Tradition: Eating fish during Chinese New Year
On February 10 2024 we celebrate the Chinese New Year. In China, a different animal is drawn every year, based on the Chinese zodiac signs. 2024 is the year of the dragon! Were you born in 1976, 1988, 2000 or 2012? According to the Chinese astrology, this means that 2024 will be your year!
Tradition: Eating fish
A common tradition during the Chinese New Year, is eating (steamed, whole) fish. Fish is considered an essential element during this celebration because of its various special meanings. In many households the fish is placed in a central place on the table and it is customary to make a wish for prosperity and good luch as the fish is served. Is the head of the fish pointing in your direction? Then you are the one who can eat first. It is also important to share the fish with your loved ones. Sharing the fish is considered a beautiful and powerful way to convey good wishes.
Prosperity and good wishes
In Chinese the word 'fish' ( 鱼- yú) sound the same as the word 'abundance' (余 - yú). Eating fish during the New Year is therefore seen as a wish for abundance and prosperity in the coming year. The belief is that consuming fish will influence fate and contribute to wealth and succes.
Coherence and unity
Fish swim in schools, this symbolizes the harmony of marital happiness and having children. Serving a whole fish at New Year's dinner emphasizes the importance of cooperation and harmony in relationships. Each family member is part of the whole, similar to how each part of the fish forms a whole.
So, during the Chinese New Year, fish symbolizes more than just nutrition; it symbolizes welcoming hope, prosperity and positive energy for the new year.
Famous recipes to eat during Chinese New Year
Besides eating fish, there are also other dishes that are commonly eaten during the Chinese New Year. This also applies to 'Nian Gao', also known as glutinous rice cake. 'Gao' means cake but in Chinese sounds the same as 'long'. It refers to moving up, for example promotion or raise, and succes.
Fun fact:
You can wish a Happy New Year in 3 ways:
- In Mandarin: gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财）
- In Cantonese: gong hey fat choi (恭喜發財)
- Xin nian kuai le (新年快乐) literally means Happy New Year
