Michelle Wang

    ON Jan. 20, I went to the annual Shenzhen Spring Festival Flower Fair, which was thronged with people and immersed in a festive atmosphere.

    Flower fairs are very familiar to many and can seem similar from one year to the next. But this year the fair, riotous with flowers and various festival goods, gave me a sense of youthfulness, because it had been 10 years since I last visited such a fair.

    Lilies, a flower that’s a feast for the eyes and nostrils, were among the most popular. The flower, in white, pink and yellow, had beautiful blossoms and sweet fragrance. Symbolizing auspiciousness, it was the most desired flower at the fair.

    A big difference from my last flower fair 10 years ago, was people’s reaction to the purple orchid. The gorgeous, elegant flower was somehow ignored. Priced around 300 yuan (US$48) a pot, purple orchids that were a hot sell 10 years ago were cold-shouldered this year. Not only were there fewer customers, but also, people seldom stopped to even give the flower a look.

    Apart from flowers, quite a few festival goods were also a big draw. The several pinwheel stalls were crowded with children as well as adults. They picked, chose and played heartily. Some even bought two or three at a time.

    Business also was brisk at stalls selling Chinese couplets and characters of happiness written on red papers. It is a traditional custom for households to paste these festival decorations on doors and windows.