When ringing in the new year in traditional Chinese fashion, you have to consider the importance of Chinese New Year food as well. Food plays a huge part in such celebrations. The Chinese New Year is a particularly special one. It is one of the most important Chinese holidays. Sometimes called the Spring Festival, sometimes called the Lunar New Year, it takes place on the first day of the first lunar month, as denoted by the Chinese calendar. It ends on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
The entire celebration is special and the food served is central to it. In most of not all cases, it serves as symbolism. Mainly, people serve foods which can help to bring luck and fortune in the coming year. They are served for the entire span of the celebration.
In some cases, foods are considered precursors of good fortune because of how they appear. A whole chicken, for instance, is a symbol of family togetherness. Thus, offering a whole chicken during the Chinese New Year festivities promises that the family will remain together throughout the coming year.
Serving noodles is almost a requirement. They are very special. They are the symbol for a long life well lived. That is why it is important never to cut long noodles. Doing so could be unlucky. Clams and Spring rolls symbolize good fortune and wealth. The clams resemble gold bouillon. The rolls resemble bars of gold.
Other foods are significant during the New Year because of the way they sound. Literally, they are used because of the Chinese pronunciation of the word. Lettuce is a good example of this. In Cantonese, the word for it sounds fortuitous. Likewise, certain citrus fruits are served because the words for them sound like forebears of good fortune, such as "luck" and "wealth."
Last but not least, all kinds of fish are important during Chinese New Year. One reason fish is served is because of the above explanation. "Yu," the word for fish in Chinese, sounds like the words for wish and abundance, thus symbolizing good fortune. As well, if you serve the fish with the head and tail included, then it is lucky. The head symbolizes a good beginning for the year; the tail symbolizes a good ending.
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Published 10-04-2009
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