Symbolism in Chinese Food

Symbolism is a very important part of Chinese people’s life. A lot of Chinese foods are also symbolic, especially during traditional festivals or other special occasions.

For Chinese New Year:

• Black moss seaweed - wealth
• Dried Bean Curd - happiness
• Chicken - happiness and marriage (especially when served with "dragon foods," such as lobster. Family reunion (if served whole)
• Eggs - fertility
• Egg Rolls - wealth
• Fish served whole - prosperity
• Lychee nuts - close family ties
• Noodles - A long life
• Oranges – wealth, luck
• Chicken - part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix. At a Chinese wedding, chicken's feet (sometimes referred to as phoenix feet) are often served with dragon foods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriage and the coming together of families (serving the bird whole emphasizes family unity).
• Peanuts - a long life
• Peaches - peacefulness
• Pomelo - abundance, prosperity, having children
• Seeds (lotus, watermelon, etc.) - having a large number of children
• Tangerines - luck