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2027 Chinese New Year Couplets (Talismans) & the Kitchen God

A great school project for Chinese New Year – the Year of the Yin Fire Goat 2027

Chinese New Year Couplets and Kitchen God Talismans

Two traditional charms that have been used throughout Asia for generations are Chinese New Year talisman couplets and the Kitchen God plaque. Traditionally displayed in homes, shops and workplaces, these charms are believed to bring protection, peace and harmony to the buildings in which they are placed. Although particularly associated with Chinese New Year, they can be displayed and enjoyed throughout the year.

Today, these beautiful traditional charms are becoming increasingly popular around the world. You will often find couplets displayed beside front doors, on walls and in different rooms of the home or office, while Kitchen God talismans are traditionally placed in the kitchen, often near the cooker or extractor fan.

Both the couplets and Kitchen God talismans are usually printed or painted onto red paper using black ink. Red is an especially auspicious colour in Chinese culture, symbolising good fortune, happiness and prosperity. It also has a deeper connection to Chinese New Year traditions, which I will explore in more detail below.

An important part of the tradition is sharing these charms with family and friends. Giving couplets and Kitchen God talismans as gifts is a lovely way to pass on these customs while wishing your loved ones a healthy, happy and prosperous year ahead.

In this article, you will find free printable versions of the Kitchen God talisman and traditional couplets, which you can download and share with family, friends and loved ones for Chinese New Year 2027. Although they make particularly thoughtful gifts for the New Year, you can display them throughout the year to enjoy their traditional benefits.

These talismans are traditionally regarded as powerful protective charms, believed to discourage negative influences and encourage peace, happiness and harmony within the home or workplace. I keep mine displayed throughout the year as a reminder of these traditions and to encourage a happy and harmonious home.

Favoured by Chinese families and businesses for generations, couplets and Kitchen God talismans are now finding their way into homes and workplaces across the globe. They are a wonderful way to embrace an ancient tradition, and the couplets are particularly lovely to display during the 2027 Yin Fire Goat year to welcome good fortune and positive energy.

The Legend of the Nian monster

The legend of the Nian monster is one of the most fascinating stories associated with Chinese New Year. Passed down through generations, it explains many of the traditions we still see today, including the hanging of bright red couplets around the front door, setting off firecrackers and decorating homes with red ornaments to welcome the New Year.

According to legend, the Nian was a terrifying beast that lived deep in the mountains and would emerge once a year, around Chinese New Year, in search of food. It would descend upon the villages, devouring livestock, destroying crops and terrorising the villagers. Fearing its arrival, the villagers would gather their belongings and escape into the mountains, hoping to remain hidden until the monster had passed.

Even today, Chinese New Year’s Eve is referred to as Nian Guan, meaning ‘the passing of Nian’, a name that reflects this ancient legend.

One particular New Year’s Eve, as the villagers prepared to flee to the mountains, an elderly lady encountered a visiting beggar who had arrived in Peach Blossom Village. The old lady welcomed him, offered him food and explained the danger that awaited them all. She urged him to leave with the villagers and seek safety in the mountains.

However, the old beggar was not frightened. He promised the old lady that he could drive the Nian monster away, provided she allowed him to spend the night in her home. Unable to persuade him to leave, the old lady eventually agreed and gave him a place to stay.

As midnight approached, the Nian monster stormed into Peach Blossom Village, hungry and ready to feast on the villagers and their animals. But something was different this year. Instead of finding a deserted village, Nian was greeted by a huge fire burning brightly in the centre of the village.

When the monster approached the old lady’s home, it noticed a pair of bright red talismans hanging on the front door. Disturbed by their appearance but still determined to find food, Nian edged closer. Suddenly, a deafening series of firecrackers erupted, filling the night with loud bangs and flashes of light.

To make matters worse for the frightened beast, the old beggar appeared at the doorway wearing a brilliant red robe. The combination of the blazing fire, bright red decorations and deafening noise was simply too much for Nian. With a terrified wail, the monster turned and fled the village, never to return!

From that night onwards, the villagers continued the traditions that had successfully frightened Nian away. They painted their front doors red, hung red couplets and talismans on either side of their entrances, built large fires and set off firecrackers to fill the village with noise and light. Banners, rattles and other noisy objects were also used to create as much commotion as possible, ensuring that Nian would never dare return.

