Chinese New Year food is a huge part of the two week celebration which takes place during the first lunar month of the year. This particular New Year celebration is determined by the Chinese character. It is a lot like the Western new year, in that it does, indeed, celebrate the coming of a new year. Only the logistics are different. In the Western world, some cultures cook up cabbage on New Year's day, adding silver coins into the pot in order to bring health, wealth, and luck in the coming year. With the Chinese New Year, the sentiments are the same. Only the foods served are different.
There is a wealth of opportunity to eat delicious and symbolic food during this celebration. It is served for a two week period. From the first day of the first lunar month, the celebration lasts until the fifteenth day of the month. Some people have the food catered, some people make it themselves, but the food served is always strongly symbolic.
In some cases, foods are considered precursors of good fortune because of how they appear. A whole chicken, for instance, is a symbol of family togetherness. Thus, offering a whole chicken during the Chinese New Year festivities promises that the family will remain together throughout the coming year.
Serving noodles is almost a requirement. They are very special. They are the symbol for a long life well lived. That is why it is important never to cut long noodles. Doing so could be unlucky. Clams and Spring rolls symbolize good fortune and wealth. The clams resemble gold bouillon. The rolls resemble bars of gold.
Sometimes, foods are used because of the way the Chinese words for them sound. For example, the Cantonese word for lettuce sounds like the word for fortune, so lettuce is served. Tangerines and oranges are served because the Chinese words for them sound like the words for luck and wealth. So, a good itself does not necessarily have to be lucky. If it is somehow associated with luck, that is just as beneficial.
Fish is also frequently served. It has several symbols attached to it. The Chinese word for fish is "yu." It sounds like the words for terms of good fortune. As well, the fish itself is considered indicative of good luck. When it is served whole with both the head and tail in tact, it is indicative of the year's good beginning and ending.
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