Introduction
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival or Lunar New Year is the most important festival in China, to welcome the New Year according to Chinese lunar calendar. The period is characterized by famil y gatherings rejoicing in food invested with symbolic meaning and exchanging worries or joys, fruits, or other types of ‘good things’. Consider Chinese New Year goodies, mostly the sweets with special meanings which are enjoyed by each person regardless his age and nationality. The following article seeks to expound more on the Chinese New Year’s customs while drawing examples from these said goodies.
Chinese New Year is called lunar new year because it is a 15 day holiday marking the cycle of the lunar calendar. Some essential aspects of Chinese New Year celebrations include:
- The Eve of Chinese New Year: The reunion dinner is taken with relatives from near and far and the elderly shower their younger counterparts with ang bao containing cash gifts.
- Lion and Dragon Dances: The lion and dragon dances indicate expulsion of bad luck and the arrival of good luck and happiness by those dressing elaborately and in costumes.
- Fireworks: Other celebrations are also to clear the compound with fire crackers and to launch of fireworks to send away evil spirits and bad dreams which are believed to have been chasing individuals throughout the year.
- House Cleaning: Homes are cleansed in preparation for the New Year to remove evils spirits and allow the good ones in the New Year to find a clean space to reside.
- Paying Respect to Ancestors: It is appropriate to visit parental home during the Chinese New Year thus people take foods and gifts to their ancestors’ graves and to the tombs of their kinsfolk.
- Setting up Altar: Home altar is often greeted with fruits, pastries and flowers so as to respect and honor gods and deities, and ancestors as well. The ritual is usually done on the day of the Chinese New Year celebration as it begins.
Chinese New Year Goodies: Symbolism and Tradition
Chinese New Year foods As mentioned before it is customary for Chinese families to have special treats known as Chinese New Year goodies which is a diverse category of foods believed to bring good luck for the following year.
- Nian Gao (Year Cake): Another major symbol is Nian Gao which is a sticky and sweet rice cake which represents progress. The level of the cake directly proportions to the success of the given year. It is believed that by consuming this particular treat a person will leveling up or get better achievements in the new year.
- Spring Roll: Even though spring rolls are not strictly associated with Chinese New Year they are most definitely a symbol of prosperity. The golden, crispy rolls are like small gold bars, the symbol of wealthy.
- Fish: Preparing fish is a sign of good luck because using the word fish in Chinese, the phrase attached to the New Year eve is the same a ‘surplus of fish’ as it is interpreted to mean ‘surplus of blessings’. Conventionally, the fish is whole and arranged in such a way that the head is facing the side of the guests in a bid to achieve success.
- Dumplings: The filling of them is associated with riches and the outer cover as the skin, depicts Chinese money from the pre-reform era. Nothing can be as auspicious as swallowing dumplings because it can make you have a lucky day.
- Longevity Noodles: Remember the long noodles, which are enjoyed when one wants to live long. One must avoid break the noodles or cutting them with scissors because doing so will bring bad luck.
- Peanut Candy: This tasty is also popular among kids, in their tradition, its meaning is associated with money and success. The hawker shouts “Má” (麻), which sounds like “ma,” one of the Chinese measures of weight, and “Hakkau” (餺飪), the God of Prosperity.
- Glutinous Rice Cake: With a side filling of something sweet and something salty, it represents the meaning of the family and unity.
- Dates: Consuming dates on this special occasion called Chinese New Year signifies a longing for good fortune in the forthcoming year. It is also offered in a bowl together with an orange to represent good fortune and prosperity.
- Orange: The Chinese word for orange is “chêng,” and in Chinese it phonetically translates to “success.” Therefore, giving orange during the Chinese New Year celebration represents auspiciousness.
- Pineapple Tarts: Pineapple tarts are many Chinese families’ favorite pastries. Pineapple as a symbol of money, referring to their golden hue and, as for the tart, the maida crust for the pineapple tart brings fortune.
Conclusion
Traditional CNY goodies are not just delightful treats; they carry profound significance, honoring Chinese culture and value systems. These sweets, especially those crafted to commemorate the Chinese New Year, are more than just a feast for the palate—they embody symbols of fortune, wealth, longevity, and prosperity for the household. They go beyond simple nourishment, serving as vessels of tradition and belief, deeply rooted in the aspirations of Chinese culture.
The spirit of Chinese New Year lies in the act of sharing these traditional CNY goodies, fostering connections and celebrating unity. Regardless of cultural differences, these treats bridge gaps and create moments of kinship and joy. They are not merely exchanged as gifts but cherished as tokens of cultural pride and collective hope for a brighter future. Traditional CNY goodies transform the festivities into an enduring celebration of family, community, and timeless traditions.