Cultural differences in quilting
#61
It sounds wonderful, absolutely inoffensive, and something that they wouldn't find where they live which would make it very special. If you love it, go with your feelings. You will enjoy making the quilt; and, because of that, will do a good job. Your good wishes for their baby will be felt from our side of the world to theirs.
#64
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 124
Originally Posted by deanna.r
I'm sure your husband's friend and his wife would love a quilt, especially if you explained that it was a tradition in your culture. On the other hand, even many modern Chinese are still very superstitious and I believe that it would not be polite to give them something that represented bad luck or was offensive to them. White is the colour of death and would be particularly inappropriate for a baby. Do not even wrap the gift in white (or black which represents times of the unknown). Red is by far the luckiest colour. Blue-green is good for longevity and harmony.
Animals-- as others have said, tigers would be good since this is the year of the tiger, also tigers are considered protective and would sybolise guarding the child's safety. Koi fish are also very lucky, especially red, orange, or yellow. Rabbits represent hope and turtles represent longevity. NO owls since they bring death. Bears (especially pandas) are strong male symbols and butterflies are more female. Dragons are very good animals and many Chinese parents will try to time the birth of their child so that it will be born in the year of the dragon. There are quite a few cute childrens' fabrics with dinosaurs in bright colours available now.
Numbers-- eight is the luckiest number, four is good, and the number two doubles the meaning of a good symbol. Most odd numbers of things should be avoided.
I hope this gives you some good ideas to start with.
Animals-- as others have said, tigers would be good since this is the year of the tiger, also tigers are considered protective and would sybolise guarding the child's safety. Koi fish are also very lucky, especially red, orange, or yellow. Rabbits represent hope and turtles represent longevity. NO owls since they bring death. Bears (especially pandas) are strong male symbols and butterflies are more female. Dragons are very good animals and many Chinese parents will try to time the birth of their child so that it will be born in the year of the dragon. There are quite a few cute childrens' fabrics with dinosaurs in bright colours available now.
Numbers-- eight is the luckiest number, four is good, and the number two doubles the meaning of a good symbol. Most odd numbers of things should be avoided.
I hope this gives you some good ideas to start with.
#65
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: western Pa
Posts: 4,569
I finally finished the quilt for our friends. Actually, I did 4 of them before I decided on this one. I want to thank all of you again for all the help and suggestions and encouragement you gave me. This is not the pattern I wanted to use but it showcased the fabrics. After all the agonizing, I think the final work came down to "baby"--it's a baby quilt. Thank you again-hope you all like it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Trisher
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
11
04-15-2018 06:51 AM
heyuitsme
Main
4
07-25-2012 05:54 PM