Red is an especially auspicious colour in Chinese culture, symbolising good fortune, happiness, fame and prosperity. It is also believed to be one of the things Nian fears most. This is why red plays such an important part in Chinese New Year celebrations, with homes and businesses decorated in vibrant shades of red to welcome good fortune and keep misfortune at bay.

So, the next time you see bright red couplets hanging beside a front door, firecrackers lighting up the night sky or homes decorated with beautiful red lanterns during Chinese New Year, you will know there is more to these traditions than simply welcoming a new year. They are all part of an ancient legend about a fearsome monster, a brave old beggar and the traditions that have been passed down through generations to protect homes and welcome a year filled with happiness, good fortune and prosperity.

The Kitchen God – Zao Jun (Zao Shen)

In Chinese mythology, the Kitchen God, known as Zao Jun (meaning ‘Stove Master’) or Zao Shen (meaning ‘Stove God’ or ‘Stove Spirit’), is one of the most important and widely worshipped Chinese domestic deities. He is believed to protect the family, watch over the household and encourage harmony within the home.

Traditionally, the Kitchen God is regarded as the guardian of the heart of the home – the kitchen stove or cooker. He is also associated with the discovery of fire, cooking and household morals.

According to legend, the Kitchen God leaves each home on the 23rd day of the last lunar month to travel to heaven and report to the Jade Emperor on how the family has behaved throughout the year. Families would therefore prepare special offerings of sweet, sticky foods, including honey and sugary treats, hoping to encourage him to give a favourable report. It was believed that the sweetness would make him speak kindly of the family, while the sticky food would seal his lips and prevent him from saying anything negative!

Once the Kitchen God had departed, families would continue their Chinese New Year preparations, settling outstanding debts, returning borrowed items and putting their homes in order. He was traditionally believed to return on New Year’s Day, when families would welcome him back with offerings of fruit and tea.

The Legend of How Zao Jun Became the Kitchen God

There are several stories explaining how Zao Jun became the Kitchen God, but one of the best-known tales tells of a man named Zhang Lang, who lived around the 2nd century BC.

Zhang Lang was once married to a kind and honourable woman, but he abandoned her after falling in love with someone younger. As punishment for his unfaithfulness, the gods brought misfortune upon him, and he eventually became blind. His younger lover deserted him, leaving him destitute and begging on the streets.

One day, while searching for food, Zhang Lang unknowingly arrived at the home of his former wife. Despite how badly he had treated her, she recognised him, took pity on him and invited him inside. She prepared him a wonderful meal and cared for him.

As he told her about his misfortunes, Zhang Lang became overwhelmed with regret. His former wife encouraged him to open his eyes, and miraculously, his sight was restored. When he realised who had cared for him, he was overcome with guilt and shame.

Unable to bear his remorse, Zhang Lang threw himself into the burning kitchen hearth. His former wife desperately tried to save him, but could only recover one of his legs. Heartbroken, she created a shrine above the fireplace in his memory. This is said to be how Zhang Lang became associated with the kitchen stove and eventually worshipped as the Kitchen God. According to the legend, a traditional fire poker is sometimes referred to as ‘Zhang Lang’s Leg’.

Kitchen God Talismans – Where to Place Them

The printable image at the bottom of the page depicts the Kitchen God alongside his consort. Traditionally, it is displayed above the kitchen stove or cooker, ideally in the area you use most frequently.

I recommend printing a fresh copy each Chinese New Year and replacing the previous year’s image as part of your annual preparations. This is a lovely way to honour an ancient tradition and welcome the Kitchen God into your home for the year ahead

Feng Shui Chinese New Year couplets and talismans

Feng Shui Chinese New Year couplets and talismans can be displayed on the exterior of your home, office or shop, ideally on either side of the main entrance, at approximately eye level. If you prefer, you can place them on the inside of the door, although traditionally they are considered more effective when displayed outside.

If you would rather not display your couplets at the main entrance, you can also place them on the exterior of a rear door or in a window. Alternatively, if you prefer to keep them indoors, they can be displayed in important rooms of the home or workplace, such as the kitchen, bedroom, office or living room.

Traditionally, the Kitchen God talismans are placed on either side of the cooker or hob on the Solar New Year, which is also the date we recommend putting up your annual Feng Shui cures and enhancers. In 2027, this falls on 4th February. The talismans would traditionally remain in place for the two months following Chinese New Year. However, many people, myself included, prefer to leave them displayed throughout the year to encourage continued good fortune and protection.

