When it comes to buying lucky decorations, clothes, food and, of course, flowers for Lunar New Year celebrations, a flower market is the one-stop-shop for everything.
A Lunar New Year flower market, also known as a Lunar New Year fair, is where people purchase everything they need for their home to begin the new year.
And like every year, Richmond’s Aberdeen Centre is once again hosting the city’s largest Lunar New Year flower market, starting Jan. 13.
In the past, flower markets were held only on Lunar New Year’s Eve, where families would visit after enjoying a large dinner.
As years passed, the traditional fair has been extended to one week prior to Lunar New Year to allow more time for people to prepare. However, this varies in different countries.
This year, Aberdeen Centre’s flower market is featuring 30 booths ranging from famous dragon beard candy to decorations in all shades of red and gold.
A variety of traditional New Year flowers such as peach blossoms, pussy willows and lucky bamboos will no doubt be available as well.
“Flowers are an important part of the market because that’s why it’s called a flower market,” said Tiffany Ho, senior vice-president of Fairchild Developments, which operates Aberdeen Centre.
“Many families believe that flowers are a symbol of growth in a family, to see the next generation bloom.”
Everyone, she added, always has flowers in their home to begin the New Year.
Aberdeen’s last flower market was held in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all festivities.
Ho told the Richmond News it is a “sign of prosperity” for businesses that the flower market and festivities have returned.
“The flower market is known to bring people good luck even just by walking through it together with your family,” said Ho.
“It is a place to purchase traditional Chinese New Year items, each symbolizing good health or good fortune.”
The flower market will be open from Jan. 13 to Jan. 22 on Aberdeen’s first and second floor.
