CCTV Spring Festival Gala 2013–Celine Dion
Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese. It falls on different dates from late January to mid-February. This year it falls on February 10, and it is the year of the snake. 2013 should be a positive year for business and personal fortunes.
Dragon and lion dances are common during Chinese New Year. It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year
It is a custom to pass out Red envelopes during the Chinese New Year celebration. Red symbolizes fire and fire is thought to ward off bad luck or evil spirit. Red envelopes are given out to the youngsters from adults. It is always contains money. The amount of money varies from a dollar to hundreds.
Food and family are the two dominant themes for Chinese New Year. This year we went out to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate the New Year.
The following were the dishes that we ordered:
Prosperity Tray(Sea weeds, Jelly fish, Roasted Pork…)
This dish has green, orange and gold colors which are considered particularly auspicious.
Honey glazed shrimps with walnuts(Thinly-shredded vegetables and beautifully carved carrot are placed elegantly on the side.) This dish stands for wealth and fortune.
Abalone with Mustard greens and mushrooms
This dish implies long life.
Fried Lobster:Lobster‘s natural red colored symbolizes good fortune. In addition, the Chinese name for lobster translates to “dragon shrimp.” Though they are mythical creatures, dragons are considered symbols of extreme strength and good fortune.
Beijing Duck with buns-simply delicious
Steamed fish:Fish play a large role in celebrations. The word for fish, “Yu,” sounds like the words for abundance. As a result, on New Year’s Eve it is customary to serve a fish at the end of the evening meal, symbolizing abundance in the coming year. The fish is served whole, with head and tail attached, symbolizing a good beginning and ending for the coming year.(http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chinesenewyear/a/symbolicnewyear.htm)
abundance
Shrimp Fried Rice
Here I wish you a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year !!!
