Workers loading pots of tangerines—a type of mandarins—from a truck in a flower farm for Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, Jan. 22, 2003. In southern China, oranges are given during Lunar New This tray symbolizes a happy and healthy beginning for the Chinese New Year and is often given as a house warming gift to the host of a new years’ get-together. Often, the treats used are symbolic themselves, including special “fortune candies,” and colorful dried fruits that symbolize prosperity and fortune , like apricots, mango, and In Lunar New Year traditions, revelers believe tangerines, oranges and pomelos bring good fortune. Their Mandarin names echo words with symbolic meanings: "jú" for oranges suggests "good luck" or For the Chinese Lunar New Year, many people are eating foods that look like money, sound like good fortune and represent wholeness. Why it matters: "The Chinese believe that you have to have a The auspicious symbolism of these traditional Chinese New Year foods is based on their pronunciations or appearance. Not only do the dishes themselves matter, but also the preparation, and ways of serving and eating mean a lot. The most common Chinese New Year foods include dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and niangao. We've rounded up 12 The Chinese love citrus fruits as much as they love word play, puns and especially homonyms—words that sound like other words. Because the Chinese word for tangerine sounds like "luck" and the word for orange sounds like "wealth," the fruits are prized both for table display and gift giving during Chinese New Year. Cakes have a special place in Chinese New Year celebrations because their sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life and the often-present layers inside symbolize rising abundance for the coming year. On top, their round shape signifies family togetherness, so eating cake during the celebration is a must. Mandarin oranges are fruits that are served during the Chinese New Year celebration. These fruits are considered to symbolize good fortune and happiness. Mandarin oranges are also believed to bring prosperity to the family that serves them. 5. Foods. Special foods are an inseparable part of the Chinese New Year celebration. For Lunar New Year, many people in Asia and around the world are eating foods that look like money, sound like good fortune and represent wholeness.. Why it matters: "The Chinese believe that you have to have a really positive attitude going into the new year," says Grace Young, a cookbook author, culinary historian and activist who works to preserve America's Chinatowns. You may think “Lunar New Year” and “Chinese New Year” refer to the same event. That’s not the case! The Lunar New Year celebration in South Korea or Vietnam looks different than a celebration of the Lunar New Year in China. The holidays take place on different dates, too. In 2025, China begins to celebrate its Lunar New Year on If you’re lucky enough to attend a Chinese New Year celebration, you may have the chance to view a lion dance. Likely dating back 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history, the dance is a spectacular, high-energy affair, with performers in bright lion costumes leaping and twirling to the sound of loud drums and cymbals, dancing to bring good fortune in the new year. 1. Lettuce Offering. Actually, it doesn’t just have to be lettuce. What you’ll often find hanging from the doorway of a business or home can be any type of green produce, including lettuce or bok choy. Amazing Lion Dance where lettuce and oranges are thrown at the crowd! Performed by the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute at Hop Lee, 16 Mott Street in Chinatow Home Earth Continents Asia Thailand / China Chinese New Year Photos Chinese Customs and Traditions Glossary Food Symbolism ___ Food Symbolism during Chinese New Year Celebrations Chinese like playing with words and symbols. Often homonyms (words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings) are gladly used. Lettuce and Ang Bao: For blessings of prosperity. 2. Chinese New Year Celebrations. Oranges and Ang Bao: To symbolise mutual goodwill and luck for the year ahead. Peanuts and Rice: For long-lasting fortune and abundance. 3. Home Blessings. Apples and Bananas: For peace, safety, and happiness in the home. Lettuce: To bring wealth and harmony to However, the Chinese New Year firecrackers and fireworks that are symbols of Chinese New Year have a different meaning than those for other holidays. It is believed that the loud noises and the flashes of light from both firecrackers and fireworks could scare away evil spirits and usher in good fortune. As millions of people around the globe ring in the Lunar New Year, one Boston hotel welcomed a local kung fu and tai chi academy to perform and bestow good luck and fortune to all into the year 4,723. During Chinese New Year, lion dancer troupes visit homes and workplaces all over Singapore to perform the traditional custom of "cai ching" which translated means "plucking the greens". On Thursday we were visited by the lion dancers at the clinic. Originating from Southern China, the tradition of giving mandarin oranges is known as “song gam” in Cantonese. Coincidentally, it also means “giving gold”, which the luck-obsessed Chinese have used as a symbol of conferring prosperity and well wishes to the recipient. Why do we eat mandarin oranges during Chinese New Year? Oranges and Other Citrus [] The Symbolism of Mandarin Orange in Chinese New Year . Similar to red envelopes, the inclusion of mandarin orange in Chinese New Year is due to its historical significance. As the shape of a small citrus fruit resembles the sun, the mandarin orange in Chinese New Year is a manifestation of the hopeful wish to gain abundance and happiness.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.