A Brief History of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is one of the oldest and most cherished traditions in Chinese culture, dating back over a thousand years. It began as a post-harvest celebration to drive away evil spirits — symbolized by the legendary monster Nian, who feared loud noises and the color red. Beyond myth and ritual, it is a time for family reunions and honoring ancestors for their guidance and protection.
The Three Key Days of the Festival
1. Shopping Day (2 days before New Year’s Day): Families buy food, fruits, and items for offerings.
2. Offering Day (1 day before New Year’s Day): The most important day, when families prepare a table of offerings to honor gods and ancestors.
3. New Year’s Day: A day of joy and renewal — red clothing, lucky greetings, and red envelopes (ang pao) abound.
Choosing Healthy Dishes for Offerings
Beyond symbolism and tradition, offering food can also support family health. Here’s Morru’s healthy Chinese New Year menu — nutritious, delicious, and meaningful.
1. Fish (鱼) — “Abundance and Prosperity”
Recommended dish: Steamed Sea Bass with Soy Sauce
Ingredients: Sea bass, soy sauce, ginger, scallion
Calories: ~180 kcal per serving
Steaming keeps it light and nutritious while preserving protein and flavor.
2. Chicken (鸡) — “Family Unity”
Recommended dish: Herbal Boiled Chicken
Ingredients: Free-range chicken, pepper, garlic, salt
Calories: ~220 kcal per serving
Boiling with herbs reduces fat and adds a soothing aroma.
3. Tofu (豆腐) — “Purity and Stability”
Recommended dish: Steamed Egg Tofu with Shiitake Sauce
Ingredients: Egg tofu, soy sauce, shiitake mushrooms
Calories: ~120 kcal per serving
A protein-packed vegetarian option that’s easy on the heart.
4. Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables (蔬菜) — “Growth and Harmony”
Recommended dish: Stir-Fried Vegetables with Oyster Sauce
Ingredients: Broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, olive oil, oyster sauce
Calories: ~150 kcal per serving
Use colorful veggies for antioxidants and just a touch of olive oil for balance.
5. Fruit (水果) — “Good Fortune and Happiness”
Recommended fruit: Oranges (橙)
Calories: ~40 kcal per fruit
Oranges symbolize luck and wealth — choose fresh, sweet ones for natural energy.
Setting the Offering Table for Good Luck
Food: Arrange savory and sweet dishes in even numbers for harmony.
Fruits: Pick auspicious types like oranges (luck) and apples (peace).
Incense and candles: Light them to show respect and connect spiritually with ancestors.
Order of offerings: Start with deities, then ancestors, then wandering spirits.
Blessings Through Health and Tradition
This healthy offering menu allows you to honor ancestors respectfully while caring for your loved ones’ well-being. Paying attention to ingredients and preparation brings both meaning and nourishment to every meal.
7 Things to Avoid During Chinese New Year
Do not sweep the floor.
Sweeping is believed to drive away fortune and wealth. Clean before or after the festival.
Do not do laundry.
The New Year is considered the Water God’s birthday — washing clothes is seen as disrespectful.
Avoid arguments or harsh words.
Negative speech invites bad luck. Use kind and uplifting words to bless the year ahead.
Avoid breaking things.
Broken dishes or cups symbolize family discord. If something breaks, quickly say “Fortune comes!” to reverse the omen.
Do not lend or collect money.
Financial dealings may drive away prosperity. Settle debts before the festival.
Avoid wearing black or white.
These colors are linked with mourning. Bright red and gold attract luck and joy.
Do not cut your hair or nails.
The word for “hair” (发) sounds like “prosperity” in Chinese — cutting it means cutting off fortune. Trim beforehand.
What You Should Do for Good Fortune
Give red envelopes (ang pao): Share blessings of wealth and happiness.
Pray to gods and ancestors: Show gratitude and seek protection.
Eat lucky foods: Like fish (abundance) and dumplings (wealth).
Final Thoughts
Chinese New Year is more than a celebration of culture — it’s a reminder to care for our health, our hearts, and our families. As you prepare your offerings this year, try Morru’s healthy menu — it’s delicious, meaningful, and full of blessings for the year ahead.
References:
Department of Health, Thailand