Hi friends! Happy Chinese New Year!
When Chinese New Year arrives, the atmosphere is always warm and full of togetherness. One of the most anticipated things is the delicious dishes served on the dining table. But did you know that every food served during Chinese New Year has its own meaning and symbolizes different hopes? Let Mas TIKI tell you more!
Chinese New Year is not just a celebration of the new year, but also a moment to offer prayers and hopes for the coming year. The food served during Chinese New Year is not only delicious but also rich in symbolic meaning. By understanding the meaning behind each dish, we can better appreciate the traditions and culture that have been passed down through generations.
Here are some typical Chinese New Year foods along with their meanings:
Kue Keranjang (Nian Gao)
Kue keranjang, or Chinese dodol, is made from glutinous rice flour and sugar. Its chewy and sticky texture symbolizes family harmony and togetherness. This cake is usually stacked, representing hopes for increasing wealth, career advancement, and prosperity.
Lapis Legit (Thousand-Layer Cake)
Lapis legit symbolizes layered and abundant blessings. Eating it is believed to bring a sweet and fortunate life.
Kue Bulan (Mooncake)
Its round shape symbolizes perfection and hopes for wealth, success, and health in the new year.
Kue Ku (Ang Ku Kueh)
Kue ku is shaped like a tortoise shell and is red in color, symbolizing prosperity. It is usually filled with mung bean paste and sometimes stamped with symbols of good luck.
Kue Mangkok (Fa Gao)
Kue mangkok, shaped like a blooming flower, symbolizes growing prosperity. The more petals it has, the greater the luck it is believed to bring.
Siu Mie (Longevity Noodles)
Siu mie is long noodles that symbolize the hope for a long life. When eating them, the noodles should not be cut to ensure the wish for longevity comes true.
Yee Sang (Prosperity Salad)
Yee sang consists of various vegetables and fish. When eating it, family members lift the dish or their chopsticks high as a symbol of great hopes and success in the future.
Dumpling
Dumplings are shaped like ancient Chinese coins, symbolizing wealth. The number of dumplings eaten is believed to predict how much fortune one will receive in the new year.
Chinese New Year foods not only delight the taste buds but also teach us about life values. Each dish reminds us of the importance of family, hopes for abundant blessings, and prayers for health and longevity. By understanding the meaning behind each food, we can better appreciate moments of togetherness and the traditions passed down to us.
Chinese New Year is the perfect time to celebrate togetherness and express new hopes. So, let’s serve Chinese New Year dishes on your dining table and invite your family to understand the meaning behind each dish. Don’t forget to send food or hampers to family or friends—just use TIKI, okay, friends!
Happy Chinese New Year! Mas TIKI wishes you all good health, abundant blessings, and happiness in 2025!
