| The Chinese New Year’s eve dinner is | | | | symbolize good fortune, long life and |
| believed to be the most important family ritual of | | | | abundance. It has: |
| the year. Food symbolizes abundance, and being | | | | - dried oysters for good business |
| together stands for family ties. Abundance, | | | | - sea moss called fat choy that mean prosperity |
| health and happiness of the family are the main | | | | - Chinese black mushrooms is about getting |
| focus of the New Year’s Eve dinner. It is | | | | wishes granted |
| said that if a family does not share this | | | | - bean noodles called fun see symbolize long life |
| all-important meal of the year, the family’s | | | | - lily buds mean 100 years of blissful union |
| love will grow cold. This is a special event in the | | | | - lotus seeds to have sons |
| year that sibling rivalries and family issues are set | | | | - dried bean curd also symbolize abundance |
| aside. Everybody is encouraged to eat well and | | | | - cloud ears are good luck |
| be merry. | | | | - and snow peas also bring in prosperity. |
| The Chinese New Year’s eve dinner honors | | | | - Poultry like duck or chicken are served whole |
| both the past and current generations. | | | | (with head and feet) to symbolize unity or |
| Ancestors are remembered and honored. They | | | | wholeness. Missing body parts mean it is broken |
| too are included in the fast as food is offered at | | | | and are not good symbols, so best have it in 1 |
| the family altar, especially for them. Letting the | | | | complete piece when possible. |
| family elders eat first is a sign of respect and | | | | - Long, leafy green vegetables such as Chinese |
| love. Before the family sits down to eat | | | | broccoli and Chinese string beans are served |
| together, the family ancestral spirits are served | | | | whole, believed to bring longevity to parents. |
| the dinner first, including tea and wine, at the | | | | - Fish is yu. “Yu” sounds like |
| altar. This gesture not only pays respects to the | | | | abundance. This dish is often served last. The |
| forebears but is also a way of giving thanks. | | | | head and tail should not be removed from the |
| After all, it is believed that the wellness of the | | | | body to ensure good luck throughout the year. |
| ancestors reflect on the family fortune. | | | | The family should also be careful to not flip the |
| The family dinner brings hope for the Chinese | | | | fish over. This superstition stems from the old |
| New Year. Food served also has many symbols | | | | fisherfolk belief that flipping fish over will also flip |
| of abundance, health and happiness. | | | | fishing boats. |
| Here are some of the courses offered for the | | | | - Rice or long-grain noodles are also eaten with |
| family’s Chinese New Year eve dinner: | | | | this hearty feast. |
| - Soup. Favorites are bird’s nest soupd and | | | | Some of the food are deliberately left over to |
| shark’s fin soup. The bird’s nest soup | | | | signify abundance through out the year. This is |
| symbolizes long life and youthfulness. While | | | | also convenient, as it is custom that animals |
| shark’s fin symbolizes prosperity. | | | | cannot be killed, even for meals, on the first day |
| - Jai Choy is a special vegetarian dish that is most | | | | of the new year. |
| appropriate for Chinese New Year. All ingredients | | | | |