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Kumquat Tree: For luck and wealth View this post on Instagram A post shared by @homeofarches. A Chinese New Year essential, the kumquat tree (Fortunella japonica) symbolizes good fortune and wealth. Popular in South China regions, including Macau, Hong Kong, Guangxi and Guangdong, the kumquat tree is believed to invite prosperity. Each culture celebrating the Lunar New Year has traditions passed down from generation to generation that are thought to bring good luck. For the Lunar New Year 2025, I asked NPR readers and listeners to share the new and old traditions they practice to ensure a lucky year ahead. Here are some of their responses, edited for length and clarity. If you're planning to celebrate or simply curious about Chinese New Year traditions, here are 10 must-know superstitions that are believed to bring good luck during the holiday. 1. Clean the House Before the New Year. One of the most important customs before Chinese New Year is to thoroughly clean your home. Lucky food is served during the 16-day festival season, especially on Chinese New Year dinner on New Year's Eve, which is believed to bring good luck for the coming year. 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 1. Tangerine or Kumquat Tree — Wealth and Good Luck. Kumquat trees are a very popular plant displayed during the Chinese New Year holidays, especially in South China's Cantonese-speaking regions of Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Having a kumquat tree at home symbolizes a wish for both wealth and good luck. The 15-day new year celebration, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, begins with the first new moon after the winter solstice. It’s the biggest holiday in Chinese culture and considered the world’s largest annual human migration , with millions across China journeying home to spend time with their families pre-pandemic. A yummy fruity snack and tasty noodles are power foods on Lunar New Year because they invite in good luck. Mandarin oranges symbolize wealth, and eating two is good luck (it's that whole even numbers thing again). You can gift two Mandarin oranges to others to wish them luck, too. Always offer them with both hands as a sign of respect. 1. Chinese Dumplings — For Wealth. The Chinese Dumplings symbolize wealth, and eating them on the New Year can bring abundance, prosperity, and good luck.. Chinese dumplings are prepared by adding certain ingredients, such as minced meat, together with lightly chopped vegetables draped in a slightly stretchy dough skin. (Happy New Year), and Da ji da li! (great luck and great fortune),” says Paul Liew, third-generation owner of Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK), a Michelin Guide-recommended no-frills food stall in Kumquat trees are a very popular plant displayed during the Chinese New Year holidays, especially in South China's Cantonese-speaking regions of Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, and Guangxi. 7. Blooming Flowers — Wishes for a Prosperous New Year. Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, marks the beginning of spring. Each culture celebrating the Lunar New Year has traditions passed down from generation to generation that are thought to bring good luck. For the Lunar New Year 2025, I asked NPR readers and 7. Grapes – A Year Full of Abundance. Grapes are another important fruit for New Year’s Eve. The tradition says that if you manage to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month of the year, you’ll have good luck in the year ahead. This tradition dates back to the 1880s and is still going strong. Chinese New Year superstitions are traditional beliefs and practices observed during the Lunar New Year to bring good luck and ward off misfortune. These customs range from avoiding certain actions to performing specific rituals, all aimed at ensuring a prosperous year ahead. 20 Chinese New Year Superstitions 1. Avoid Cleaning on New Year’s Day This is true with our Asian friends preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year, aka the Chinese New Year. While red envelopes and tangerines remain popular traditions for this celebration, the real magic lies in the exchange of greetings. But, don’t fret if you’re at a loss for Chinese New Year sayings — we got you covered. The tradition is believed to bring good luck for each of the 12 months of the upcoming year, CBS News reported. The tradition reportedly began in Spain in the late 1800s, possibly as a way to use Chinese Zodiac Mascot. According to Chinese astrology, each zodiac sign has auspicious symbols associated with it, believed to bring good luck. During one’s zodiac year, gifting a mascot featuring their lucky zodiac signs is considered highly favorable. Packed with eight auspicious ingredients, this rice pudding symbolizes abundance and good luck. Each spoonful promises blessings and a thriving year. Eight Treasure Rice Pudding, a culinary masterpiece in Lunar New Year celebrations, goes beyond its delectable taste to embody symbols of abundance and good luck. Packed with auspicious This year, Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29. Those who celebrate will be entering the year of the snake. Just like with any holiday, traditions abound for Chinese New Year. Some of On the shopping list for the Chinese New Year, a vase of kumquats is a well good luck option, since is considered to bring home and to call luck, happiness, prosperity, and new economic income as well symbolize union and harmony. 5. Wearing Red – Dress for Luck. Wearing red clothing during Chinese New Year brings good fortune and wards off bad luck. Tip: Avoid wearing black or white, as these colors are traditionally associated with mourning. 6. Fireworks and Firecrackers – Chasing Away Evil Spirits
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