In fact, due to a little printer mishap this year, ours ended up being printed on a full A4 sheet of paper! Despite being considerably larger than intended, it has remained in place all year. I will, however, be aiming for a smaller version for the year ahead, as I think it’s fair to say that A4 is perhaps a little on the large side!

If possible, I would recommend laminating your Kitchen God talismans before displaying them. The steam and moisture from cooking can cause the paper to curl, twist or become damaged over time. I would also recommend replacing them each Solar New Year so that you begin the year with a fresh set.

Chinese New Year Arts and Crafts for Children and Schools

Below, you will find two fun Chinese New Year craft projects that are perfect for enjoying at home with children or using as a creative classroom activity. These free printable Chinese New Year activities are a lovely way to introduce children to traditional Chinese customs while giving them something enjoyable to make and take home.

Making your own Chinese New Year couplets and Kitchen God talismans is a particularly lovely activity for children and adults alike. From colouring and decorating the designs to cutting out the individual talismans and preparing them for display, there is plenty to get involved in. You will often find that these activities lead to lots of questions about Chinese New Year, the Nian monster, traditional Chinese decorations and why red is such an important colour during the celebrations.

If you are looking for Chinese New Year arts and crafts for children, Lunar New Year classroom activities or simple Chinese New Year craft ideas for primary school pupils, these printable projects are a great place to start. They can be used as part of a wider Chinese New Year lesson, a cultural awareness project or a school celebration exploring traditions from around the world.

Teachers can use these free Chinese New Year printables as a creative classroom resource, allowing pupils to make their own traditional decorations while learning about the customs and symbolism behind them. They are also suitable for homeschooling, after-school clubs, craft sessions and family activities during the Chinese New Year holiday.

If you are preparing a Chinese New Year display in your classroom, the finished couplets and talismans can be used to decorate classroom doors, noticeboards and windows, helping to create a colourful celebration of the Lunar New Year. Children can also take their creations home to share the traditions with their families.

If you are a teacher, please feel free to download and print these activities for use in your classroom. We are always delighted to see how children interpret and decorate the designs, so if your students enjoy making them, we would absolutely love it if you shared some photographs of their finished creations with us!

Printing Instructions for Chinese New Year Couplets and Talismans

I have included two free printable versions of the Chinese New Year couplets and talismans below: one in black and white and another in full colour.

The black-and-white version can be printed onto red paper or card, or onto white paper for you to colour in yourself. This makes a wonderful Chinese New Year arts and crafts activity for children and adults alike.

If you are a teacher, these free Chinese New Year printables are ideal for classroom activities, helping children learn about Chinese traditions while creating their own decorations. Please feel free to use them in your classroom, although we kindly ask that you do not alter the traditional text.

For the best results, I recommend printing onto A4 paper or card that is slightly thicker than standard printer paper.

Black-and-White Version

Print directly onto red paper or card, or use white paper and colour the designs with red felt-tip pens or pencils. This is a lovely activity for the whole family and a great way to introduce younger generations to Chinese New Year traditions.

If colouring the designs yourself, I recommend matching the shade of red shown below, as the correct colour is traditionally considered important.

Full-Colour Version

If you prefer, simply print the full-colour version onto white A4 paper or card, carefully cut out the couplets and talismans, and they are ready to display.

Traditionally, the head of the household would take responsibility for placing the finished couplets around the home.

Hanging Instructions for the couplets and talismans:

I recommend laminating your couplets or covering them with clear adhesive film, especially if displaying them outside, to protect them from the weather and keep them looking their best.

Traditionally, couplets and talismans are displayed for around two months following Chinese New Year. However, I prefer to leave mine up throughout the year to encourage continued good fortune and protection.

I usually print a few extra copies and replace mine two or three times a year. Remember to renew them each Chinese New Year and consider sharing them with friends and family. Giving these traditional charms freely is considered particularly auspicious.

Don’t worry if you lose your copies, as we publish updated versions on our website every year.

Red Envelopes (Ang Pow)

Red envelopes, also known as Ang Pow, Lai See or Hong Bao, are another important Chinese New Year tradition, symbolising good fortune, happiness and prosperity.

I have also written an article explaining the history and meaning behind these beautiful red envelopes, along with another free Chinese New Year craft project showing you how to make and decorate your own. We also stock a beautiful selection of designed Ang Pow’s should you wish to purchase. Follow this link for more details. https://www.fengshuiweb.co.uk/red-evelopes-chinese-new-year-2027