A traditional dance performance was one of the highlights of the MCA Chinese New Year open house at the Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur on February 19. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, February 22, 2015.Forget the titillating lure of the newly-unveiled "50 Shades of Grey" movie (unless you’re willing to travel down south). As Malaysians celebrate the Lunar New Year, the nation is enveloped with a different shade and colour – the more censure-friendly red!
Symbolic to the Chinese community especially in this season, red signifies wealth, prosperity and fame.
A red ribbon is tied around a statue at the Goddess of Mercy temple in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 22, 2015.
50 Shades of Nail Art
There's a nail art theme for every season, it seems, and Chinese New Year is no different. We spotted lovely designs of blooms, and even tiny little rams, bleating along our finger tips. 
Nail art is the most fashionable way to bring on the 'ong' this festive season. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazi, February 22, 2015.
50 Shades of Fashion
It’s customary for the ethnic Chinese to have at least one new piece of clothing to usher in the Lunar New Year, but really, who needs an excuse to go shopping! With red, and shades of it, being the preferred choice, we especially loved the kid-sized cheongsams! A big shout-out to the men who dared to go red, too.
The redder the better is the catchphrase for Chinese New Year. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 22, 2015.
Even the little ones are spoilt for choice with mini cheongsams in all shades of red. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 22, 2015.
50 Shades of Rams
Decorative items took on a ram theme this year, with shopping malls and retailers showcasing the horned animal in a myriad of forms from cute and fluffy toys, to majestic bronze animals.
Whether they be cuddly toys, or majestic and fearsome animals, the ram, sheep or goat takes centre stage this year – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari (above) and Mukhriz Hazim (below), February 22, 2015.
A bronze goat sculpture greets worshippers at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, February 22, 2015.
50 Shades of Lanterns
Chinese New Year wouldn’t be what it is without bright red lanterns. We love how the night sky in every city lights up in gorgeous hues of red, appearing to be claiming wealth and prosperity for the entire nation.
Breathtaking sights of red lanterns light up the Malaysian skyline for the 15 days of Chinese New Year. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 22, 2015.
Lanterns in red, yellow and orange are seen at a temple in Kajang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 22, 2015.
50 Shades of Quirkiness
Chinese New Year, like any other festival, is the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurial minds to cash in on the relevant symbolisms. Red and pink tiffin carriers to "ta pao" your Chinese New Year goodies are just one of the quirky Lunar New Year by-products we’ve spotted this year.
Tiffin carriers are not only a cool throwback to bygone years, but also makes a thoughtful gift to 'bungkus' all the Chinese New Year snacks. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 22, 2015.
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