times the height of the vase.

For a more vibrant arrangement, add a few betel leaves to the vase.

Tip for Longer-Lasting Flowers:

Choose flowers in the early morning or late afternoon, as they lose less water during these times and will stay fresh for longer.

Cát Tường (Celosia)