Most of the dishes served during Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival) are symbolic of something positive and hopeful.
Pork symbolizes strength, wealth, and blessings.
Chicken and fish symbolize happiness and prosperity—especially when served whole.
Noodles represent longevity, so leave them long and don’t cut them up to serve.
Duck symbolizes fidelity, while eggs signify fertility.
Another popular Lunar New Year dish is jiaozi, dumplings boiled in water. In some areas of China, coins are placed in the center of jiaozi. Whoever bites into one of these dumplings will have an exceptionally lucky year.
dumpling recipes to try:
Dishes are also chosen based on homonyms–words that either are spelled the same or sound the same as other words. Fish (yu) is served because it sounds similar to the Chinese word for plenty; whole fish represents abundance. Turnips are cooked because their name (cai tou) also means “good luck.”
Niangao — a steamed sweet cake made of glutinous rice — is a popular dessert for the new year, as it is a homonym for “higher year.” Try this baked version topped with sesame seeds, another good luck food:
Dishes made with oranges represent wealth and good fortune because they are China’s most plentiful fruit.
Bean curd or tofu, however, is avoided because its white color suggests death and misfortune.
You’ll know that the party has officially begun when you see people dressed in red and hear fireworks exploding in the street—both intended to scare off a legendary man-eating beast, Nian.
Host your own Lunar New Year partyTake part in the traditions, fun, and virtues of this important holiday.
