Love & Luck: Why the "囍" Symbol is So Special
We all want love and luck, right? These two things are so important in life—love brings us happiness, and luck helps us succeed. But did you know that in Chinese culture, there’s one Chinese symbol that represents both love and luck? It’s called “囍” (xi), or Double Happiness.
If you’ve ever been to a Chinese wedding or seen Chinese New Year decorations, you’ve probably noticed this symbol. But it’s not just for weddings. The Chinese character “囍” symbol is for anyone who wants to invite love and luck into their life. Let me tell you why this symbol is so important and why it belongs in every home.
What is the Double Happiness Symbol 囍 ?
The Chinese character “囍” is made up of two “喜” characters. 喜 (xǐ) means happiness or joy. When you double it, you get Double Happiness, which is more than just a wish for love—it’s a wish for a life full of joy, good fortune, and togetherness.
In Chinese culture, “囍” is everywhere during weddings. It’s placed on doors, wedding cakes, invitations, and decorations to bring good fortune and joy to the couple. But this symbol isn’t just for weddings. It’s for anyone celebrating love, happiness, and good luck. The Double Happiness symbol can also serve as a reminder of the healing and unity needed to mend a shattered relationship, bringing joy and good fortune back into one's life.
Why the Chinese Character 囍 Means Both Love and Luck
Why is the Chinese character “囍” the symbol for both love and luck? Well, the double character isn’t just a visual design; it carries deep meaning. It’s not only about romantic love. It’s about the love that brings people together, the happiness that comes from unity, and the good luck that follows when you share joy with others.
The “囍” symbol doesn’t just wish happiness to the couple; it wishes them good fortune in every part of their life—health, wealth, success, and harmony. It’s about creating a life full of love, surrounded by positivity and good luck. The symbol's meaning extends to familial love as well, such as the bond between two once inseparable siblings who may need to reconnect and find joy together.
The Power of the Chinese Symbol 囍 in Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, symbols like “囍” are powerful. They’re not just pretty decorations—they mean something and bring blessings. People use “囍” to celebrate weddings, birthdays, housewarming parties and even the New Year. It’s a symbol of hope, happiness and good things to come. Even when you feel completely lost, the Double Happiness symbol can be a beacon of hope to guide you to happiness and good fortune.
When you put “囍” in your home, it’s like inviting happiness and luck to stay. In a wedding, it’s a wish for the couple’s future to be filled with love, joy and good fortune. But in daily life, it’s a reminder that love and luck are always within reach. “囍” brings the good energy of love and luck into your home, making it a happier place for everyone.
The Story Behind the Symbol
The Double Happiness symbol has a long history dating back to the Tang Dynasty. According to legend a young scholar was on his way to take his exams when he fell seriously ill. An herbalist and his daughter took him in and nursed him back to health. During his convalescence the scholar and the herbalist’s daughter fell in love. Before he left to continue his journey the girl wrote half a couplet for him, a traditional form of Chinese poetry.
The scholar passed his exams and was appointed a minister by the emperor. Remembering the girl’s couplet he completed it with a response from the emperor. He went back to the herbalist’s daughter and they got married. During their wedding they doubled the Chinese character for “happy” on a red paper and hung it on the wall and thus the Double Happiness symbol was born. This symbol born out of a love story and success has since become a treasured symbol of happiness and good fortune in Chinese culture.
Why Every Family Should Embrace Double Happiness '囍'
If you ask me, every family should embrace Chinese character “囍” because it’s a simple yet powerful symbol of good things. It’s about more than just romantic love. It’s about creating a home full of happiness, peace, and positive energy. Whether you’re starting a new chapter in life, celebrating the New Year, or simply wanting to bring more joy into your home, “囍” is a symbol that fits perfectly. Embracing the Double Happiness symbol can bring so much fun and joy into your home, making every day feel like a celebration.
When you bring double happiness “囍” into your home, you’re welcoming love, luck, and joy. It’s a way to invite blessings and positivity into your life. Every time you look at it, you’re reminded that happiness and good fortune are always around you.
Bringing 囍 to Life with Paper Cutting Art
As a paper cutting artist, I love bringing the “囍” symbol to life with my art. Paper cutting is a traditional Chinese craft, and it’s perfect for expressing the deep meaning behind symbols like “囍”. I use bright red paper for my designs because red is a lucky color in Chinese culture, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. Much like a guidebook lady offering wisdom and joy, my paper cutting art brings the Double Happiness symbol to life, enriching your home with its deep meaning.
Each “囍” I create is hand-cut with care, so no two pieces are exactly alike. The intricate design and careful craftsmanship make it a beautiful, meaningful decoration for any home. When you hang a “囍” paper cutting in your home, it’s more than just a decoration—it’s a piece of culture and love that adds positive energy to your space.
A Symbol That Fits Any Home
No matter what stage of life you’re in, “囍” is a symbol that can add something special to your home. It’s not just for weddings. It’s for love, luck, happiness, and prosperity. It’s perfect for welcoming a new chapter, a new year, or just creating a space full of good energy. Just like the joy of visiting Ireland, the Double Happiness symbol brings a sense of adventure and positivity into any home.
Imagine walking into your home and seeing the “囍” symbol hanging on the wall or by the door. It’s like an invitation to happiness and good luck. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to remind yourself and everyone around you that love and luck are always part of your life.
The Significance of Double Happiness in Weddings
The Double Happiness symbol is everywhere in Chinese weddings, it means joy and unity. It’s on wedding invitations, decorations and even gifts given to the couple to wish them good luck. It’s a reminder of the happiness and love the couple share and its presence is believed to bring good fortune to their marriage.
In Jenna Evans Welch’s novel “Love & Luck” the Double Happiness symbol is a reminder of the happiness and love Addie hopes to find on her Irish adventure. As she navigates her own emotional journey the symbol is a reminder of the universal search for joy and connection, mirroring the themes of love and luck in her story.
Five-fold Happiness
The Double Happiness symbol is part of a set of characters and symbols called “Five-fold Happiness.” The other characters are: 福 (fú), luck; 禄 (lù), prosperity; 寿 (shòu), longevity; and 财 (cái), wealth. Each character has its own meaning and was originally associated with specific events. Over time they have morphed into general decorative arts and branding to mean a full and happy life.
In the context of “Love & Luck,” the Five-fold Happiness symbol is a reminder to balance and harmony in life. As Addie travels through her emotional journey and sees Ireland’s stunning green hills, countless castles and fairy tale forests, the symbol’s message of overall well-being rings true. It’s a reminder that love, luck and happiness are all connected and we should strive for a life full of all three.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Love and Luck with 囍
In the end, the symbol of “囍” is a beautiful reminder that love and luck go hand in hand. It’s a symbol that wishes you not just happiness but abundance and joy in all areas of your life. It’s about love that brings people together and luck that brings opportunities and prosperity. Much like how Jenna Evans Welch writes with emotional depth and explores themes of love and luck, the Double Happiness symbol encapsulates these universal desires.
Through my paper cutting art, I hope to bring this symbol into your life. Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to invite more good energy into your home, “囍” is a symbol that can transform any space, filling it with love and luck.
So, if you haven’t already, consider embracing “囍” in your home. It’s a beautiful way to surround yourself with positive energy, happiness, and good fortune, and to celebrate the love and luck that make life so special.