It symbolizes wealth, auspiciousness, and good fortune in Chinese culture—things we could all use a little more of in 2022.
They say money does n’t grow on trees , but this traditional Lunar New Year decoration begs to differ . Not to be confused with the populartropical houseplant species , this DIY “ money tree diagram ” symbolizes riches , auspiciousness , and good hazard in Formosan culture — things we could all use a minuscule more of in 2022 . They consist of flower subdivision or small trees adorned with crimson envelope , which are gifts of money exchanged during Chinese New Year , birthdays , weddings , and other celebratory events .
Multidisciplinary artistJenny Acosta , who also serves as a voluntary designer for AAPI nonprofitWelcome to Chinatown , shares her whole step - by - step templet for create your own lucky money tree diagram . She was first invigorate to make them because of her grandmother ’s Christmas tradition of decorating their tree with crimson envelope .
“ [ My grandmother ] would put reddish gasbag with different amounts of money in them for us to take . It was a fun game for me and my full cousin , " Acosta recalls . “ When I have old , I bought branches of atomic number 47 willows and cherry blossoms for her , which she would put on showing . During Chinese New Year , it became a tradition to decorate them together with crimson envelopes . ”
Photos by Keith Estiler | Graphic design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
In Taiwanese civilization , when you accede a friend or relation ’s home during Chinese New Year , you ’re usually encounter with a jubilant premix of salutation depending on the idiom , but gong hei fat choy — the Cantonese pronunciation of gōngxǐ fācái in Mandarin — is by far the most common . The phrase means “ wishing you felicity and successfulness , ” and red envelope are almost immediately shove in your hand as new - year greeting are repeatedly exchange in thanks .
The amount of money you receive does n’t really matter , although children would likely argue otherwise — the envelope itself dribble the true substance behind the motion . Red represents luck and prosperity , and gold represents wealth . With Acosta ’s handmade ruby-red envelopes , you may personalize them with good wishes , just like you would with a greeting card .
“ My granddad is a human being of few words , ” she say . “ But he would compose thoughtful bank bill in Chinese and English on the backs of every red gasbag for his grandkids . They were very extra to me . I still keep them to this day . ”
Your money tree can be made with any small plant life with branches , so long as you avoid ones with pure white flowers since white is traditionally associated with funerals . Some plants have special significance . silverish willows are symbols of growth and wealth , peach blossom are said to contribute love and successfulness , and cherry peak are prized for their beauty . So roll up your sleeves this weekend and read on to learn how you could make a prosperous money tree to brighten up your fortunes this year .
-Blank reddened envelopes- Tracing paper- Carbon paper- Pencils- Linoleum block- Linoleum cutter- Colorless water line ink pad- Gold embossing powder- Heat gun- Stamp cleaner- Silver willow tree , peach blossom , or cherry peak branches- Vase- Store - buy red envelopes- Twine- Scissors- Hole puncher- Crisp , new newspaper money , and shiny fresh coins
1 ) Create your one - color pattern on a sheet of draw newspaper . Cut out the design from the newspaper , take in certain to keep about a one-fourth - column inch of space around it .
Illustration by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
2 ) Flip the design over and fill in the back of the design as though you ’re doing a pencil rubbing . Place a canvass of C paper on thelinoleum closure . Place your design on top of the atomic number 6 paper .
3 ) Retrace the design with a pencil to transplant onto the lino block .
4 ) Using aLinocutter , carve away the spaces around the borders of your invention . The design should be the raised part when you ’re done . For safety , always face the Linocutter blade aside from your body and hands while carving .
Illustration by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
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5 ) dab the sponge of a colorless watermarkink padonto your carved lino surface .
6 ) Press linoleum stump onto theenvelope , making sure to line it up carefully . You should see a colourless imprint of your design on the envelope .
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7 ) comprehend the colorless inked area on the envelope withgold embossing powderand teem away any surplus .
- Using a small copse , remove any gold powder you do n’t want to show up in your final design . Hold your heating plant heavy weapon a few inch from the plan as you slowly dry out it all around . You ’ll see the powder melt and instantly harden .
9 ) Place your plant in a vase and fix up them so they see nice and full . you could include marbles or small Oliver Stone to keep the vase bottom - heavy .
Illustration by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
10 ) Punch small yap at the top of your red envelope before you put the money indoors . Thread some string through the hole and bind it into a small-scale loop . Write substance of prosperity on the back of the envelope .
11 ) string up the envelopes on the plant . It ’s advocate to use eight envelopes since the number eight is considered lucky in Formosan culture , but find free to add more to liven up your blank space .
12 ) When you find the sodding patch for your new money tree , place a few Citrus decumana and/or oranges beside it ( with leaves intact if potential ) for extra luck and prosperity .
Illustration by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Illustration by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
