As I was feverishly running at the REC Center and pedaling on an exercise bike in attempts to lose weight before I gain it all back during the holiday season, I had to stop and think about what types of foods are traditionally eaten for Chinese New Year. This is the largest Chinese celebration of the year, the food must be lavish as well.
"Chi fan le mei you?" "Have you eaten yet?" is the popular greeting guests encounter before they fill their belly with foods of good luck and fortune. Guests bring with them oranges and tangerines as gifts of gold and wealth.
Starting at midnight, families begin eating sticky rice pudding cakes and dumplings to represent the wealth they will acquire in the coming year. All of the dishes served have a meaning and representation, and here are just a few:
Hoe see fat choy: Hair seaweed and dried oysters for, "wealth and good business."
Pig's tongue: "profit."
Ju-won and you-won: fish balls and meat balls symbolic of a reunion.
Five meats or vegetables: "the five blessings of the new year." These blessings include longevity, riches, peace, wisdom and virtue.
Dishes served on Chinese New Year are prepared uncut and whole, typically with poultry including chicken and duck served with the head and feet. This is have completeness and avoid misfortune in the family. Included with this food preparation, knives are not used during the holiday, otherwise it could sever a families fortune.
So it is back to the gym for me to prepare for what I see as a truly cultural and symbolic eating celebration.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Chinese New Year- Year of the Rat
The most important holiday for the Chinese is Chinese New Year. While celebrations occur throughout the year which I have touched on earlier, none are as prominent as this celebration, also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.
The date of Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the first lunar month, typically anywhere between January 21 and February 20. The Chinese calendar runs on a twelve year cycle of the animal zodiac, with each year dedicated to a different animal. The celebration lasts for fourteen days, ending on the fifteenth day of the Lantern Festival.
For the coming year Chinese New Year will fall on Feb. 7, 2008. As 2007 was laced with sightings of pigs for Year of the Pig, 2008 serves as the Year of the Rat. I wonder how many rodents will be racing around the street.
Chinese New Year is a family affair. Time is spent with the elderly of the family and paying respect to the ancestors. Ancestors who have sense passed are looked at with great respect because they are considered the members of the family who laid down the groundwork of fortune and good luck in the family. On New Year's Eve, a communal dinner between the living and the spirits of the ancestors will take place to celebrate as one community. This is known as "surrounding the stove."
Though Chinese New Year is still two months away, it is never to early to consider plans and events for the celebration. Red envelopes will be distributed, lavish foods will be eaten, and quality time with loved ones will be spent. How will you celebrate the occasion?
The date of Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the first lunar month, typically anywhere between January 21 and February 20. The Chinese calendar runs on a twelve year cycle of the animal zodiac, with each year dedicated to a different animal. The celebration lasts for fourteen days, ending on the fifteenth day of the Lantern Festival.
For the coming year Chinese New Year will fall on Feb. 7, 2008. As 2007 was laced with sightings of pigs for Year of the Pig, 2008 serves as the Year of the Rat. I wonder how many rodents will be racing around the street.
Chinese New Year is a family affair. Time is spent with the elderly of the family and paying respect to the ancestors. Ancestors who have sense passed are looked at with great respect because they are considered the members of the family who laid down the groundwork of fortune and good luck in the family. On New Year's Eve, a communal dinner between the living and the spirits of the ancestors will take place to celebrate as one community. This is known as "surrounding the stove."
Though Chinese New Year is still two months away, it is never to early to consider plans and events for the celebration. Red envelopes will be distributed, lavish foods will be eaten, and quality time with loved ones will be spent. How will you celebrate the occasion?
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