Happy Chinese New Year 2020 + Three Perfumes For The Year of the Metal Rat Draw

Perfumes to wear on Chinese New year 2020

Happy Chinese New Year which is January 25th, 2020 (China Highlights)

Here comes a new Lunar Year, and it seems that it’s going to be dynamic! According to Chinese astrology, 2020 is the year of the Metal Rat, meaning that people with Metal or Water as characteristic elements will have a great year. However, let’s not forget that Metal and Water are in opposition: duality strikes again, even if the only thing we ever see is the bright side of the Moon, there’s the hidden, dark side that completes it.

Oldest Lunar Calender

Oldest Lunar Calendar on Earth (NASA)

The Western World as we know it uses the Gregorian Calendar, which is based on the sun’s movements, while the Chinese use a lunar calendar (lunisolar, to be exact) – based on the movement of the moon. The Chinese New Year, although occurring in the Winter, is also called the Spring Festival, marking the end of the coldest part of a year, and celebrating a new beginning of a life cycle, the beginning of Spring. This holiday is believed to have originated during the Shang Dynasty (1600 to 1100 B.C.), a celebration during which people offered sacrifices to gods and ancestors to welcome the arrival of the Spring.

Chinese New year is a lunar holiday

 Phases of Moon (Pexels)

Lunar calendars are primordial calendars: even the calendar we use commonly today (Gregorian) evolved out of a lunar calendar system, and traces of the ancient lunation cycles are present to this day, all over the world: Chinese New Year, Ramadan, Diwali, Rosh Hashanah and Easter all revolve around phases of the Moon. The actual word calendar derives from the Latin word calendarium – meaning register and structure – things ancient Latins really took pleasure in, but even pre-Julius Caesar Romans oriented their lives to a solely lunar calendar! The fact is that in historical terms adoption of the Gregorian calendar model occurred only recently, with Russia accepting it in 1919 and China in 1949. But, the traditional Chinese Year is always calculated in accordance with the moon, this being the reason why its exact date varies from year to year: new moon sets the date and new beginnings!

Chinese New Year is a spring festival

Spring Festival (Pexels)

It’s Year of The Rat, Metal Rat by heavenly branches, so besides wearing red – the color of wealth, prosperity, happiness and wealth to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, let’s take a closer look at  befitting perfumes to celebrate in style:

Neil Morris Fragrances Spirit of Water review

Spirit of Water, Neil Morris Fragrances, Neil Morris (Vault Collection)

A memory of happy days spent at a lake, resting near still water and observing flowering meadows: Neil gives us a tender white floral, not overly aquatic at all.  Spirit of Water shines softly like dew on fresh-green tree leaves, murmurs like a clear, shallow creek on a bright, Spring day. This is an uplifting aqueous floral, very subtle in the opening. As the fragrance warms up on your skin, you start noticing tender, white jasmine flowers. Streaks of warm haziness that roll in like a spring breeze provide very gentle sweetness and skin close tenderness. Freshwater, open-air, and soft rays of sunshine touch your skin and hair, and you can feel the scent your body radiates. The flow is slow and relaxing: nothing overshadows the feeling of a bright, new day immersed in musky florals and a very light touch of almost milky sweet, vanilla tainted Tonka. Stillness, calmness, and fluidity. Drink the water, remember the source“ is an ancient Chinese saying reminding us to be grateful for all our blessings, and not to forget where our happiness comes from.

Notes: Wisteria, Water Lilly, Jasmine, Poppy, Clean Musk, Tonka Bean

Fou d’Opium, DSH Perfumes, Dawn Spencer Hurwitz (2015)

Yang to Water’s Yin, metal in the Chinese New Year of the Rat signifies persistence, strength, and determination. Since it is also considered to enhance your appreciation of luxury, good things in life, and strength, instead of reaching for a contemporary aldehyde-centered fragrance (which would be a logical choice if we’re talking „metal“), I decided to choose something exactly opposite to expected, „metal“ notes, stressing the element of luxury: YSL Opium was inspired by China after all and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Fou d’Opium is a statement of love – for Opium! Well, dear vintage Opium lovers: Fou d’Opium is not an identical recreation of THE Opium – this is an homage to the masterpiece. Fou d’Opium is sensual, leaning toward animalic, spiced-up and glowing, openly exhibiting its heart made of exuberant florals after the initial aldehydes sparkle and attraction. YSL Opium, 1977’s edition fans should rejoice because this is a fine tribute. If you’ve never been drawn to the original, vintage version, this fresher, lighter on florals and spices, urban&carefree, a bit tamer reinterpretation might be exactly your kind of – Opium. An obsession, without a scandal. Persistence and strength.

