2025 is just around the corner, and if you’re wondering how to welcome the Year of the Snake with style and good vibes, I suggest starting with a feast of traditional Chinese dishes. In the Chinese calendar, food isn’t just for celebration—it’s also a way to bring luck, prosperity, and good health into your life.
The Reunion Dinner is the highlight of Chinese New Year, a special moment for families to come together and enjoy a meal where every dish has a deeper meaning. Here’s what you should have on your table in the Year of the Snake for a great start!
Dumplings – Wealth and Abundance
You can’t have Chinese New Year without delicious dumplings! In 2025, dumplings still symbolize wealth, as their shape resembles gold ingots. The more dumplings you eat, the more money you’re said to attract. And if you’re lucky enough to find a coin hidden in one, it’s a sure sign that you’ll have an extra lucky year!
Spring Rolls – Happiness and Wealth
Golden, crispy, and full of flavor, spring rolls bring happiness and prosperity. Filled with cabbage, carrots, or meat, they look like gold bars, and in the Year of the Snake, this wealth also represents the wisdom you’ll gain throughout the year.
Long Noodles – Long Life and Joy
Long noodles are a must on the holiday table! In 2025, they symbolize a long life, along with plenty of joy and fulfillment. The longer the noodles, the better! Just make sure not to cut them while eating, as this could “cut” your lifespan!
Whole Fish – Abundance and Success
Fish is the star of the meal, symbolizing abundance for the whole year. The Snake, associated with transformation and luck, will bring prosperity if you serve the fish whole, with the head and tail intact. Be sure to leave some for the next day to extend the abundance into the future.
Oranges and Tangerines – Luck and Gold
In the Year of the Snake, luck and wealth come with these sunny fruits! Oranges and tangerines symbolize gold and good fortune. Keep them on the table or give them as gifts to attract positive energy and success.
Pork – Prosperity and Happiness
Pork is another dish that represents prosperity, especially in a year like the Year of the Snake, when transformation and fertility are key themes. Prepare your favorite pork dish—whether it’s roast, ribs, or ham—and enjoy the abundance and good luck that come with it.
Rice Cakes – Growth and Progress
Rice cakes, sticky and delicious, are perfect for the New Year. They symbolize progress, both in your career and personal life. In 2025, these cakes also help you climb the ladder of success and attract recognition.
What to Avoid in the Year of the Snake:
While it’s important to invite good luck, it’s just as crucial to avoid foods that could bring bad luck. In 2025, steer clear of the following:
- Bottom-dwelling fish – These could bring stagnation.
- Birds that scratch backward – Like chickens, they symbolize focusing on the past.
- Bread with large holes – This represents emptiness, not something you want at the start of a new year.
In Conclusion:
The Year of the Snake in 2025 brings a fresh breath of change, wisdom, and opportunities. Make sure your table is filled with symbols of luck and abundance. Let the superstitions work in your favor, and enjoy a year full of success! Happy Chinese New Year!