Luck & Prosperity in 2022
Eat Your Way to Prosperity and Good Luck
Just as we celebrate the New Year in the US with traditional foods such as blackeyed peas, ham and collard greens to bring luck and prosperity, there are several lucky foods that are traditionally eaten at the Chinese New Year.
Dumplings, a staple of Chinese cuisine, are associated with wealth. According to tradition, the more dumplings you eat during the New Year celebrations, the more money you can make in the New Year. It’s common to eat dumplings with cabbage and radish as a symbol of prosperity both for the body and the mind. However, dumplings with sauerkraut are forbidden because they mean a poor and difficult future. Before eating a dumpling, all the people at the dinner table have to say the following phrase: “Zhāo cái jìn bǎo,“ which means “Bringing in wealth and treasure.”
Spring Rolls – The name ”Spring Rolls” refers specifically to eating this dish during the Lunar Year (also called the Spring Festival). There are no specific rules to follow when it comes to spring rolls, but it’s common to say the phrase “A ton of gold,“ referring to this dish as a carrier of prosperity (they look like gold bars).
Vegetables play an important role in a Chinese dinner table, and each of them symbolizes something specific.
- Bamboo shoots represent longevity;
- Poria mushrooms represent blessings and fortune;
- Muskmelon and grapefruit represent family;
- Seaweed represents wealth and fortune.
Enjoy with family and friends as you celebrate the coming of Spring. Here’s to bringing in wealth and treasure!