Notes: Aldehydes, Ambergris, Australian sandalwood, Bergamot, Brazilian Vetiver, Bulgarian rose absolute, Bulgarian rose otto, Carnation, Castoreum, Centifolia rose absolute, Cinnamon bark, Citrus oil, Civet, Clove bud, East Indian patchouli, Egyptian neroli, Gradiflorum jasmine, Incense, Muguet, Orris concrete, Peach, Pimento berry, Plum, Siam benzoin, Spices, Tolu balsam, Vanilla absolute, Ylang-ylang.

MyLO Laboratorio Olfattivo review

MyLo, (My Laboratorio Olfattivo), Laboratorio Olfattivo, Luca Maffei 2016

White is the color of the metal as an element, and MyLo with notes of white flowers is fresh and sparkling in the opening. White, as white Lilly and sharp jasmine follow, becomes a not overly sweet, waxy and iris-powdery white floral that in time turns ambery-musky. This kind of white is not cold or stripped of emotions, various white flowers blend and display a whole variety of shades of white: light, bitter, spicy, warm, indolic, sweet, and woody – quite a different white Lilly interpretation than usual ones. The powdery orris cloud of whiteness is lovely, and the overall composition of different „white flowers“ notes and accords is smooth and addictive, while lilac and jasmine form a quite carnal duo all the way to the drydown, which is – white, again, with musks and white amber.

Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Yellow Mandarin, Pink Peppercorn, White Lily, Jasmine, Iris, Rose, Benzoin, Vanilla, White Amber, Musk.

May you achieve success, happiness, prosperity, and smell wonderfull in  the New Chinese Year of The Rat “Gong hei fat choy”

Elena Cvjetkovic, Senior Contributor and Author of The Plum Girl

Disclaimer: samples were graciously gifted to me by brands, opinons – as always – of my own.

Chinese astronomy

Thanks to the generosity of Neil Morris and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz we have a draw for two readers as follows: your choice of a  1oz bottle of Neil Morris Fragrances Spirit of Water for one registered reader anywhere in the world or a 10 ml VDP of Fou d’ Opium for a reader anywhere in the world. You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you enjoy most about Chinese New Year, what you learned from Elena’s  overview of  Chines New  Year 2020, which of the two perfumes we are offering as a draw you would choose and where you live. Draw closes on Chinese New Year 2020, January 25, 2020

Photos: Elena Cvjetkovic, Pexels, China Highlights, NASA, DSH Perfumes, Neil Morris Fragrances, Laboratorio Olfattivo

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45 comments

  • Chinese New Year reminds me of my childhood in Hong Kong. As a kid, I loved receiving red packets during CNY, which helped fund the purchase of my He Man figures collection. I must admit that going door to door to visit relatives was not my favorite activity, but the dinner that followed those visits tend to be quite rewarding and memorable. Useful review as always, with the description of Spirit of Water as a “memory of happy days” especially resonating to me. Would love to win Neil Morris Fragrances Spirit of Water. Regards from Boston USA.

  • I didn’t know that the Chinese use a lunar calendar based on the movement of the moon. I appreciate learning about different cultural celebrations. If lucky, I’d choose Spirit of Water. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff! USA

  • Always enjoy getting together with the extended family on CNY. It’s fascinating that the tradition started as early as the Shang Dynasty and is still celebrated today. I’d love to try the Spirit of Water as it seems quite interesting. Happy CNY from New York!

  • I love celebrating Chinese New Year with my Chinese-American friends! His mom cooks a banquet and I’m usually lucky enough to get invited. Both fragrances sound lovely but I would really like to try Neil Morris’s Spirit of Water. I’m a water sign but do not like traditional aquatic fragrances. This sounds wonderful. I’m in the US

  • patrick_348 says:

    I liked how Elena related the Chinese calendar to other calendars and holidays in other cultures. I always look forward to the stamps that the USPS puts out at this time every year to celebrate the new year. They are always colorful and inventively stylized. Both fragrances sound great, but I think I would choose Spirit of Water. I live in the US, in NC.

  • My favorite Chinese New Year so far was spent in Singapore – Year of the Cow/Bull – and the energy of the Lunar New Year there was so amazing combined with the cleanliness and friendliness of that amazing country/city. I love the generosity of spirit and gift-giving to the young/subordinates at work that is part of the holiday, and the gorgeous red envelopes that those presents come in! Wasn’t aware that metal as an element is associated with the color white – love it though as white is one of my favorite wardrobe choices and I am a metal rooster!

    I’d love to enter for the Fou D’Opium, it sounds absolutely indulgent, and I’m in Canada!

