What is the meaning of eating fish for New Year's Eve dinner? What is the auspicious meaning of eating fish during the Chinese New Year?

We all know that there are many traditional customs on New Year's Eve every year. Eating New Year's Eve dinner is one of the more common dietary customs. Many people gather together to eat dinner on New Year's Eve, and the family is lively. Fish is usually eaten for New Year's Eve dinner, so what is the meaning of eating fish for New Year's Eve dinner? Let's take a closer look!

What does eating fish for New Year's Eve dinner symbolize?

The southern and northern regions have different eating habits, so they cook different fish. Some people say to cook carp, because there is a legend that carp jumps over the dragon gate, which is a metaphor for success, such as passing the imperial examination and getting promoted. Carp also symbolizes "good luck". Some people say to cook crucian carp, because crucian carp is delicious and delicate, and it also means "good luck". Some people even cook silver carp, because silver carp means "abundance year after year". Many people say that as long as it is fish, no matter carp, silver carp, or abalone, it has a good meaning! So, fish must be included in the New Year's Eve dinner, and it is the same custom in every place.

The auspicious meaning of eating fish during the Chinese New Year

The way of eating fish and the way of eating fish during festivals are different in each historical period and ethnic group. I personally recommend four kinds of fish. See if these are the fish eaten during the Spring Festival in your hometown:

The first is that carp is considered to bring good luck.

The second is that crucian carp is also said to bring "good luck".

The third one is silver carp, which has the saying "abundance year after year".

Speaking of the fourth one, it is mandarin fish: wealth and abundance, so I suggest buying all of these and eating them from New Year’s Eve to the third day of the New Year.

In fact, from a historical perspective, in order to get a good omen during the Chinese New Year, it is necessary to eat fish. Because fish and surplus are homophones, eating fish during the Chinese New Year means having surplus every year. So what fish should we eat during the Chinese New Year? Carp and crucian carp represent "good luck", silver carp means "surplus every year", and mandarin fish means "abundance of wealth and abundance"!

Should we have a whole fish for New Year's Eve dinner?

The New Year's Eve dinner is both sumptuous and very particular. Different dishes represent different meanings. One of them is fish. As we all know, "fish" and "surplus" are homophones, so fish is an indispensable part of the New Year's Eve dinner, which represents surplus every year.

The customs of celebrating the New Year vary in different regions. Now let me tell you how the fish for the New Year’s Eve dinner is usually cooked here.

The fish used in the New Year’s Eve dinner is a whole one, which has good meaning. Usually it is sea bass, osmanthus fish, carp, etc., which are steamed after seasoning.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, you don’t have to eat a whole fish. You can cook it in any style, cut into pieces or filleted for hot pot. There is no particular requirement.

Is fish a must for New Year's Eve dinner?

Eating fish during the Spring Festival is not a necessity, it is just a custom.

This custom has a long history. Because the homonym of "fish" in Chinese is "yu", which symbolizes surplus every year. In the ancient agricultural society, the output of grain directly determined the living standards of the people. Throughout the ages, most peasant uprisings were caused by natural disasters and man-made disasters, so the ancient emperors also attached great importance to praying for a good harvest. Surplus grain means peace and prosperity in the country. Therefore, the beautiful custom of eating fish during the Spring Festival has been passed down. Even in some places, fish is not eaten as the last dish of the New Year's Eve dinner, which means surplus every year.