The Chinese New year is very near. Around the world, Chinese people are busy preparing for the Chinese New Year will be on the 19th of February.

You’re not Chinese? No problem. Other cultures have adopted this tradition into their own, celebrating the event as well. This 2015, the Chinese New year will fall on the 19th of February. There will be fireworks, dancing, lantern festival, and best of all, feasts. Here are some foods to put on the table to bring good luck:

Tangerines and oranges – the Chinese word for orange and gold sounds alike, at the same time, the word for tangerine is similar to luck. Doris Lum, president of the Association of Chinese Cooking Teachers said, “It’s good if they have leaves, because leaves signify longevity. But don’t drop them in fours, for it is associated with death.”
Long Noodles – Keep them as long as possible, Lum says. For it signifies long life
The Tray of Togetherness – put out a tray of goodies for guests with eight kinds of goodies, for eight is traditionally a lucky number. Here are the usual treats and their significance:
Candied melon – growth and good health
Red melon seed – dyed red to symbolize joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
Lychee nut – strong family relationships
Kumquat – prosperity (gold)
Coconut – togetherness
Peanuts – long life
Longnan – many good sons
Lotus seed – many children
Nian Gao – means “year cake”. This cake symbolizes a year of succeeding new achievements for gao means high or tall in Chinese.
Pomelo – Pomelo sounds similar to prosperity and status. It is said to bring “continuous prosperity and status”, according to Rosemary Gong, author of Good Luck Life.
Jai – it is part of the Buddhist culture to cleanse oneself with vegetables.
Long leafy greens and long beans – don’t be selfish on celebrating the New year, serve Chinese Broccoli , these are served whole “to wish parents long life”.
Whole Fish – Lum says that fish sounds like a It is also important to keep the fish whole, with tail and head intact to keep the abundance coming from start to finish.

With all these on your table, who says you’ll be having an awful year of the Sheep? Shun bad luck away. Gong Xi Fa Cai


8 Good Luck Foods For The Chinese New Year