< href=”http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com/others/chinese-new-year-food.php”>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.
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.
One traditional food which may surprise you is chicken – but not just any chicken. Generally whole chickens are served. This is because an entire chicken symbolizes togetherness within the family. Serving one means that the family will be together and happy for the < href=”http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com/dateselection/chinese-new-year-dates.php”>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.
Sometimes, foods are used because of the way the Chinese words for them sound. For example, the Cantonese word for lettuce sounds like the word for fortune, so lettuce is served. Tangerines and oranges are served because the Chinese words for them sound like the words for luck and wealth. So, a good itself does not necessarily have to be lucky. If it is somehow associated with luck, that is just as beneficial.
Fish is definitely one of the Chinese New Year foods that every single celebration has, one reason is the word ‘yu’ that usually symbolizes wish or abundance. It has been said that many people serve fish at their New Year celebrations because if the head and tail of the fish are still attached, the year will begin and end on a good note.
