The New Year is approaching, and every family is making elaborate preparations for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner. Rich or poor, every family hopes for good luck in the new year, so it has become a tradition to put auspicious dishes on the table.
Auspicious dishes are not simple ingredients, but representatives of rich culture and meaning. They symbolize family reunion, health and wealth, and are a vision and prayer for a better life in the future.
First of all, fish is a must-have on the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner table. Fish is the same as "yu" in Chinese, meaning more than every year. Whether it is steamed fish or braised fish, it represents wealth and surplus, implying getting richer every year.
Secondly, stewed meat dishes are also a frequent guest at Chinese New Year's Eve dinners. Pork, beef, or chicken all symbolize a good harvest and abundance. The aroma of meat dishes permeates throughout the home, making the heart warm and satisfied.
Indispensable are also essential vegetables for the Spring Festival, such as greens, cabbage and leeks. Their emerald green color represents vigor and vitality, implying that they can thrive and families thrive all year round.
In addition, starch-rich staple foods are also an indispensable part of the Chinese New Year's Eve meal. Rice, noodles or steamed buns all symbolize a good harvest and abundance. They connect the emotions of the family and become a symbol of reunion.
In addition to the above common auspicious dishes, there are also some dishes with regional characteristics that are also highly regarded. For example, Cantonese people like to eat poon choi, which means family reunion and prosperity, while Zhejiang people like to eat rice cakes, which means that they are getting sweeter every year.
Whether rich or not, every family will choose auspicious dishes according to their preferences and economic situation. Importantly, the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner is not only a hearty meal, but also a vehicle for family reunion and emotional exchange. On this special day, people pour their hearts and minds into the cooking of dishes, hoping to bring good luck and blessings to the whole family.
In the moment of welcoming the New Year, let us be grateful, cherish the moment of reunion with our families, and may all auspicious dishes bring us happiness and joy. May our wishes come true in the new year, all the best, happiness and health!