The Lunar New Year, celebrated in several Asian countries, often referred to as Chinese New Year, but also known as the Spring Festival. During the 16-day celebration, a variety of lucky foods are eaten to bring good luck for the incoming year especially at the ‘reunion dinner’ eaten by Chinese and Vietnamese families the night before. The symbolism of these traditional Chinese New Year foods is based on their pronunciations or appearance. The preparation and the way it is served means a lot during the celebration. Here are a few examples of traditional Lunar New Year food for 2021, and what they represent.

Steamed Fish

In Chinese, ‘fish’ (Yu) sounds like “surplus” or “extra”. Half of the fish is eaten for dinner and the second half the next day. This is to represent the surplus and make the future prosperous as well. A whole fish also represents a harmonious and whole family. It is common to eat the middle first leaving the head and tail left intact, reminding you to finish everything you start and wish for positive results. During dinner, the head should be placed facing the guests.

Steamed Chicken

A whole chicken is another symbol of family; rich in protein, one chicken is enough to feed an entire family. The chicken represents reunion and rebirth. After cooking, people often offer chicken to ancestors to bring blessing and protection to the family. This plays a significant part in the Spring Festival and Chinese culture.

Rice Cake or New Year Cake

In Chinese, rice cakes are pronounced as Nian Gao, Gao means tall or high. It’s a wish to be successful and ‘higher’ each year and hopes that the upcoming year is better than the last. This is often made of sticky glutinous rice or yellow rice.

Vegetable Dishes

Spring is the season to plant new seeds. Traditionally, the Spring Festival is the best time to finish all the stored and preserved vegetables from the winter. They are a few vegetables worth considering in the dishes, each one with their symbolism.

• Lotus Seed – a blessing for many children and a healthy family

• Bamboo Shoots – longevity as well as going onward and up

• Seaweed – symbolises wealth and fortune

Noodles

Noodles are often eaten as they represent longevity. You are not allowed to cut them. The longer the noodle, the longer your life will be. Noodles offer great flexibility for sides and ingredients.

• Eggs – big and healthy family

• Roasted Pig – Peace

• Duck – Loyalty

• Tofu – Happiness and fortune for the entire family

Spring Rolls

Although Spring Rolls can be eaten throughout the year, Spring Rolls are traditionally eaten on the first day of Spring. Spring Rolls symbolises wealth as they resemble gold bars.

Dumplings

A white dumpling represents a silver ingot and a yellow (egg) dumpling represents a gold ingot used as money in ancient times.

Fruit and Sweets

Tangerines and Oranges are eaten during the Lunar New Year period as they are round and ‘golden’ in colour, symbolising fullness and wealth.

Anything sweet like dried fruit and candy is a common snack during the Lunar New Year and it symbolises a sweet life.

恭喜發財 (Gong Hei Fat Choy)

May the New Year bring joy, luck, health, and prosperity to you and your family.