Interesting Chinese New Year Tradition #2: Fu Dao Le! That Upside-Down Chinese Character...

For years I was maddened (in the crazy, not angry, way) by the Chinese character hung upside-down on all my neighbors’ doors and on practically every shop doorway. What did it mean? I would inevitably ask and be giggled at or be told, but not understand the answer. Finally after several long years, my Chinese got good enough (more likely, someone explained it to me slowly enough) and I now understand. It's actually quite clever and I'm happy to share it with you.

So why IS that character hung upside-down and just what does it mean? Read on…

Photo: © 2007 Sara Naumann, licensed to About.com, Inc. An upside-down “fu” on a doorway in Shanghai.