The Color of Happiness

Dear Jesse,

What is your favorite color? I can’t seem to remember. Is it blue?

Well, would you believe that the favorite color in China is red? It symbolizes happiness. So anytime there is a celebration, you will see lots of red. Brides sometimes wear red dresses on their wedding day. People in the government and the business community sometimes wear red sashes across their chests at special celebrations such as the opening of a conference or a business.

At Chinese New Year, many people hang long red banners on each side of their front door. New Year’s wishes are written in calligraphy (Chinese script) on each of the banners. And best of all, people exchange red envelopes filled with money to celebrate the New Year. Children receive money from their parents and aunts and uncles. Employees receive money from their bosses.

Chinese New Year is not celebrated on January 1. It falls on a different day each year according to the ancient Lunar calendar. Sometimes the Lunar New Year is in January and sometimes it falls in February. I have to be sure to look at the calendar every year in order to know for sure.

You know, Jesse, red is a very special color for Christians too. It symbolizes pain and suffering and sacrifice because through the blood of Jesus, our sins were washed away. That’s good news. In fact, that’s GREAT news. So for Christians everywhere, red really is a happy color after all. We have a lot to celebrate. I sure hope that I can share this great news with a lot of Chinese friends so that they can celebrate with us.

Love from China,

Auntie D

Red is a very popular color!


This young Chinese person is adorned in traditional clothing from her culture.