as this will be year of the snake
We've been busy cleaning the house,
getting fruits, buying new sheets, clothes and even new sofa cover..
argh i couldnt be happier..
G was such a great help too..
On the night at CNY eve, we went to have a whole fish for dinner and some spring rolls for good luck..
We ate our new year cake.. and a lot and lot and lot of sweets..
Funny thing, with all of this CNY stuff going on, G took me to this Spanish festival at Fed Square on saturday with the others..
Anyway..
I found this list of food that the Chinese believe to bring a good luck..
How many out of those did you eat?
=)
"Dumplings (jiao zi) are shaped like golden ingots, or yuan bao, which were used as money during the Ming Dynasty. Serving them brings the promise of wealth and prosperity. The more dumplings you eat, the more money you can make in the New Year.
Noodles/ misua—for long life
Hair seaweed (fat choy) with dried oysters (ho see)—they sound like the Chinese words for “wealth and good business.”
Lotus roots (lin ngau)—for abundance year after year
Lettuce, in Mandarin, sounds like “growing wealth.”
Lengua—when the pig’s tongue is served, it symbolizes “profit.”
Platter of five meats or vegetables—“Five Blessings of the New Year,” referring to longevity, riches, peace, wisdom, virtue
Fish—symbolizes a profitable year ahead.
Vegetables—freshness means lasting fortune.
Balls: Fish (yu-wan)/ meat (jou-wan)—the round shape of meat and fish balls symbolizes “reunion” and “togetherness.”
Radish/ Turnip Cake—Chinese for radish is tsai tou, which means “good omen.”
Poon Choi/ Big Bowl Feast—dish made of pork, chicken, beef, duck, prawns, tofu, abalone, dried mushrooms, Chinese radish, layered on top of one another, usually braised and served in a wooden bowl. Food in the bowl is shared, a communal activity, so dish promotes family relations.
Whole chicken with head and feet—boosts family togetherness, happiness.
Egg and spring rolls—shaped like gold bars, which connote wealth
Oranges, bamboo shoots and black moss seaweed—promotes wealth
Dried bean curd—happiness
Eggs—fertility
Chinese garlic chives—promotes long life.
Lychee, nuts—promotes close family ties.
Peanuts—long life
Pomelo—promotes abundance, prosperity, fertility and having more children.
Seeds, e.g. lotus or watermelon seeds—having many children
Tangerine citrus food—related to the mandarin orange and promotes good luck
Oysters, seaweed, abalone, and sea cucumber are added to the feast as symbols of good fortune."
