Lunar New Year Decorations Made Easy: How to create Chinese Calligraphy Couplets

Lunar New Year is around the corner, red begins to appear everywhere, on doors, windows, and walls, carrying wishes of luck, joy, and renewal. Among the most meaningful of these decorations are Chinese calligraphy couplets, simple red scrolls that transform a space with both beauty and intention. You don’t need years of calligraphy experience to create them. With a few basic tools and an understanding of their symbolism, making your own couplets can become a joyful New Year ritual and a personal way to welcome the year ahead.

What Are Chinese Calligraphy Couplets?

Chinese calligraphy couplets are usually written in pairs of vertical scrolls placed on either side of a doorway, sometimes accompanied by a horizontal scroll above the door, known as a hengpi (横批). Each couplet typically contains two poetic lines that convey auspicious wishes, reflect cultural values, or express hopes for wealth, health, and happiness.

The red paper symbolizes good luck and wards off evil spirits, while black or gold ink is traditionally used for the characters. Displaying couplets is not only decorative but also an expression of blessing, protection, and optimism for the New Year. The art of writing these couplets combines both cultural meaning and aesthetic beauty, making it a centerpiece of Lunar New Year celebrations.

Why Create Your Own Couplets?

In modern times, pre-printed couplets are widely available in stores, but crafting your own offers a unique and personal touch. Creating your own couplets allows you to:

• Express personal wishes and creativity
• Engage children and family members in cultural traditions
• Make your Lunar New Year decorations authentic and customised

Plus, the process of writing couplets can be meditative, fun, and deeply rewarding, making it an enjoyable activity leading up to the New Year.

Materials You’ll Need

Before starting, gather the necessary materials. You don’t need professional tools to get started , beginner-friendly items work just fine. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Red Paper: Traditionally, long strips of red paper are used. You can buy pre-cut couplet paper or cut red craft paper into the desired size. The red colour is essential for its symbolism of luck and warding off bad spirits.
2. Brush or Pen: Traditional calligraphy is done with a Chinese brush and ink, but for beginners, black or gold markers, brush pens, or calligraphy pens work well.
3. Ink: If you use a traditional brush, you’ll need black ink or Chinese ink sticks. For markers, this step is optional.
4. Optional Ruler or Pencil: To lightly mark the centre line for balanced writing.
5. Workspace Protection: Newspaper or a table mat to protect surfaces from ink spills.

Choosing Your Words: Common Phrases and Themes

The beauty of couplets lies in the words and wishes they convey. When creating your own, consider the themes you want to express. Common categories include:

• Good Fortune: “福” (fú – fortune/blessing) is one of the most iconic characters.
• Wealth and Prosperity: Words like “财” (cái – wealth) or “富贵” (fùguì – prosperity)
• Health and Longevity: Phrases like “健康平安” (jiànkāng píng’ān – health and peace)
• Happiness and Harmony: Expressions such as “阖家欢乐” (héjiā huānlè – family happiness)

If you’re unsure, you can also use pre-written couplets as inspiration, but it’s fun to personalize the message. For example, you might write wishes for a successful career, a joyful family reunion, or new adventures in the coming year.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Couplets

Step 1: Prepare Your Paper

Lay your red paper flat on your workspace. If it curls, place a light weight on the corners. For beginners, drawing a faint vertical line in the center can help you align the characters.

Step 2: Plan Your Characters

Decide on the characters or phrases you’ll write. Each side of the couplet should complement the other. Traditional couplets often have the same number of characters per line for visual balance. For instance, a 5-character or 7-character structure is common.

Step 3: Practice on Scrap Paper

Before writing on the final couplets, try writing each character on scrap paper. This helps you get a feel for the strokes and spacing. If using a brush, practice controlling the ink flow and pressure.

Step 4: Write the Couplets

Start writing your couplets on the red paper, one line per strip. Take your time — the beauty is in the brush strokes and the flow of the characters. Remember that perfection is not the goal; the charm is in the personal touch.

Step 5: Add the Horizontal Scroll (Optional)

If you want, add a short horizontal phrase above the door. This can summarize the wishes of the vertical couplets, such as “迎春接福” (yíng chūn jiē fú – welcome spring, receive blessings).

Step 6: Let It Dry

Allow the ink to dry completely before handling or hanging the couplets. This prevents smudging and preserves the crisp lines.

Where to Hang Your Couplets

Traditionally, the vertical couplets are placed on either side of the main door, with the right scroll on your right as you face the door. The horizontal scroll goes above the door frame.

Some families also decorate windows, interior walls, or even gates with smaller couplets or the single character “福” (fortune) for extra luck. A common practice is to hang the “Fu” character upside down, which symbolises the arrival of blessings.

Tips for Beginners

1. Don’t worry about perfection: Calligraphy is an art, and personal touches make it special.
2. Use simple characters first: Start with common characters like 福 (fortune), 春 (spring), or 喜 (happiness).
3. Engage the family: Invite children to help paint or decorate, even if their characters are not perfect, it’s about participation and fun.
4. Experiment with gold or glitter ink: For an extra festive touch, use metallic pens or markers.

Creative Variations

Even if you’re not confident in traditional calligraphy, you can still create eye-catching decorations:

• Printed or Stenciled Characters: Use stencils or printable templates to create neat designs.
• Decorative Borders: Add gold trim, stickers, or painted edges to enhance your couplets.
• Mini Couplets: Create smaller versions for windows or shelves as accents.
• Incorporate Symbols: Add drawings of lanterns, dragons, or plum blossoms for a creative twist.

These variations allow for personal expression while keeping the festive spirit alive.

Why Couplets Matter

Beyond their decorative appeal, couplets are a meaningful tradition that connects generations. They reflect hopes, values, and cultural heritage, allowing families to share blessings and welcome the new year together. The act of writing and displaying couplets is a celebration of both artistry and intention, combining the beauty of calligraphy with heartfelt wishes.

Take a Chinese New Year Calligraphy Couplets Workshop With Dear asia London

Want to create beautiful calligraphy couplets with confidence and meaning? Join a Chinese New Year Calligraphy Couplets Workshop, where you’ll learn the basics of Chinese calligraphy, discover the meanings behind traditional Lunar New Year phrases, and create your own festive couplets to take home. Dear Asia London’s Chinese New Year event experience is designed especially for people looking for a cultural activity that brings people together. You will learn the significance of Lunar New Year traditions, explore the meanings behind auspicious phrases, and create their own calligraphy couplets to decorate the workplace or take home. Suitable for all skill levels, this workshop is a relaxed, hands-on way to encourage team bonding, cultural appreciation, and a festive start to the year.