GUEST POST: Gift Traditions & Superstitions in China

Giving gifts can be a great way to show your appreciation. However, in some culture one gift might be considered as a lucky symbol while in other countries this gift might be seen as offensive. China takes a special place in this gift-giving confusion. To help you with the next gift you want to give your Chinese friends or business partners, here is today’s guest post:

China is an amazing land filled with rich culture, long-standing traditions, and fascinating history dating back as far as any culture.

When you visit this stunning place, you’re sure to make friends that last a lifetime. As you learn more about the culture, you’ll discover that China has a rich and deep history that has shaped Chinese culture and traditions to make them what they are today. Although China is by every means a modern country, they still maintain deep ties to the days of past.

With holidays like the Chinese New Year just passing and the Dragon Boat Festival quickly approaching, it’s important for those with ties to China to understand the rich traditions surrounding gift giving.

Whether it’s business, friendship or just a simple thank you, there are many things to consider. As is the case when you send gifts to many Asian countries, in Chinese gift etiquette each animal, symbol, color, and plant has more than one meaning. Whether you’re going to visit, or have just come back, gift giving is as prominent in China as the traditions and rich culture. This is why it’s important to get it right.

Use the chinese culture and gift giving infographic below as a quick reference for when you need to send flowers, fruits, wine or even corporate gifts to China; it will be your starting point for choosing the perfect and culturally-friendly gift for any occasion.

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Anna Z.

Anna Z. is a freelance illustrator and portrait artist in her late 20s, with a passion for Martial Arts and Chinese culture, and is the creator of Lost Panda, a blog to China and Art. Together with her husband, a Chinese national, she writes about daily life in rural China, focusing on cultural and social differences and the joys (and sometimes difficulties) as an intercultural couple. Apart from China related topics, she publishes her artwork, photography, art material reviews and tutorials to help more people discover their creative side. She is fluent in German, English and Mandarin Chinese.