Celebrating a Lunar New Year Rooted in Togetherness—& Food

The lunar calendar is based on the movement of the moon, a method of timekeeping used, in part, because of China’s agrarian society. The start of a new cycle, the Lunar New Year is perhaps one of the most anticipated festivals in China. Preparation starts days before the new year and festivities extend halfway into the first month. The migration is phenomenal—more than three billion people make their way home to celebrate with their families.

The preparations for this holiday are some of my favorite memories from childhood: helping my mom with small tasks like washing vegetables, wrapping dumplings, and setting the table. The anticipation was an energy in and of itself: giddy and utterly exciting. On New Year’s Eve, guests are welcomed with cups of tea and fresh fruit. Places are set for those who cannot return home. Specific foods are served for their symbolism—anything to maximize prosperity. Fish, whose Chinese character, 鱼 yu, is a homophone for surplus, 余 yu, is served whole for fortune. Golden egg dumplings because they resemble gold ingots of a time past.

In the days after the New Year, the festivities continue. On the fifth day, the fortune god comes to town, and sweeping is avoided at this time, for fear that you could sweep out good luck. The fifteenth day of the new year is called 元宵 Yuan Xiao, “Lantern Festival.” Yuan Xiao also refers to, “sticky rice balls,” which are eaten as symbols of togetherness and unity.

At this point, half of the new month has passed in celebration. In the agricultural cycle, this is when the first rains of the new year will happen, and people ready themselves to go back to work to prepare the fields. Thus, another cycle begins.by Betty Liu. © 2021 by Betty Liu. Published by Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission.This post contains products independently chosen by our editors and writers.

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