EggEgg

The Chinese believe eggs symbolize The Chinese believe eggs symbolize fertility. After a baby is born, parents fertility. After a baby is born, parents may hold a "red egg and ginger may hold a "red egg and ginger party," where they pass out hard party," where they pass out hard boiled eggs to announce the birth. boiled eggs to announce the birth.

NoodlesNoodles

Noodles are a Noodles are a symbol of symbol of longevity in longevity in Chinese culture. Chinese culture. They are as much They are as much a part of a Chinese a part of a Chinese birthday birthday celebration as a celebration as a birthday cake with birthday cake with lit candles is in lit candles is in many countries. many countries. Since noodles do Since noodles do symbolize long life, symbolize long life, it is considered it is considered very unlucky to cut very unlucky to cut up a strand.   up a strand.  

FishFish

In China a fish served whole is a symbol of prosperity. In China a fish served whole is a symbol of prosperity. In fact, at a banquet it is customary to serve the whole In fact, at a banquet it is customary to serve the whole fish last, pointed toward the guest of honor. Fish also fish last, pointed toward the guest of honor. Fish also has symbolic significance because the Chinese word has symbolic significance because the Chinese word for fish, for fish, yuyu, sounds like the word for riches or , sounds like the word for riches or abundance, and it is believed that eating fish will help abundance, and it is believed that eating fish will help your wishes come true in the year to come.your wishes come true in the year to come.

DuckDuck

If you are ever invited to If you are ever invited to a Chinese wedding a Chinese wedding banquet, don't be banquet, don't be surprised to spot a surprised to spot a mouthwatering platter of mouthwatering platter of Peking duck on the Peking duck on the banquet table. Ducks banquet table. Ducks represent fidelity in represent fidelity in Chinese culture. Also, red Chinese culture. Also, red dishes are featured at dishes are featured at weddings as red is the weddings as red is the color of happiness. (You'll color of happiness. (You'll find them served at New find them served at New Year's banquets for the Year's banquets for the same reason.) same reason.)

ChickenChicken

In Chinese culture, chicken In Chinese culture, chicken forms part of the symbolism of forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix. At a the dragon and phoenix. At a Chinese wedding, chicken's feet Chinese wedding, chicken's feet (sometimes referred to as (sometimes referred to as phoenix feet) are often served phoenix feet) are often served with dragon foods such as with dragon foods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular lobster. Chicken is also popular at Chinese New Year, at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriage symbolizing a good marriage and the coming together of and the coming together of families (serving the bird whole families (serving the bird whole emphasizes family unity). emphasizes family unity).

SeedSeedss

Visit an Asian Visit an Asian bakery during the bakery during the Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year, and you're likely to and you're likely to find a wide find a wide assortment of assortment of snacks with snacks with different types of different types of seeds in them. The seeds in them. The seed-filled treats seed-filled treats represent bearing represent bearing many children in many children in Chinese culture. Chinese culture.

Fruit Fruit Tangerines and oranges Tangerines and oranges

are passed out freely are passed out freely during Chinese New Year during Chinese New Year as the words for as the words for tangerine and orange tangerine and orange sound like luck and sound like luck and wealth, respectively. As wealth, respectively. As for pomelos, this large for pomelos, this large ancestor of the ancestor of the grapefruit signifies grapefruit signifies abundance, as the abundance, as the Chinese word for pomelo Chinese word for pomelo sounds like the word for sounds like the word for "to have." "to have."

CakeCake

And what about the sweet, steamed cakes that And what about the sweet, steamed cakes that are so popular during the Chinese New Year are so popular during the Chinese New Year season? Cakes such as Sticky Rice Cake have season? Cakes such as Sticky Rice Cake have symbolic significance on many levels. Their symbolic significance on many levels. Their sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life, while sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life, while the layers symbolize rising abundance for the the layers symbolize rising abundance for the coming year. Finally, the round shape signifies coming year. Finally, the round shape signifies family reunion.family reunion.

VegetablesVegetables

Chinese garlic chivesChinese garlic chives symbolize eternity, symbolize eternity, while cone-shaped while cone-shaped winter bamboo shootswinter bamboo shoots are a symbol of wealth. are a symbol of wealth.