Year of the Dragon brings ‘ong’ to traders
KUALA LUMPUR: The Year of the Dragon, which symbolises power, nobility, honor ,and success, is bringing good luck to food traders and those selling home decorations for the Chinese New Year celebration.
Samantha Liew, 45, who runs a home decoration business, said she did not expect her dragon-themed baskets to be so well received.
“This year is the Chinese Year of the Dragon, so many buyers choose dragon-related products as decorations. I didn’t expect that my custom-made dragon baskets for Chinese New Year would sell well.
“Since it went on sale in mid-January, more than 500 of the dragon baskets have been sold,” she told Bernama when met at Central Market here recently.
Liew said her customers also shared the results of decorating the dragon basket through WhatsApp, and that makes her more enthusiastic to create more unique products in the future.
Meanwhile, trader Cili Wong, 38, said this year’s sales were very encouraging as he received many orders for various types of biscuits, spring rolls and peanut puffs since December.
Wong, who is continuing his family’s business that has been around for the past 50 years in Petaling Street, also produces limited edition pastries in conjunction with Chinese New Year, namely matcha (green tea) and peach tarts.
“This year’s celebration falls in February, so customers have more time to prepare compared to last year’s celebration which fell in January.
“Maybe that’s why the orders received are extraordinary,” he said, adding that he also received orders from overseas including Singapore, Indonesia and China.
He said the pineapple tart or Ong Lai is the best-selling biscuit for Chinese New Year.
Checks by Bernama at other premises in Petaling Street and Central Market found that the Chinese community was busy buying items to celebrate the festival, including dragon-themed lanterns, clothes and home decorations.
Graphic designer Low Si Ling, 25, said he is filling up his living space with CNY decorations to bring good luck and prosperity into his home.
“Dragon is a symbol of wealth, strength and courage. In Chinese proverbs, there are many things related to dragons that carry positive meanings. Therefore, it is considered an animal that carries more ‘ong’,” said Low. — Bernama