Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important and most solemn holiday in Chinese culture. Celebrations usually last 15 days, and during this period, special attention is paid to traditions, family meetings and, of course, food. Food plays a key role in the New Year holidays, not only as a symbol of the holiday, but also as a means of conveying wishes of luck, wealth and health for the next year.
In Chinese cooking, there are many traditional dishes that symbolize various aspects of well-being, and they have deep cultural significance. Many of these dishes are eaten on Chinese New Year's Day with the family, and some are eaten at restaurants and social events. Let's consider what dishes are mandatory on the table on this holiday and what they symbolize.
1. Dumplings (饺子, jiǎozi)
One of the most popular dishes for Chinese New Year is dumplings. They symbolize wealth and wealth, since their shape resembles ancient Chinese money - jiao. Usually dumplings are prepared on New Year's Eve, and the whole family gathers at the same table to sculpt them together. The more dumplings are eaten, the more happiness and luck the new year will bring.
- Coins or nuts are often put in dumplings and whoever finds them in their dumplings will have their luck next year.
- Dumplings may be with a variety of toppings, but pork, beef and vegetables are the most popular.
2. Longevity Lokshina (长寿面, chángshòu miàn)
Longevity lokshina is a traditional dish that symbolizes long life. Lokshina in Chinese culture is associated with the continuation of life, and the longer the lokshina, the more happiness and health it brings. For the Chinese New Year, it is customary to serve long and continuous threads of Lokshin, which must be eaten without breaking.
- Lokshina is cooked with various additives such as vegetables, beef or chicken and can be in the form of soup or fried noodles.
- The custom is especially popular in northern China, where wheat noodles are traditionally eaten.
3. Fish (鱼, yú)
Fish is an integral part of the table for the Chinese New Year and symbolizes excess and well-being. In Chinese, the word "fish" (鱼, yú) sounds like the word "excess" or "wealth" (余), so fish is a symbol of wealth next year. Traditionally, fish are served undisclosed and undivided, which symbolizes completeness and harmony in the family.
- Fish are often cooked in a steamer or fried, adding ginger, garlic and soy to the flavour.
- After eating, it is customary to leave some of the fish so that in the next year there will be even more well-being and success.
4. Nyangao (年糕, niángāo)
Nyangao is a traditional New Year's dessert, a sticky rice tortilla that symbolizes growth and development. The word "nyangao" also sounds like "promotion" (年高), which is associated with growth in social and professional life in the new year.
- The tortillas are steamed or fried, often with sugar and fruit.
- Nyangao is a popular dish in the southern regions of China and is often served with chicken or vegetables.
5. Fortune Cookies (幸运饼干, xìngyùn bǐnggān)
Although not a traditional Chinese dish, fortune cookies have become popular in recent years, especially among Chinese living abroad. Tucked away in a prediction for next year, this cookie adds an element of fun and hope to Chinese New Year celebrations.
- Cookies usually contain paper predictions, and each person, opening cookies, receives his prediction for the next year.
6. Fruit
Fruits play an important role in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Some fruits symbolize luck and wealth. For example:
- Oranges and tangerines are considered symbols of prosperity and good luck, and their round shape reminds of coins.
- Apples symbolize peace and security.
- Grenades are associated with fertility and longevity.
7. Vegetarian dishes
For some families, an important part of the New Year's table is vegetarian dishes, which symbolize cleanliness and peace. For example, vegetable rolls with soy meat or dumplings with vegetables are often prepared. These dishes are designed to ensure harmony and well-being in the house.
Conclusion
Chinese New Year is not only a holiday time, but also a moment to express your best wishes for family and friends through the symbolism of food. Each dish on the table has its own meaning and represents not only tradition, but also hope for well-being, good luck and health in the new year. The preparation and presentation of these dishes is an important ritual that helps to maintain a connection with cultural heritage and brings joy to the house.
In Chinese cooking, there are many traditional dishes that symbolize various aspects of well-being, and they have deep cultural significance. Many of these dishes are eaten on Chinese New Year's Day with the family, and some are eaten at restaurants and social events. Let's consider what dishes are mandatory on the table on this holiday and what they symbolize.
1. Dumplings (饺子, jiǎozi)
One of the most popular dishes for Chinese New Year is dumplings. They symbolize wealth and wealth, since their shape resembles ancient Chinese money - jiao. Usually dumplings are prepared on New Year's Eve, and the whole family gathers at the same table to sculpt them together. The more dumplings are eaten, the more happiness and luck the new year will bring.
- Coins or nuts are often put in dumplings and whoever finds them in their dumplings will have their luck next year.
- Dumplings may be with a variety of toppings, but pork, beef and vegetables are the most popular.
2. Longevity Lokshina (长寿面, chángshòu miàn)
Longevity lokshina is a traditional dish that symbolizes long life. Lokshina in Chinese culture is associated with the continuation of life, and the longer the lokshina, the more happiness and health it brings. For the Chinese New Year, it is customary to serve long and continuous threads of Lokshin, which must be eaten without breaking.
- Lokshina is cooked with various additives such as vegetables, beef or chicken and can be in the form of soup or fried noodles.
- The custom is especially popular in northern China, where wheat noodles are traditionally eaten.
3. Fish (鱼, yú)
Fish is an integral part of the table for the Chinese New Year and symbolizes excess and well-being. In Chinese, the word "fish" (鱼, yú) sounds like the word "excess" or "wealth" (余), so fish is a symbol of wealth next year. Traditionally, fish are served undisclosed and undivided, which symbolizes completeness and harmony in the family.
- Fish are often cooked in a steamer or fried, adding ginger, garlic and soy to the flavour.
- After eating, it is customary to leave some of the fish so that in the next year there will be even more well-being and success.
4. Nyangao (年糕, niángāo)
Nyangao is a traditional New Year's dessert, a sticky rice tortilla that symbolizes growth and development. The word "nyangao" also sounds like "promotion" (年高), which is associated with growth in social and professional life in the new year.
- The tortillas are steamed or fried, often with sugar and fruit.
- Nyangao is a popular dish in the southern regions of China and is often served with chicken or vegetables.
5. Fortune Cookies (幸运饼干, xìngyùn bǐnggān)
Although not a traditional Chinese dish, fortune cookies have become popular in recent years, especially among Chinese living abroad. Tucked away in a prediction for next year, this cookie adds an element of fun and hope to Chinese New Year celebrations.
- Cookies usually contain paper predictions, and each person, opening cookies, receives his prediction for the next year.
6. Fruit
Fruits play an important role in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Some fruits symbolize luck and wealth. For example:
- Oranges and tangerines are considered symbols of prosperity and good luck, and their round shape reminds of coins.
- Apples symbolize peace and security.
- Grenades are associated with fertility and longevity.
7. Vegetarian dishes
For some families, an important part of the New Year's table is vegetarian dishes, which symbolize cleanliness and peace. For example, vegetable rolls with soy meat or dumplings with vegetables are often prepared. These dishes are designed to ensure harmony and well-being in the house.
Conclusion
Chinese New Year is not only a holiday time, but also a moment to express your best wishes for family and friends through the symbolism of food. Each dish on the table has its own meaning and represents not only tradition, but also hope for well-being, good luck and health in the new year. The preparation and presentation of these dishes is an important ritual that helps to maintain a connection with cultural heritage and brings joy to the house.