Celebrating LUNAR NEW YEAR:
A feast of tradition and symbolism
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a time of vibrant celebrations, joyous reunions, and, of course, a feast that showcases a rich tapestry of flavours and cultural significance.
Lunar New Year is celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other East Asian communities, each bringing their own cultural flair to the festivities. The diversity in customs and celebrations reflects the unique histories and traditions of these cultures.
In Chinese communities, families engage in thorough cleaning to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune.
The colour red dominates decorations, symbolizing prosperity and happiness. Firecrackers are set off to ward off evil spirits, and lion and dragon dances fill the streets with energy.
In Korean celebrations, Seollal, the Korean New Year, is marked by ancestral rituals and the sharing of traditional foods.
Vietnamese Tet, as their Lunar New Year is known, involves vibrant parades and the preparation of special dishes.
Lunar New Year typically falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 (for 2024, we are celebrating Feb. 10), following the lunar calendar. Based on the cycles of the moon, it differs from the solar calendar we commonly use. This distinction results in the Lunar New Year falling on a different date each year. The celebration typically lasts for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival.
The significance of the lunar calendar lies in its connection to agricultural cycles, influencing planting and harvesting seasons.
In East Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is not just a time to mark the passage of time, but also a reflection of the natural rhythms that shape their agrarian societies.
Food plays a central role in Lunar New Year celebrations, with each dish carefully selected for its symbolic meaning. These foods are believed to bring good luck, prosperity and happiness to the coming year.
Let’s explore some of the most iconic Lunar New Year dishes and their cultural significance.
Jiaozi (dumplings) A staple in Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, dumplings are shaped like ancient Chinese money, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Families often gather to make dumplings together, fostering a sense of unity and shared fortune.
Nian Gao (sticky rice cake) This sweet and sticky rice cake is associated with the promise of a “higher year,” signifying growth, progress and the promise of better times ahead. It’s often sliced and stirfried, symbolizing the progression of life and the pursuit of success.
Yu (fish) The Chinese word for fish, “yu,” sounds like the word for surplus or abundance. As such, serving fish during Lunar New Year represents the wish for a surplus of wealth and prosperity in the coming year.
Tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup) In Korea, Tteokguk is a traditional soup made with thinly sliced rice cakes. Eating this dish symbolizes aging by one year and gaining wisdom, emphasizing the importance of embracing the passage of time. Nem (spring rolls) In Vietnamese culture, nem or spring rolls are associated with wealth and the arrival of spring. Their cylindrical shape resembles gold bars, reinforcing the belief in a prosperous future. Oranges and tangerines In many East Asian cultures, the round shape and colour of oranges and tangerines symbolize wealth and good fortune. The Chinese word for orange sounds like “gold,” further reinforcing its association with prosperity.
Jai (Buddha’s delight) A vegetarian dish enjoyed during Chinese New Year, Jai is a medley of ingredients such as mushrooms and bamboo shoots. It is believed to bring purity and cleanse the body, aligning with the focus on renewal and fresh beginnings.
Lunar New Year is a time of cultural richness, vibrant festivities, and, of course, a culinary journey steeped in tradition and symbolism. The foods prepared during this celebration serve not only to satiate the palate but also to convey wishes for good fortune, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year.
As we savour these delectable dishes, we partake in a celebration that transcends borders, connecting us to the diverse and enduring traditions of East Asian cultures. JOYCE LEUNG IS A FOOD WRITER AND BLOGGER WHO LIVES IN HAMILTON. FIND HER TEACHING ASIAN COOKING CLASSES AROUND THE CITY WHEN SHE IS NOT DINING OUT AND TRYING ALL THE DELICIOUS RESTAURANTS OF HAMILTON. JOYCE WILL NOT WRITE ABOUT ANY ORGANIZATIONS SHE HAS A SEPARATE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH. YOU CAN REACH HER AT JOYCE@JOYCEOFCOOKING.COM