  • I teach music at an elementary school where each year the first grade students build their own dragon for Chinese New Year. Then the students parade through the school with their colorful creation. They sing a song I teach them about the traditions of CNY. It’s enchanting!

    Thank you to Elena for the reminder that we are entering a metal year, and for the enticing reviews of Spirit of Water and Fou d’Opium. I would most like to try Fou d’Opium, I adore that name, a clever tribute to the classic perfume. I am in the US. Thank you for the generous draw.

  • 新年快乐! Happy New Year! Thank you Elena, for writing this really cool article!

    My favorite part of Chinese New Year are all the beautiful lanterns, colorful dragons and the festivities that happen to celebrate this Spring Festival. Not to mention the mooncakes!!!!!

    This was a really informative article, I didn’t realize that our Gregorian calendar actually arises from the ancient Roman lunar calendars. Also, I had no idea that so many holidays in the major religions revolved around the phases of the moon. Very cool!

    I would love to try the Neil Morris Fragrance as I’ve never tried anything from his house (Even though he is local!) and the idea of wisteria as a note is intriguing. We always had wisteria along the fences growing up, such a magnificent, if not robust, horticultural specimen.

    I am in the USA, Metro Boston.

  • I enjoy learning which animal represents the new year and rat is pretty funny. I wish I was a water sign this year, but I will wear a red scarf. My perfume choice is Neil Morris Spirit of Watet. I live in the USA.

  • Shamrock1313 says:

    Great interesting info once again from Elena – such a great storyteller – explaining the lunar calendar was educational – absolutely enjoyed it.
    Spirit of Water would be my choice.
    Pennsylvania USA

  • what i love about chinese new yr is the food! then the red envelopes & my family who passed down these traditions. “drink the water, remember the source” indeed. so it’ll have to b spirit of water…in the meanwhile “gong hei fat choy!”

  • Very nice info on how different cultures related to moon/sun movement in keeping tack of time. Thank you for the review in those 3 fragrances, they seem all very interesting. I would live to try both of the posdible winning perfumes, so, it doesn’t matter wich one i might win. Thank you for the draw. I am from EU

  • 2019 was a very rough year and I have to admit I was expecting the Chinese New Year to Come when in my mind things will get better. And this is what I hope for during this New Year:). I actually did not know that those with water as a characteristic, in Chinese horoscope, will have a great year. Well, I am born in the year of the Water Dog so you gave me great news!:)

    The review reminded me once again about gratefulness, which is important even during harsher times.

    I would like to win Thr Spirit of Water. I live in EU.

  • I suppose what I enjoy most about Chinese New Year is the history of it that it has been happening for so much longer than our traditional New Years Eve parties. Also its neat that it symbolizes new beginnings. I learned that it is the year of the metal rat and that people will wear red to ward of evil and bring in prosperity. Also that this started between 1100 and 1600 BC. I also learned that the element for this year metal is opposite of water and also is signified in color by white. If I should win I suppose my first choice would be Neil Morris Spirit of Water but Fou D’ Opium sounds incredibly complex and interesting I wouldn’t mind that either! I live in the USA. Thanks for the generous draw! Happy Chinese New Year!

  • I didn’t know it was the year of the metal rat and finding about wearing red to ward of evil spirits and bad luck and the colour is associated with wealth, prosperity and happiness. If I am lucky to win I would probably choose Neil Morris Spirit of water. Thanks a million from EU United Kingdom

  • Intrigued to learn about different cultures the color red is my favourite colour and cool to know that it wards of bad luck and evil spirits. I would love to win Neil Morris Spirit of Water. Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. Thanks a. lot from EU United Kingdom

  • The year of the metal rat, sounds interesting. My Chinese sign is fire snake so according to the story this will not be my year. Maybe winning this draw might lighten things up 🙂 Thanks for the great review. Love to win the Fou d’Opium, DSH Perfumes Living in the EU

  • It was interesting to read about the systems of calculations that were used for the construction of zodiac types and different religious or ethnic celebrations. I have also been following the predictions for this new year both in European astrology and Chinese one and most said that it’s a time of change, lets hope it will be for the better. I would choose Fou d’Opium should I win, because I adore the classic Opium. From the EU, thanks for the chance and happy year of the Rat to all!

  • Monica Beaton says:

    I love the idea of freshness and new beginnings – of starting over and living a better life. I try to do this every year. Sometimes I fail. But I always smell wonderful. Thank you for a lovely post and fresh reviews! I would love to try the Neil Morris Fragrances Spirit of Water – something to cleanse and refresh. I live in Australia.

