Chinese New Year Food Traditions and Symbolism

by Sarah J. Gim, Posted Jan 27th 2006 @ 7:47PM

steamed dumpling As we already know, the Chinese New Year is steeped with tradition, and lucky for us at Slashfood, many of those traditions are associated with food. If you plan to celebrate this weekend (we wag in the Year of the Dog this Sunday, January 29, 2006), or want to learn a little bit more about the culture, here are what some of the traditional New Year foods symbolize, mostly health, wealth, and togetherness, based on some research I've done around the web:

Dumplings - Good
luck, fortune, and family togetherness
Lettuce - Prosperity
Noodles - When noodles are served, they are never cut because long noodles represent long-life.
Oysters - Receptivity to good fortune
Seaweed - Specifically, the black moss seaweed is the Chinese word for it also means "wealth"
Whole fish - The Chinese word for fish "yu," is the same word for "success" or "abundance." Serving the fish whole is a symbol of togetherness of the family.
Turnips - "Cai tou," the word for turnip, also means "good omen."
Meat balls - Symbolize reunion because the Chinese word "rou wan" is the same for both

Chicken - Like fish, chickens are served whole to symbolizing togetherness of the family.
Lotus seed - Is a symbol (or wish) of having many male offspring
Ginkgo nuts - Represent wealth
Dried bean curd - Like many of the foods that are served because the Chinese word for it also means something else, dried bean curd (tofu) symbolizes wealth and happiness
Bamboo shoots - The word for bamboo shoots also sounds like the phrase for "wishing that everything would be well"
Garlic chives - Symbolize "everlasting"
Prawns - Stand for liveliness and happiness
Mixed vegetables - Represent family harmony
Oranges - We've already mentioned how they stand for abundance and sweetness of the New Year.