Duilian
Duilian comprises of a couplet written on vertical strips of red paper in the best calligraphic style one can master. The first (called upper) line is posted on the right side of the front door. The second (called lower) line is posted on the left side of the front door. In addition, a third horizontal piece may be posted across and on top the door.
Chun lian is a special type of Duilian, or couplet. It is used only during the Chinese New Year as part of its celebration. While duilian is permanent, chunlian is a temporary decoration to be placed on the entrance of the house, somewhat akin to Halloween and Christmas decorations. Typically, the chun lian writes an happy, hopeful, uplifting message about a better New Year to come.
The most famous long couplet 孫髯翁作昆明大觀樓天下第一長聯
Upper Lian: 五百里滇池奔來眼底。披襟岸幘喜茫茫空闊無邊。看東驤神駿西翥靈儀北走蜿蜒南翔縞素。高人韻士何妨選胜登臨。趁蟹嶼螺洲梳裹就風鬟霧鬢。更蘋天葦地點綴些翠羽丹霞。莫孤負 四圍香稻萬頃晴沙九夏芙蓉三春楊柳。 |  |  | Lower Lian: 數千年往事注到心頭。把酒凌虛歎滾滾英雄誰在。想漢習樓船唐標鐵柱宋揮玉斧元跨革囊。偉烈豐功費儘移山心力。儘珠簾畫棟卷不及暮雨朝雲。便斷碣殘碑都付與蒼煙落照。只贏得幾杵疏鐘半江漁火兩行秋雁一枕清霜。 |