Chinese New Year Food: The Basics
Chinese New Year food is a big part of any new year celebration. In fact, the food is nothing less than central to the festivities. The Chinese New Year is similar to the Western one, but the differences are key. It is considered to be one of the most important holidays in the Chinese culture. Alternative names for it include the Spring Festival and the Lunar New Year. According to the Chinese calendar, the New Year takes place not on the first day of the first month of the year, as in the Western culture, but of the first lunar month. It lasts for about two weeks.
Now, back to the subject of food – it is indeed hugely important during this celebration. Foods which are considered lucky and fortuitous are served throughout the entire fifteen days. The qualifications for lucky or symbolic foods vary.
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.
In certain cases, some foods are served simply because the word for them sounds like a word for something else. If the name of a food sounds anything like the words for luck, fortune, ambition, abundance, et cetera, they will most likely be served during the celebration. For instance, many citrus fruits are included for this reason.
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.