Lunar New Year Outfits and Foods
The Lunar New Year is all about wearing red for good luck and prosperity. Adults give children red envelopes with money for good luck. Everyone eats oranges along with their meals. The Lunar New Year is celebrated by Chinese people and people of Chinese decent who have lived in other Asian countries. Besides Chinese people, people in Singapore and Vietnam also celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year Outfits
Some ideas for Lunar New Year outfits include a red cardigan and red fringe sandals or a red dress. I love the idea of wearing a cardigan with sandals in Los Angeles since it is often breezy, but still warm in February. I also like to carry my Chanel red wallet for Chinese New Year. Pinks are also great to wear for Chinese New Year and some of my favorites include these pink Ulla Johnson Sandals in suede with the bows, Marc Fisher pink suede platform sandals, Marc Fisher pink suede tassel tie sandals, Self Portrait pink lace dress, Pink and white striped off the shoulder ruffle button up top, Love Shack Fancy Popover Powder Pink dress, and an Iro pink jacket.
Lunar New Year Foods
The traditional foods for the Lunar New Year include noodles for long life, savory rice cakes which when translated in Chinese “Nian Nian Gao Sheng” means prosperity every year, and a whole fish which when translated “Nian Nian You Yu” means to bring prosperity to the year. Additionally, oranges are the fruit of choice during the New Year because the translation means “to have.” Chicken or duck is usually served to symbolize unity in the family. Spring rolls are a golden color and represent prosperity because they resemble gold ingots. Mustard greens symbolize long life. Dumplings were traditionally eaten to symbolize prosperity because they resemble gold ingots as well and were eaten to welcome the New Year on the eve of the New Year. Turnip cakes sounds like “good fortune” in Chinese and are traditionally eaten during the New Year. And sweet rice balls with sweet fillings such as sesame or red bean paste signify unity within the family are the traditional dessert.
If you want some traditional Chinese food DIY possibilities at home for Chinese New Year, check out www.MilkandEggs.com which delivers food from many different vendors that you do not find in traditional markets. One of my favorites has delicious dumplings that you can prepare at home.
