Food Symbolism
Most of the dishes served during Lunar New Year (also known as Spring Festival) are symbolic of something positive and hopeful.
- Chicken and fish, for example, symbolize happiness and prosperity--especially when served whole.
- Dishes made with oranges represent wealth and good fortune because they are China's most plentiful fruit.
- Noodles represent longevity: therefore, they should never be cut!
- Duck symbolizes fidelity, while eggs signify fertility.
- Bean curd or tofu, however, is avoided because its white color suggests death and misfortune.
Dishes are also chosen based on homonyms--words that either are spelled the same or sound the same as other words. Fish (yu) is served because it sounds similar to the Chinese word for plenty; whole fish represents abundance. Turnips are cooked because their name (cai tou) also means "good luck
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