As Lunar New Year’s Eve arrives, it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate new beginnings with loved ones. The Year of the Snake is here, bringing with it wisdom, transformation, and resilience—qualities that inspire us to embrace growth and navigate change as we step into the year ahead.

Around the world, the start of the new year is marked by traditions that center on food, family, and hope for the future. Whether you’re savoring dumplings, slurping long noodles, or sharing a toast, the act of gathering together is universal. What ties these traditions together is a shared spirit of optimism—a collective wish for happiness, connection, and prosperity in the year to come.

In many Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year table is filled with symbolic foods. Here are some of the staples that always grace my family’s celebration:

Whole Fish: A Wish for Abundance

Serving a whole fish, with its head and tail intact, is more than just a delicious dish—it’s a symbol of completeness and surplus. In Chinese, the word for fish (yú) sounds like “surplus,” making it a wish for having more than enough in the year ahead.

Dumplings: A Bite of Prosperity

Dumplings, shaped like ancient gold ingots, are a favorite for Lunar New Year. The joy of folding them as a family is part of the tradition, symbolizing “wrapping up” good luck. Some families even hide a coin inside one dumpling for an extra dose of fortune!

Longevity Noodles: Strength and Long Life

Long noodles are all about celebrating health and resilience. The longer the noodle, the longer the life—so slurping without breaking them is encouraged and considered a sign of good luck.

Sweet Glutinous Rice Cakes: Rising to New Heights

Known as nián gāo, these sticky rice cakes symbolize progress and growth. The name translates to “higher year,” representing advancement in life, relationships, and career. Their sweet, chewy texture makes them as comforting as they are meaningful.

Golden Oranges and Tangerines: Wealth and Luck

Oranges and tangerines are more than just vibrant table decorations—they’re symbols of wealth and good fortune. Their bright, golden hue and round shape are believed to attract prosperity.

Crispy Spring Rolls: Golden Bars of Wealth

Golden and crunchy, spring rolls resemble gold bars, making them a delicious way to wish for financial success in the new year.

Sweet Rice Balls: Family Unity

One dish that always brings us closer is tāng yuán, sweet glutinous rice balls served in a warm syrup, often infused with osmanthus flowers. Their round shape represents family unity, making them the perfect dessert to share with loved ones.

So you see, these dishes are about more than just nourishment—they’re heartfelt wishes for health, happiness, and abundance in the year to come.

New Year Traditions Beyond Asia

Of course, New Year’s celebrations aren’t limited to Asia. Around the globe, people welcome the new year in their own unique ways, each with traditions that reflect hope and renewal:

• In Spain and Latin America, people eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each month of the year. The sweetness or tartness of each grape is said to hint at how that month will unfold.

• In the Southern U.S., black-eyed peas and greens are a traditional meal, symbolizing coins and paper money, and cornbread represents gold. Together, they signify prosperity.

• In Greece and Turkey, smashing a pomegranate is believed to bring abundance, with its seeds representing wealth and fertility.

• And, of course, champagne toasts are raised around the world, the sparkling bubbles symbolizing joy, celebration, and rising fortunes.

Did We Miss Something?

Does your family or community have a special New Year tradition? We’d love to hear about it! Every custom, no matter how big or small, is a meaningful way to welcome a fresh start and spread good wishes for the months ahead.

As we step into the Year of the Snake, let’s embrace its lessons of transformation, resilience, and curiosity for what’s to come. Whatever traditions you hold close, the wishes they carry—for health, happiness, and prosperity—are shared across cultures and tables worldwide.

Be Well,

Mindy