On New Year’s Eve, families gather together for homemade meals. Some will travel back to their home towns from far and wide. The dinner consists of multiple dishes, including steamed fish. The word fish – '鱼'or 'Yú', sounds similar to 'surplus' or 'profit' in Mandarin. It’s believed that eating fish will bring wealth in the New Year. The fish is also intentionally left unfinished, with what’s left of it being stored overnight. In Mandarin, the phrase ‘every year there is fish leftover’ sounds very similar to the phrase, ‘be blessed every year’.
In the south of China, the sticky, sweet snack made of ground rice, 'nian gao', is eaten this time of the year as it is considered auspicious with the word 'nian gao' sounding like 'higher year' in Mandarin. In the north of China it’s popular to eat dumplings. Mandarin oranges, which are considered a symbol of good fortune are also eaten, displayed or gifted as well.
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