Happy Niu (OX) Year 2009
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On Chinese New Year Eve, all family members gather to have the most important reunion meal in the entire year. This is similar to Christmas dinner for westerners. Therefore, Chinese families usually serve expensive cuisines like shark-fins and abalones during this day. Traditionally, the meal is prepared by all adult female members of the family, which helps binding a close relationship amongst the female members. As more women join the work-force, the responsibility is passed to whoever available on that day. Nowadays many families opt to dine out for this special meal and reservations must be made months before to ensure availability.
Chinese New Year 2009 falls on January 26th and will mark the 15 day long festivities beginning on the said date and going on till the 9th February.
Chinese have a unique way of representing the New Year through animals. They have 12 different animals to represent each year of the 12 year -cycle and the order remains the same throughout with the year of the rat beginning the cycle and the year of the boar/ pig ending the same. As the Chinese year 2008 was signified as the year of the rat, this year2009, is going to be the year of the ox (niu). So, you can hear ox related Chinese “Niu” Year Greetings, niu zhuan qian kun “牛转乾夔 , niu nian xing da yun “牛年行大返 etc..
What food to eat during Chinese New Year?
Mandarin Oranges = （金） Gold
Chinese people are very superstitious in many ways, the superstitions played major parts in forming the Chinese customs.
During Chinese New Year, cuisines are carefully selected and named to only carry good meanings. Below are several examples of Chinese New Year ingredients: -
| Lettuce | - lettuce in Chinese sounds like ‘making money’ |
| Lettuce roll | - the action of wrapping food in lettuce leaves carries the meaning of ‘Definitely having a baby soon’, good for newly-weds. |
| Seaweed | - the special hair-like seaweed sounds like ‘Get Rich’ |
| Bamboo shoot | - indicates ‘New Start’, also means ‘Advancing in Career’ |
| Fish | - this is a must in every New Year meals as it indicates ‘Having leftovers of Money’ |
| Abalone | - carries the meaning ‘Definite Good Fortune’ |
| Prawns | - the pronunciation of prawns in Chinese sounds like the laughing sound, and thus carries the meaning ‘Happiness’ |
| Lotus seeds | - carries the meaning ‘Getting Many Siblings’ |
| Walnut | - carries the meaning ‘Happiness of the Entire Family’ |
| Cashew Nuts | - its shape symbolizes the ‘Gold Bar’ of ancient times “Yuan Bao” |
| Mandarin orange | - its pronunciation sounds like ‘Gold’ Mandarin Oranges |
Wishing You :
Gong Xi Fa Chai “æå–œå‘è´¢”,
Niu Zhuan Qian Kun “牛转乾夔.
Wow! What great information! Happy New Year!
Rhonda, Thanks for dropping by.. Kong Xi Fa Chai
Would you please give me the recipe for the Lobster and Cheese. It looks so good.
Martha