The Traditions of Lunar New Year

As the moon shifts and the seasons turn, we are preparing to welcome one of the most vibrant and meaningful celebrations in the world: Lunar New Year. Also referred to as the Spring Festival in Chinese, 春节(Chūnjié), it is celebrated by a multitude of cultures and countries such China, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand. 

 

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Lunar New Year follows the cycles of the moon and thus falls on a different day each year. This year, the festivities kick off on February 17th. Depending on the country, the Spring Festival can last up to 15 days, culminating in the beautiful Lantern Festival.

While many know it for firecrackers and red envelopes, those are just two components of the Spring Festival, which is a time of reunion, gratitude, eating well, and preparing for a prosperous year. This year, as we transition into the Year of the Horse (a symbol of energy, independence, and rapid success), we invite you to explore the deep symbolism behind the flavors of the season. 

 

Inside Our Guide to the New Year: 

       1. Luck & Protection | 紅包 (hóngbāo) — Red Envelopes

       2. Abundance & Surplus | 鮑魚 (bàoyú) — Canned Abalone

       3. The King of Herbs | 人參 (rénshēn) — Ginseng Gifts

       4. A Sweet Life | 利是糖 (lìshìtáng) New Year Candy & 花生酥 (huāshēngsū) Peanut Candy

       5. Wealth & Financial Success | 綠豆糕 (lǜdòugāo) — Mung Bean Cakes

       6. A Smooth Sailing Year | 柿餅 (shìbǐng) — Dried Persimmon

       7. Family Reunions | 桂圓 (guìyuán) — Dried Longan

       8. Early Prosperity | 紅棗 (hóngzǎo) — Red Dates

Goods, Gifts, & Symbols of Prosperity

In Chinese culture, gifts and foods shared with loved ones can symbolize fortune and prosperity among other meanings. Here is the significance behind some traditional favorites:

 

1. Red Envelopes — 红包 (hóngbāo) 

Red envelopes, known as hóngbāo in Mandarin or lai see in Cantonese, is the cornerstone of Lunar New Year, symbolizing a gesture of good fortune and protection from the older generation to the younger one. The money inside the envelope is welcome but the significance lies in the red paper, which is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring luck, health, and prosperity to the recipient.

The act of giving is governed by specific etiquette: the money inside should be crisp and new, and the total amount should avoid the number four (associated with death) while favoring the number eight (associated with wealth). This exchange reinforces social bonds and family hierarchy, serving as a tangible foundation for a safe and peaceful transition into the new year.

2. Abalone — 鲍鱼 (bàoyú)

Abalone is the premier food to serve during Lunar New Year. As with many customs in the Chinese language, abalone is a play on word. 鲍鱼 (bàoyú) sounds similar to the phrase 包余 (bāoyú), which translates roughly to guaranteed abundance. Because of this, serving abalone is a symbolic way to ensure wealth and resources will overflow in the coming year. Its unique shape— resembling the gold ingots used as ancient Chinese currency — further cements its status as a dish of prosperity. Whether served as the centerpiece of a communal big bowl feast or gifted in ornate cans, it represents a wish that the recipient will never want for anything more in the year ahead.

3. Ginseng — 人参 (rénshēn)

Often referred to as the "King of Herbs," ginseng is the gold standard for lunar gifting. It is deeply respected in traditional culture for its life-giving properties and its resemblance to the human form, symbolizing a harmony between nature and the body. During the New Year, gifting high-quality Ginseng is a profound gesture of filial piety and care. It is a way of wishing elders and loved ones a year of strength and spirit, providing them with the energy and longevity needed to enjoy the fruits of their hard work. Ginseng is typically enjoyed steeped as a restorative tea or added to nourishing soups during the reunion dinner.

4. Peanut Crisps 花生酥 (huāshēngsū) & New Year Candy 利是糖 (lìshìtáng)

Sweet treats symbolize a sweet life for the coming year. Peanuts, specifically, are symbols of longevity and vitality. The Chinese name for peanuts, 花生, is composed of the characters for flower (花) and life/birth (生). Because they grow in clusters and the seeds are tucked tightly in their shells, they also represent the hope for a large, prosperous family and the possibility to blossom in the coming year.

While simple roasted peanuts are a staple, the New Year brings out more festive varieties. You can find them boiled with aromatic star anise and salt and for a sweeter start to the year, peanut crisp candies 花生酥 (huāshēngsū) — made by binding crushed nuts with black or white sesame and golden syrup — are a classic holiday treat, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and the crunch of good fortune. Other candies and snacks include red envelope candy  利是糖 (lìshìtáng), candied coconut strips, candied lotus seeds, and candied winter melon strips. 

By Denise Chan - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2969213

5. Mung Bean Cakes — 綠豆糕 (lǜdòugāo)

Mung bean cakes are more than just a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treat; they are a visual wish for financial success. Traditionally pressed into intricate molds, their shape and soft yellow hue are meant to mimic ancient gold blocks or tiles, representing a solid foundation of wealth for the household.

Lunar New Year snacks are often fried or spicy (known as "heat-y" foods), and mung beans are prized for their "cooling" properties in traditional herbology. Offering mung bean cakes to guests is a thoughtful way to promote balance and harmony within the body, ensuring everyone stays healthy and balanced as they celebrate the arrival of Spring.

6. Dried Persimmons — 柿餅 (shìbǐng) 

Dried persimmons 柿餅 (shìbǐng) carry a wealth of symbolism rooted in both linguistics and visual tradition. Because the Mandarin word for persimmon (shì) sounds exactly like the word for "affairs" or "matters," the fruit is a primary symbol for the auspicious phrase shì shì rú yì, which translates to "may all your affairs go as you wish." Often served as part of a "tray of togetherness," they represent a wish for a smooth, successful life where every endeavor yields a sweet result.

7. Dried Longan — 桂圆 (guìyuán) 

At the heart of Lunar New Year is the concept of tuán yuán, or the gathering of the family. Dried longans are the ultimate symbol of this reunion. Their Chinese name, 桂圆 guìyuán, sounds like the word for "roundness" and "completeness," signifying a family circle that is unbroken and a life that is fulfilled.

Beyond their symbolic round shape, longans are cherished for their deep, honey-like sweetness. Often steeped into warming teas alongside red dates or used in sweet soups, they are prized for their ability to nourish the spirit, improve blood circulation, and aid sleep. Whether enjoyed as a snack or a restorative brew, they bring a sense of comfort and wholeness to the holiday table.

8. Red Dates — 红枣 (hóngzǎo) 

In the palette of the Lunar New Year, no color is more vital than red, and the Red Date is nature’s perfect ambassador for the season. The symbolism lies in its name: hóng means red (the color of luck and protection), while zǎo is a homophone for "early" or "soon." Because of this, eating red dates—or gifting them—carries the heartfelt wish that prosperity and success will arrive early in the coming year. Whether enjoyed as a chewy, sweet snack on their own or found in a restorative tea, these ruby fruits are a staple of the New Year food tray.

Bring the Traditions Home

Whether you are honoring your own heritage or participating in the festivities for the first time, we’ve curated a selection of authentic essentials to help you celebrate with intention. From gifting sets to the lucky red envelopes needed to start the year right, you can explore our Lunar New Year collection.