The Year of the Rabbit
Kung Hei Fat Choy (Wishing you great Happiness and Prosperity!)
Sunday January 23rd, 2023 will usher in the Lunar New Year – the year of the Rabbit, a sign of longevity, peace and prosperity!
Last year I wrote about growing up in Hong Kong and experiencing the longest celebrated festival in the Chinese Calendar which lasts for fifteen days. You can find the article here.
This year upon reflection, especially after having recently built new communities, I am drawn towards the emphasis on how this particular festival is rooted and how it impacts so many people globally.
Chinese Culture and Traditions
China has over three thousand years of recorded cultural history. That alone is an incredible feat! Yet, it has diligently preserved its individuality and unique identity. Most prominently in the arts and sciences - oil, porcelain, calligraphy and silk painting techniques, woodblock printing, as well as crafting delicate porcelain for ceremonial use.
“The Arts and Sciences, essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament of human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind.” – George Washington
Chinese New Year is thought to date back to the 14th century BC, when the Shang dynasty ruled. Under Emperor Wu of Han (140–87 B.C.), the tradition of carrying out rituals on the first day of the Chinese calendar year began. Yet, its precise origins are steeped in legend.
As an agricultural society, its people would celebrate the harvest and worship the deities. This historical significance, inclusive of beliefs and practices, has prominence on families as a whole. The holiday is tied to the lunar calendar and was originally observed as a time to honor household and heavenly deities.
Community-Building
Festivals can significantly influence communities, bringing people together for participation, skills development, such as dances and singing, ultimately promoting social cohesion. Children learn the values of tradition, good ethics, and the joy of volunteering together. They feed off of the positivity of a conducive environment.
Firecrackers (Baozhu) originally made out of bamboo stalks, are an elating display. Dragon parades and lion dances, symbolizing wisdom and strength, are equally festive. These have been indispensable since ancient times, a highlight greeted with glee and applause.
The Heart is where the Hearth is
Tradition calls for the most senior family member to host New Year Eve’s dinner at their home. Family members from near and far are reunited for these celebrations. Homes are decorated with red lanterns, blooming plants of plum blossoms, peonies, narcissus, and orchids.
Extravagant tablescapes of kumquats and their branches, bamboo plants and cherry blossoms signifying the arrival of spring. Gold ingots shaped like a boat that welcome wealth and prosperity are meticulously placed around the table. Endless exquisitely crafted red knots hanging from doorknobs and mantelpieces that symbolize “endlessness”. Gifts of money in the lucky color red envelopes are handed out graciously starting with the most senior member of the family.
Meals that symbolize good fortune are shared with family and friends. The air is filled with the aroma of fresh ginger, sauteed garlic, sesame oil enticing the senses of the hungry diners. Menus that offer spice, crunch, creaminess, and sweet flavors are placed in the center of the table and the banquet begins. Again, the most senior member of the family is served first, exemplifying respect for the elders.
The Woks of Life
Dumplings (Jiaozi): an impression of harmony, a tradition that dates back two thousand years to the Han Dynasty, are synonymous with the turning of the year. Each filling represents different wishes to the people whom they are prepared for. Traditional fillings were prepared with pork, mushrooms, cabbage, and garlic chives, typically steamed, or pan fried, yielding a silky mouth feel.
Whole Fish (Yu): signifies abundance or surplus, traditionally carp, soft-finned, oily freshwater fish is steamed whole and served with ginger shallot sauce. My go to was predominantly, Grouper or Sea Bass, depending on availability. Simple recipe of cleaning and steaming the whole fish, once done, heat up some oil and add the aromatics: ginger, scallions, garlic, cilantro, Shaoxing rice wine (does not taste like rice nor like alcohol, denotes hints of vinegar, spice and caramel) a touch of soy and sesame oil as a garnish for flavor profile, pour over the fish and serve. The soft tender fish which has been scored during prep, soaks in the aromatics and allows this for all to come through.
Whole Chicken (Gai): denotes unity, typically braised, or roasted with ginger and soy.
Longevity Noodles (Yi Mein) and Long Green Beans: stir fried or cooked in a seasoned broth, epitomizes long life.
Winter Melon Soup (Dong Gua): soups are typically served at the end of the meal to aid with digestion, simultaneously warming your soul. Winter Melon Soup has many variations, my recipes comprised of shitake mushrooms, ginger, scallions and dark leafy greens plus winter melon or fuzzy melon (Mo Ggua) with a drizzle of soy for the umami flavor.
Sesame Balls (Jian Dui): dating back to the Tang Dynasty, made with rice flour filled with either sweet lotus or red bean paste, rolled in toasted aromatic sesame seeds and fried, symbolizing togetherness. This is my favorite specialty, nutty, with a crispy exterior and a chewy interior, sweet, warm, and toasty.
Conversations, stories, laughter, lots of red packets received and given over a delicious meal is a memory that is stored away and surfaces every year as I read, write, or talk about Chinese New Year.
Happy Lunar New Year! Kung Hei Fat Choy, Sun Lien Fai Lok to you all!
Hi KIRAN
I always look forward to your truly incredible and much inspiring articles!
You are so engaging and so detailed-oriented. You are a true artist!
In this article, you really brought back all the wonderful memories of the great conversations, laughter, fun stories during our family gatherings ! My heart is still smiling 😊
Indeed it’s a great time to gather round with family relatives and friends over scrumptious meals that aren’t just delicious but symbolic in health and wealth. Thanks for sharing Kung Hei Fat Choi.