  • I didn’t know that Chinese New Year also marks the Spring Festival meaning the darkest period of the year is over! Vey good news! 🙂 Also, I liked how Elena selected perfume to represent water and metal and all the related characteristics thereof. If I get lucky, I would select Fou d’ Opium. Thank you for your generosity!
    Lina, EU, Lithuania

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    I didn’t realize how recently China had adopted the Gregorian calendar! I definitely knew of Lunar New Year and its importance, but I also learned in this review about secondary associations/honorings for the year (i.e. elements beyond just what animal year it was). Thank you so much for this generous draw! If I were to win, I’d love Fou D’Opium, mostly because I’m familiar with and I very much love the scent. I’m in the US.

  • I love all of the excitement and color of the Chinese New Year celebrations. I learned that it is a metal year from Elena’s overview and what that means. It’s pretty cool. If I win, I would love to win the Fou d’Opium. USA

  • I love all of the beautiful lanterns and festivities for the Chinese New Year. I did learn from Elena’s article that “Stillness, calmness, and fluidity” are very important. I would love to win Dawn’s Fou D’Opium. Thank you for the chance. USA

  • Genevieve Martini says:

    What I very much enjoy during Chinese New Year is the Lion Dance that goes down the streets from shop to shop to bestow good luck and fortune on the shop owners. It’s exhilarating and magical! I am a Fire-Dragon, so I don’t think I’d go for a water perfume, my choice would be the carnation, cinnamon, incense, fiery sounding ~ Fou d’ Opium!
    I suppose seeing as it’s not a year for fire signs, perhaps I’ll take Elena’s advice and wear a little more red to ward off bad luck! ~ from Canada

  • My favorite thing about Chinese New Year is the fried New Year Cake (made with glutinous rice and brown sugar). Thanks for the review, i didn’t know that it was in 1949 that China adopted the Gregorian calendar. If i’m lucky, i would love to win Spirit of Water. I’m in EU. Thanks!

  • What a most informative article regarding the bases for calendars and their related festivals. I would most like to win Neil Morris’s Spirit of Water. It sounds beautiful and so serene. Thank you for a most interesting article and a generous draw. I’m in the USA

  • I enjoyed reading about Water and Metal being this year’s featured elements in the Chinese Lunar Year. I am especially drawn to Spirit of Water by Neil Morris Fragrances because it’s a water-inspired fragrance that doesn’t have any aquatic notes. I am in the USA.

  • I had no idea that we enter Metal Rat year now. I am not very familiar with this calendar to be honest. But I am touched by notes of Neil Morris fragrance. I love subtle flowers and the impression of water. I would love to win this one.
    I live in Poland.

  • ThatMulattoDude says:

    Though not Chinese, I’ve attended a few Lunar New Year’s celebrations when I studied Chinese martial arts. The pageantry was exciting and I enjoyed all aspects of it, especially the food. If I were to win, I’d like to have Spirit of Water. Thank you. -Virginia, USA

  • It’s always great when you can learn stuff from reviews and Elena always delivers. It seems wherever seasons are well defined, the beginning of spring is always held in awe. These three fragrances sound so good and of the two available for the giveaway, I’d choose Fou d’Opium from DSH Perfumes. Thank you for the reviews and the giveaway. I’m in USA

  • bigscoundrel says:

    My family celebrates Chinese New Year, and we gather to wish each other good luck, a peaceful upcoming year, and have a bountiful dinner. Because of this, I am very familiar with it but I did learn that there are many other holidays across the world that also revolve around the lunar calendar. I would pick Spirit of Water because I am drawn to “cleaner” fragrances. New Jersey, USA.

  • Thanks for this great review, Elena! My favorite part of the Chinese New Year are the colors of the lanterns, dragons and festivities. Such a happy, busy day for our Chinese friends. I appreciate the background of the Chinese calendar- I never knew it was based on the moon’s cycle. If I were to win, I’d choose DSH Fou d’Opium. I love Opium and I’d be delighted to win this tribute to Opium. Thanks for this opportunity. – CA, USA

  • Wow, turns out 2020 is sorta my year, the Year of the Rat (which is an odd thing to say, isn’t it?). As a former feng-shui aficionado, I knew about lunar calendar, but after reading Elena’s fascinating review, I now know that the Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival.
    The choice is tough, both Spirit of Water and Fou d’Opium sound great, but if I had to choose, it’d be the DSH perfume because I am crazy about Opium 🙂
    Russia

  • m.r.everything says:

    Thank you Elena, for shedding some light on the Chinese New Year… I guess the perception of what I had in my head the Chinese New Year was, was not quite it! Thank you for a brief history on it and for filling us in on how they celebrate! I also was not aware that the Chinese did not accept the Gregorian calendar until 1949. Wow, that is quite recent compared to ow long they have been going with theirs. This was a pretty informative review that I enjoyed reading up on.

