Crimson Vibes of Chinese New Year: A Post Before the Month Ends

 “Babe, we’re the only Indians here inside this store!!!”

That statement — yes, you’re reading it right — “Babe” is struck out. (The striking out is inspired by Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.) It’s something I once wished someone would address me… but it never happened. He he he… I literally laughed while writing this. But the statement itself is completely true. 

That was none other than my husband saying it while we were inside a Chinese shop — a shop drowned in red.

Red lanterns.

Red hangings.

Red “Happy Chinese New Year” posters.

Huge red horse symbols inscribed here and there.

Bright red posters of the Chinese God of Wealth, Caishen and Guan Yu—worshipped as symbols of Loyalty, Righteousness, Protection, Wealth & business success.

Red tassels… countless crimson decorations inscribed with bold golden Chinese characters.

I honestly couldn’t describe it all.

The only pink thing in the entire shop was the artificial spring blossoms.

That Sunday — a week before Chinese New Year — on our way to a friend’s house, I dragged my husband into a temporary Chinese New Year shop in Sembawang, determined to buy red lanterns and a red tassel embroidered neatly with a horse.

Being in Singapore, this was the first time I witnessed Chinese New Year decorations spread throughout the country. I missed going to Chinatown… I’m sure it would have been completely immersed in the color red.

I don’t know exactly what the relationship is between the color red and Chinese New Year. Red symbolizes strength, wealth, prosperity… so many beliefs are tied to it.

And I couldn’t help but wonder — maybe that’s why Appa has always liked me in a red saree… and perhaps that’s where my fascination with red lanterns began.

Let’s get to the heart of this blog — I really wanted to share what my eyes witnessed of the Chinese New Year decorations.

Chinese New Year is a public holiday here in Singapore on 17 February 2026. What’s even more fascinating is that the very next day, 18 February, is Ash Wednesday, and the day after that, 19 February, marks the start of Iftar. It’s like a beautiful intertwining of religious and spiritual traditions — naturally, I’m amazed!

The first thing I noticed everywhere was pictures of horses, and it made sense when I saw an IKEA poster flaunting a cushion cover with a horse on it. That’s when everything clicked — the other posters and this one too. Oh, it’s the Year of the Horse!

Then there were entire baby orange plants in pots, placed almost everywhere — in front of houses, malls, and even in Novena Church! These plants, usually kumquats or small mandarin oranges, are considered highly auspicious during Chinese New Year. The round, golden fruits symbolize wealth, good luck, and prosperity, and having them displayed is believed to bring blessings for the year ahead.

But every time I see them, I just want to pluck those baby oranges and savour them (though of course I can’t — even if my love for oranges is very real!).

To the rescue came FairPrice, a popular grocery store here. I spotted packets filled only with baby oranges in the fruit section. At first, I bought just one packet (600 grams). Oh! Those tiny oranges — seedless — the moment of peeling them and popping those little segments (barely the size of two peas!) into my mouth… I simply munched them without regret.

They were like a tiny burst of juicy sweetness — a flavor I would happily savour forever. They’re available only during the festive season, and every time I go to FairPrice, I end up taking up to four packets (until I remember I don’t have a stroller — I can’t carry more than four, along with 2 litres of milk and 1 kg of Greek yogurt, while walking back home! — and strollers are so commonly used here in Singapore, but that’s a story for another day!). Otherwise, it feels like I’ve missed something important.

Then came the “Kozhi Poo!” — yes, the cockscomb plants, with their velvety flowers planted in pots. They are scattered just like the baby orange plants, placed at the entrances of shopping malls and homes.

It felt deeply nostalgic. I used to see them everywhere in my hometown, especially during my childhood. They don’t need much maintenance; they grow almost effortlessly when the seeds scatter into the soil with just a little splash of water. And the flowers remain vibrant and intact for days. They were even used in garlands. These days, they’ve become a little rare back home.

Seeing them here, I literally felt like, “Oh! Here you are?!”

When I watched the Lion dance in the lobby zone of our residential area, the drumbeats didn’t just echo in the air — they echoed inside me. It instantly reminded me of watching Kathakali at Trivandrum International Airport and the powerful Theevati Chakkaram at Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple. The same intense drumbeats, the same ringing bells, the same rising emotion in my chest. There were no film songs, no soft melodies — just raw rhythm and sacred sound — yet I felt more moved than I do listening to any beautiful song.

In that moment, I realized something beautiful — rhythm has no language, no religion, no borders. A drumbeat in Singapore can awaken the same emotion as a drumbeat in Kerala or Tamil Nadu. Different costumes, different traditions, different stories — but the heartbeat it touches is the same.

And then came the Lohei sessions. I attended one or two while visiting Toastmasters clubs, and it was completely new to me. During the session, everyone gathers around a large plate of yusheng — a colorful mix of shredded vegetables, crunchy toppings, and sweet sauces. Each ingredient symbolizes something auspicious: for example, carrots for good luck, pomelo or lime for prosperity, and crispy crackers for abundance.

The most exciting part is tossing it all together. Everyone lifts the ingredients high with their chopsticks while shouting phrases like “Prosperity in the New Year!” or “Good health and happiness!” The higher you toss, the more luck you are believed to attract.

That was good indeed, though I’m new to it. And then there are the Chinese decorations scattered throughout Singapore—red lanterns, string lights, crimson posters and all. It’s like being 7,000 miles away from my hometown, yet finding something in a store that speaks to me. Like being the only Indians in a Chinese store — somewhere in that moment, I felt blessed and grateful to discover something so auspicious.

I just want to post this before the vibes in my soul fade… just before the end of the month!