Happy Lunar New Year!
This year is the year of the TIGER! π―
Happy Year of the Tiger!
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese culture, so I thought I would share some of the Chinese New Year traditions!
Chinese Zodiac π
There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The tiger represents courage and bravery, therefor this year could be a year of resiliency and bravery.
People born in the year of the tiger are brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. They are also quick-witted, resourceful and well liked, however can sometimes be stubborn as well.
Traditional Greetings
Chinese New Year Sweets
Some of the most popular Chinese New Year traditional greetings are:
ζ°εΉ΄εΏ«δΉ - Happy New Year!
ζεεθ΄’ - Wishing you happiness and prosperity!
θΊ«δ½ε₯εΊ· - Wising you good health!
Red Envelopes π§§
One tradition during Chinese New Year is to give out red envelopes. Traditionally children wish their parents and grandparents well wishes (see above) and in return they receive red envelopes with βluckyβ money for the new year.
The envelopes should contain new, crisp bills and not be in a denomination of an unlucky number, such as 4, which sounds like the word for death in Chinese.
Traditional Lucky Food
Similar to many holidays, there are traditional foods that are eaten to bring you luck, happiness and prosperity into the new year.
Chinese New Year Dinner
Here are a few of the dishes and what they represent:
Fish π - Abundance
Shrimp π¦ - Laughter
Noodles π - Longevity
A whole soy sauce chicken (head and feet) π - Togetherness
Lettuce π₯¬ - Wealth
Prosperity Cakes (fa gao) π₯ - steamed rice flour cakes
Oranges & Tangerines π- wealth, success & good luck
It is also a tradition to have an excess of food and to have the leftovers the next day, this is to represent that you are bountiful and not going hungry into the new year. My family and I try to have 8 dishes since 8 is a lucky number in the Chinese culture.
These are just a few of the many traditions for Chinese New Year!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Lunar New Year with your loved ones!