    The 3 fragrances discussed sound absolutely amazing! I have experienced Neil’s fragrances before, since winning one a while back, and there will definitely be future purchases from him! Every one of the samples included were superb works of art! I have yet to try any from Dawn or Laboratorio Olfattivo, but I have my first masterpiece from Dawn coming soon so there is surely some excitement there for that one, especially since it is Biwa, for Robert Herrmann!

    As tough of a decision as this is, to choose, between one of Dawn’s gems, and Neil’s treasured creations, I would have to go with Fou d’Opium for my choice….. and that is definitely a tough choice!

    Thank you to Elena for this informative and historical write-up about the Chinese New Year and 3 fantastic fragrances to go along with it. I appreciate the tidbit of knowledge and again, enjoyed the read! Thank you to Dawn and Neil for their generosity and for the superb giveaway! This is definitely appreciated! Of course, thank you to Michelyn for putting everything together so beautifully as you always do! Commenting from Delaware, US. I hope everyone has a great rest of the day and a fantastic weekend!

  • I like that the chinesse new year starts when nature is also coming back to life, making way more sense than the apparently random date of 1 st of january. I would chose Spirit of Water. I live in the Netherlands.

  • I love history so I know much of what Elena wrote already. She writes beautifully. I was born a Rat (that sounds so funny), the first year of the Chinese zodiac. I hope it proves to be a good year for all of us. I would love DSH Fou d’ Opium. USA.

  • Michael Prince says:

    Elena, I loved learning about the Chinese new year. The Chinese Calendar is cool how is goes off the Lunar Calendar which determines soms holidays as well. I love how the Chinese calendar incorporates animals for different years and they all have a different meaning. If I win I would pick Spirit Of Water. I am from the USA.

  • My sign is monkey, which I suppose can reflect my slightly mischievous nature (well intended of course)! Chinese new year is quite the celebration where I live due to the large Chinese population! I have a lot of memories from childhood of the bright and fantastic celebrations. Gong hei fat choy!
    I’m from Canada and I’d love to try Fou d’Opium!

  • I knew it was the Year of the Rat, of course, but I had no idea it was the Metal Rat! My favorite things about Chinese/Lunar New Year are the celebratory foods and the gifts! I saw adorable gift baskets at a Chinese market that had lucky red packaging on the snacks, a little stuffed rat, red envelopes, and red home decorations! If I win, I would choose the DSH Fou d’Opium. I am in the US 🙂 Gong Hei Fat Choy everyone!

  • MissJanners says:

    I like seeing the colour red everywhere at Chinese New Year. It is very striking. I’ve seen some perfumes packaged in red to celebrate, and I love it! I didn’t know that it was meant to mark the beginning of spring. That makes me happy, because it has been very cold here lately (-40C!). I’d like to win Fou d’Opium, I like that she didn’t try to recreate the original, but it stems from a place of love for Opium. That is a lovely idea.
    I’m in Canada
    Happy Chinese New Year!

  • I enjoyed learning about Chinese New Year and it’s history! I had no idea that it used the lunar calendar and that some of our traditions such as Ramadan and Easter used it too. Also, I did not know that it dated back to as early as the Shang Dynasty. I have a fond memory of celebrating CNY in Boston with some friends. My choice would be the Fou D’Opium. Thanks for the generous giveaway and I live in the US!

  • Thank you for the article Elena. Very informative!
    Although I know that the Chinese New Year is calculated using the Lunar Calendar, I wasn’t aware that it marked the beggining of a new cycle, Spring. It’s great to know that this is the year of the metal Rat. Mine is fire rabbit.
    I have a special place in my heart for the vintage Opium, so I’d like to enter for Fou d’Opium,created by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz.
    Thank you for the ooportunity!
    Greetings from Romania, EU.

  • Went to Chinatown tonight and celebrated!
    Loved this article as it really taught me more about the lunar calendars by non Christians and that being a Rat isn’t so bad ha
    LA
    Spirit of water sounds great and I keep reading a lot about Mr Morris

  • I was just watching the New Years Gala on CCTV and it was more spectacular than big budget movies. It truly is a jaw dropping show. Living in NYC I’m familiar with some of the details of the New Year, I know it’s Metal Rat but Ms. Elenas further details regarding compatibility and colors of these signs was very informative. Thank you. The lightness of Spirit of Water and Mylo captured my attention.