Why do Chinese people have dumplings on Chinese New Year?
大年三十为什么要吃饺子?
Dànián sānshí wèishénme yào chī jiǎozi
The Story:
The custom of having dumplings on Chinese New Year’s can be traced back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The dumplings are usually prepared on Chinese New Year’s Eve and served right after midnight, which is the very beginning of the Chinese New Year. The Chinese pronunciation of dumplings, jiaozi, is similar to the pronunciation of a Chinese saying, “ring out the old year and ring in the new.” Therefore, jiaozi implies that family members are reunited and everything will go well in the new year.
Furthermore, the dumpling is in the shape of a shoe-shaped gold ingot, so people wish for wealth and happiness. Also, many different ingredients representing good luck and happiness are used in the filling of the dumplings, anticipating a wonderful new year. Therefore, the dumpling has become a necessity on the festival table.