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. Chinese populations. Mandarin oranges are exchanged 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 [] Alternatively, the translation of the word in the Mandarin dialect also relates to oranges being particularly prosperous for Chinese New Year Wittingly intertwining words once again, the term typically used for mandarin orange, júzi (橘子), bears a striking resemblance to the same word for gold , jīnzi ((金子). 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. Illustrations of mandarin oranges may even replace the first character on fai chun sheets (fai 1 ceon 1 揮春), which are decorations pasted on and around doorways during the Chinese New Year period. It’s also traditional for older generations to give mandarin oranges to children, and for families and friends to bring them to each other’s Chinese New Year is coming up and with it will invariably come the oranges which will be given as gifts between families, friends and even among companies. There are four types of oranges that people give out during Chinese New Year; mandarin oranges, tangerines, clementines and satsuma mandarins. Also regarded as chap goh mei, the last night (15th day) of Chinese New Year is also regarded as Chinese Valentine’s Day8. This is where courtship and the possibility of romance hangs in the air. Mandarin oranges are sweet (酸酸甜甜; suān suān tián tián) — with a tinge of sourness— just like love (的爱情; dí ài qíng)! SINGAPORE - A hallmark of Chinese New Year, the sight of mandarin oranges each year signals that the festive season has officially begun. In Cantonese, to gift mandarin oranges is to “song gam Originating from Southern China, the traditional act of giving someone mandarin oranges during Chinese New Year symbolises well-wishes and blessing one with prosperity. The descriptive phrase for this action in Cantonese also sounds like ‘giving gold’ (hin gam). Hence, to exchange mandarin oranges with family and loved ones signifies a form Throwing oranges and bathing in coriander: Asia's unique Lunar New Year traditions By Raffa Athallah Posted 10m ago 10 minutes ago Tue 28 Jan 2025 at 11:12pm , updated 7m ago 7 minutes ago Tue 28 Oranges and Other Citrus Oranges, kumquats, tangerines and pomelos are common Chinese New Year gifts because they’re believed to bring good luck and happiness. The Chinese words for “orange” and “tangerine” closely resemble the words for “luck” and “wealth.” The gold color of these fruits also symbolizes prosperity. Why do we give oranges on Chinese Read More »Do You Give Exchanging Mandarin oranges is a must during Chinese New Year.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 recipie According to the Cantonese speaking Southern Chinese, giving Mandarin oranges (‘song gam’) sounds like ‘giving gold’; thus, the giving of mandarin oranges is a gesture of wishing prosperity to the recipient. While giving Mandarin oranges, do give them in a pair (or several pairs) for good luck. What are the oranges for in Chinese New Year? Originating from Southern China, the traditional act of giving someone mandarin oranges during Chinese New Year symbolises well-wishes and blessing one with prosperity. The descriptive phrase for this action in Cantonese also sounds like ‘giving gold’ ( hin gam ). It is traditional to give out Mandarin oranges during Chinese New Year. They are usually given to family members, friends, relatives, colleagues, and busines Exchanging Mandarin oranges is a must during Chinese New Year. 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. Exchanging Mandarin oranges is a must during Chinese New Year. 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. A traditional gift during Chinese New Year is the exchanging of a pair of mandarin oranges and the giving of red packet containing an even amount of money. Unmarried adults and children receive these red packets from married family members and friends in exchange of wishing them good health and fortune . how many oranges to give for Chinese new year? Oranges are a popular fruit among adults and children. They have a thin skin, thick flesh, and a sweet taste with lots of juice. Oranges are rich in vitamin C, carotene, and pectin, which aid digestion and are particularly suitable for relieving thirst during the Spring Festival. A traditional gift during Chinese New Year is the exchanging of a pair of mandarin oranges and the giving of red packet containing an even amount of money. Unmarried adults and children receive these red packets from married family members and friends in exchange of wishing them good health and fortune .
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