The origin of couplets can be traced back to the ancient custom of peach wood charms.

Couplets are antithetical phrases written or engraved on paper, cloth, bamboo or wood. They are generally divided into an upper couplet and a lower couplet, and require equal numbers of characters, matching parts of speech, and coordinated tonal patterns; some are also accompanied by a horizontal scroll. They are a unique traditional literary form in our country, and the Spring Festival couplets pasted on both sides of door frames during festivals are the most widely circulated type among them.

The origin of couplets can be traced back to the ancient custom of peach wood charms. It is said that ancient people believed peach wood could ward off evil spirits and disasters. Whenever bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, they would write the names of the legendary ghost-subduing deities on rectangular peach wood boards and hang them on both sides of the main gate to pray for peace. Later, the practice of painting deity images and writing names on peach wood boards gradually evolved into writing auspicious antithetical sentences, which is regarded as the prototype of couplets.

It is said that during the Five Dynasties period, Meng Chang, the ruler of Later Shu, once wrote New Year auspicious words on a peach wood charm, and this is often regarded by later generations as one of the earlier Spring Festival couplets. Entering the Song Dynasty, the custom of writing on peach wood charms became increasingly popular, and the development of the papermaking industry also made writing and posting more convenient. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, couplets further flourished, and their scope of use expanded from the Spring Festival to many occasions such as marriage, birthday celebrations, housewarming, and scenic spots and historic sites, becoming a cultural form appreciated by both refined and popular tastes.

Today, couplets are still active in daily life. In addition to Spring Festival couplets, there are also many other types, such as celebration couplets, birthday couplets, and trade couplets. They are not only a carrier for bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new and praying for good fortune, but also reflect the unique symmetry and phonological beauty of Chinese. Every Spring Festival, people choose or personally write Spring Festival couplets and paste them on the lintel, adding a festive atmosphere to the holiday and allowing this ancient tradition to continue.