By: Toshita Sahni
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Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year begins on January 29 this year. The celebrations of this 15-day festival will go on till February 12, 2025.
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Here are 8 traditional foods commonly enjoyed during Lunar New Year celebrations, along with their symbolic meanings:
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Uncut noodles represent a wish for a long and healthy life. The noodles are either fried or boiled and served in a bowl with broth.
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The shape of the Jiaozi dumplings is said to resemble that of ancient Chinese gold ingots, which are associated with wealth and prosperity.
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The word for fish sounds like "abundance". It's common to keep some part leftover, which implies having a surplus/prosperity at the beginning of the New Year.
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The name sounds like "year high," symbolising progress and growth. Traditional Vietnamese banh chung is made with glutinous rice, mung beans and pork.
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Their golden, cylindrical shape resembles gold bars, symbolising wealth. The ingredients of the stuffing are believed to represent growth and abundance.
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Tangerine and orange are said to be symbols of good fortune, while pomelo represents abundance.
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The shape and name of this delicacy (called Tang Yuan) represent the idea of togetherness. The name sounds like "reunion".
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Shrimp is also a popular food enjoyed during Chinese New Year. It represents liveliness, happiness, and good fortune.
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To learn more about some of these foods
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