Submitted by Kathleen Murphy, Residence Hall Director, New School University
Here’s a door decoration idea that for a new year and new semester with a multicultural twist. To go along with it I did bulletin boards on Chinese New Year, NYC events for the holiday, and the Chinese zodiac. All of the images for the door decorations came from this website http://www.chinapage.com/newyear.html and there is a ton of more great information there.
Chun Lian (New Year’s Couplet)
Chun lian is a special type of Duilian, or couplet. It is used only during the Chinese New Year as part of its celebration. While duilian is permanent, chun lian is a temporary decoration to be placed on the entrance of the house, somewhat akin to Halloween and Christmas decorations.
Duilian comprises of a couplet written on vertical strips of red paper in the best calligraphic style one can muster.
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The first (called upper) line is posted on the right side of the front door.
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The second (called lower) line is posted on the left side of the front door.
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In addition, a third horizontal piece may be posted across and on top the door.
Typically, the Chun lian writes a happy, hopeful, uplifting message about a better New Year to come, like this one:
