Last week we talked about Little New Year or Xiao Nian which represents the opening phase of the Spring Festival. We’re now ready for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day which fall on February 9th and 10th respectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;In our title we displayed the Cantonese and Mandarin phrases for Happy New Year. Now before we get challenged by those that quote a popular restaurant’s greeting of “Gung Hei Faat Choi” (actually meaning May You Be Prosperous in Cantonese), it is helpful to know that there are several greetings that you will hear over the period. Greetings that wish for business, career and personal success. Greetings that wish for prosperity, health, and abundance. Greetings that wish for your wishes. For English speakers you can proffer your own greeting, just understand that wealth and health are always front and centre.&nbsp;The Chinese Zodiac runs through a 12-year cycle and this year we will be celebrating the Year of the Dragon. These years are further divided into five specific elements that refine the characteristics of the year. This year it is the Wood Dragon, not seen since 1964. The Wood dragon will bring a year of abundance and prosperity – much like the forecast for most other years.&nbsp;Those born in the Year of the Dragon will display amazing attributes. They are charismatic, intelligent, confident, and powerful. They are naturally gifted and blessed with good luck. In everything that they do they give it their best and strive to meet the highest standards.&nbsp;But don’t despair if you’re not a Dragon, there is a little secret to be told, those born in each and any year display amazing attributes too. There is no wrong answer in the Chinese Zodiac.&nbsp;The Lunar New Year’s Eve takes place on February 9th this year. This day is one for family to get together, share a wonderful meal (in fact the most important meal of the year), and pass out “Red Pockets”. These “Red Pockets”, traditionally given from the older generation to the younger one, are envelopes that contain cash. They should contain new, crisp, and clean bills as this represents the fresh start to the new year. A modern twist has been placed on this tradition where digital “Red Pockets” are transferred from smartphone to smartphone. Functional, but it seems that some of the original feeling is lost. It becomes a transaction. Like paying your gas bill. We understand that few people will hand write a letter anymore, but maybe we can hang on to the tradition of a physical “Red Pocket” a little longer.&nbsp;All throughout the Spring Festival period there are special days that represent a particular focus. In-law’s Day, Son-in-Law Day, Day of the Rat, Sheep, Horse, and even the Human. These special days culminate with the Getting Ready for the Lantern Festival period. And food is always a central focus.&nbsp;Like New Year’s Eve and the other special days, New Year’s Day revolves around family and food. When<img class="image-style-align-left" src="https://files.rifo.co/CompanySite/112/112_LUNAR 02.jpg"> the greetings and well wishes have been delivered, the Red Pockets collected and banked, it is now time to eat. There are “must haves” on the main table, for the deserts and even with the snacks.&nbsp;Spring rolls from the South of China and dumplings from the North are a standard. However, many don’t think about the extra meaning. The Spring rolls look like little gold bars, the dumplings like the silver ingots of the old times.&nbsp;The mains must include fish, as the Chinese word yu for fish has a similar pronunciation to the word meaning extra or surplus. The fish, like the chicken is served whole to represent the whole of the family. And the whole chicken, means the whole chicken, including the feet. To prove the power of marketing, the feet are often called Phoenix Claws and symbolize the ability to grab wealth. That’s impressive salesmanship.&nbsp;There are many other dished including noodles and vegetables. Deserts like Nian Gao or rice cakes, and even turnip cake. The last dish likely being an acquired taste.&nbsp;Snacks, including baked seeds, popped rice (like North American popcorn), ginger candy, candied haw (which is part of a Song Dynasty legend that suggests it has magical medicinal powers) and even a Tim Horton’s type of fried dough twist, are all a part of the food culture that remains an enduring element of the Spring Festival. Next week we will write about the Lantern Festival, but until then, enjoy and eat hearty.&nbsp;PS: The picture is from Aqua, a restaurant located in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon. While not exclusively a traditional Chinese menu, their food is art and we thought it a perfect way to show how special this time of year is.

Get Ready For the Year of the Dragon and the Lunar New Year’s Celebrations For 2024!

Dive into the rich symbolism of Lunar New Year traditions in the Year of the Dragon. Experience cultural richness and savor festive delights of the year to come

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