History

The construction of Bamboo Flower Plaques (花牌 faa pai in Cantonese) is a decorative traditional craft in Hong Kong and southern China. Because the plaques symbolize luck, happiness, and prosperity, they are typically constructed for celebrations, such as festivals, business openings, weddings, and anniversaries.

The materials used are bamboo, wire mesh, paper, fabric, and brightly colored plastic, which make the structures adaptable, lightweight, and temporary. Contemporary flower plaques may derive from Paifang (牌坊), which is a traditional style of Chinese architectural arch or gateway structure.

A complete flower plaque includes Chinese calligraphy, painting, paper artwork, and the sophisticated skills of placing the decorations on a bamboo frame.