In a Chinoy home setting, your parents or grandparents might have some Chinese home décor placed in the living room, bedroom, or dining table. But these aren’t just for show. Each of them carries a cultural significance of Chinese roots that still proves relevant today.
Here are just some of the Chinese home décor that you might want to add to your living space, if you haven’t yet!
1. Jade
Jade has long been considered to be a lucky stone around the world, most especially by people in Southeast Asia. In China, it has been a meaningful and symbolic ancient ornament, influencing Chinese belief and culture dating as far back as 3500 BC.
Over the years, jade has been used for jewelry, home accessories, furniture. Though it comes in a variety of colors, the most recognizable one in Chinese society is the emerald green jade.
Jade is also believed to bring beauty, grace, and purity. Since this is a rare and pure stone, it is prized not only for its aesthetic value but also for its inherent spiritual properties and healing powers. As the famous Chinese proverb states, “Gold has a value; jade is invaluable.”
2. Buddha statue
No matter what religion you practice, having a Buddha statue in your home may bring a sense of peace and positive energy in your home. After all, the term Buddha means “The Enlightened One.”
Having a Buddha statue in precise places in your home would help optimize its “chi” or the flow of vital energy. For example, you can place the Buddha figurine in your living room, facing the main entrance of your house. This would not only attract chi, but it would repel any negative forces that may enter the home.
3. Blue and white ceramics
Want to live like royalty? These remarkable and classy porcelain produced by ancient artisans were reserved for Chinese royalty throughout history. Today, they can be seen on ginger gars, plates, vases, and even garden tools.
The distinctive color in blue-glazed pottery and porcelain comes from cobalt ores imported from Persia. The decoration is applied by hand. It was originally brush painted, but today it’s often done by stenciling or transfer painting. But as it developed through in China across centuries, different types of cobalt ore and methods of application evolved.
One reason that blue and white porcelain has stood the test of time is that the blue cobalt pigment can withstand the highest firing temperatures that are needed for porcelain. Its color combination would most likely go with any other color in your home, making it the best accent piece to complete the design of every room.
4. Folding screen or divider
Folding screens originated in China during the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BCE), but now, they can be found in numerous households around the world. A folding screen is usually decorated with art depicting Chinese mythology and literature or scenes of palace life and nature, while featuring some Chinese writings.
Folding screens were originally made from wooden panels and painted on lacquered surfaces. They became rapidly popular during the Tang dynasty (618–907) when they were considered ideal canvasses for many painters to display their paintings and calligraphy on. Today, in many living spaces, they can be used to prevent a draft, serve as dressing screens for privacy, or simply dress up the home.
5. Mighty animal statues (e.g. dragons and horses)
There are a wide range of animals that are considered powerful and symbols of good fortune in the Chinese culture.
The Chinese often have a dragon statue since the mythical creature is a symbol of divine protection. It’s commonly regarded as a supreme being, above all other animals in China. It’s also believed to ward off evil spirits to protect one’s home. Typically, the dragon statue is carved in gold or jade.
As for horses, they are believed to carry a very high status in traditional Chinese culture, being regarded as the most important domestic creatures in the household. The horse has also been admired for its huge contribution to transportation and the military.
