Love Peace Harmony time with Family - A Message for the New Year!

Dear Reader

Happy Chinese New Years!  In Mandarin Chinese you can greet another person with 
"Gong Xi Fa Cai, Xin Nian Kuai Le!".  

From the time I was inside my mother's stomach waiting to be born,  I have loved Chinese New Years.  Imagine a baby inside listening to the exciting firecrackers go off in Chinatown, the clanging of the cymbals, and the banging of the Chinese Drums in a steady rhythm to lead the Lion Dance performances. To this day, my soul leaps with joy when I hear the Lion Dance music.

Enjoying a Chinese New Year Eve dinner is not only tradition in my family, but one that most Chinese families carry out.  We look forward to a time where it is expected that there are no arguments, no negative words, thoughts or deeds done. In China, the celebration is not only for a day or two.  It carries on for 5 days! 

The dinner and what appears in the menu is very important and as well, how it is prepared.  The dishes that we enjoy carry individual Messages that help us for the rest of the year...  


Nian Gao: 
Translated into english, this is called Year Cake. The word 'Gao" sounds like the word "Tall" or "High". This brings us the message of "Achieving new heights in the New Year".   

Oranges:
The word "orange" sounds like "gold" in Cantonese. To both eat and have the fruit displayed on an altar, is to bring wealth and luck.  If the orange has the stem and leaves still intact, that is even more prosperous! The leaves symbolize longevity. 

Fish:  
The Chinese word for fish 'Yu", sounds like the word for abundance. 
It is important that the fish is served with the head and tail intact.  This is to ensure a good start and finish and to avoid bad luck throughout the year. My mom made two fish facing the opposite on the serving dish. She was trying to create a balance of yin/yang by having two whole fish.

Jai:
This vegetarian dish that is to purify and cleanse yourself with vegetables.  Mom made our dish this year with Sea moss for prosperity, Chinese black mushrooms to fulfill wishes from east to west, Lotus seed & root for seeds for children/birth of sons, and lettuce. 

Overall, I am so grateful to share a bit of my insight with all of you!

Wishing you and your family, a Healthy, Happy, Love Peace Harmony New Year. 

With love and blessings,
Brenda