<strong>Lunar New Year candy boxes:</strong> Every Lunar New Year, Chinese families stock their red and gold candy boxes with specific "fortune" treats, which symbolize wealth, happiness and luck. Click on to find out the meanings behind some of the more popular inclusions.
Lunar New Year candy boxes: Every Lunar New Year, Chinese families stock their red and gold candy boxes with specific "fortune" treats, which symbolize wealth, happiness and luck. Click on to find out the meanings behind some of the more popular inclusions.
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<strong>Candies: </strong>During the Lunar New Year holiday,<strong> </strong>children (and adults) are actually encouraged to binge on sugar. According to tradition, candies symbolize the sweetness of life. <br />
Candies: During the Lunar New Year holiday, children (and adults) are actually encouraged to binge on sugar. According to tradition, candies symbolize the sweetness of life.
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<strong>Coconuts:</strong> The Cantonese word for coconuts sounds like the word for grandfather-son in both Cantonese and Mandarin. It symbolizes strong family bonds and a big family.
Coconuts: The Cantonese word for coconuts sounds like the word for grandfather-son in both Cantonese and Mandarin. It symbolizes strong family bonds and a big family.
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<strong>Cracked sesame balls: </strong>Made from flour and sugar then dipped in sesame seeds and deep-fried, these sesame balls are a popular treat during Lunar New Year. The cracks -- the result of deep-frying -- look like a smile. They're also nicknamed "laughing dates."
Cracked sesame balls: Made from flour and sugar then dipped in sesame seeds and deep-fried, these sesame balls are a popular treat during Lunar New Year. The cracks -- the result of deep-frying -- look like a smile. They're also nicknamed "laughing dates."
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<strong>Carrots:</strong> The Cantonese word for "carrot" is pronounced "gam seon." Gam sounds like the word for gold, hence represents wealth -- even though the "gam" in the words for carrot, kumquat and gold are all represented by different Chinese characters. Confused yet?
Carrots: The Cantonese word for "carrot" is pronounced "gam seon." Gam sounds like the word for gold, hence represents wealth -- even though the "gam" in the words for carrot, kumquat and gold are all represented by different Chinese characters. Confused yet?
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<strong>Kumquats:</strong> The Cantonese word for kumquat combines two fortunes in one -- gam (gold) gat (luck and prosperity).
Kumquats: The Cantonese word for kumquat combines two fortunes in one -- gam (gold) gat (luck and prosperity).
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<strong>Lotus roots: </strong>In addition to symbolizing another fruitful year, the word for lotus roots also sounds like an old Chinese idiom about a match made in heaven. <br />
Lotus roots: In addition to symbolizing another fruitful year, the word for lotus roots also sounds like an old Chinese idiom about a match made in heaven.
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<strong>Lotus seeds:</strong> Lin zi, the Cantonese word for lotus seeds, sounds similar to a Chinese saying about giving birth in consecutive years. Therefore, offering lotus seeds is considered a fertility blessing.
Lotus seeds: Lin zi, the Cantonese word for lotus seeds, sounds similar to a Chinese saying about giving birth in consecutive years. Therefore, offering lotus seeds is considered a fertility blessing.
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<strong>Peanuts: </strong>Thanks to their high nutritional value, peanuts are also nicknamed "the fruit of longevity."
Peanuts: Thanks to their high nutritional value, peanuts are also nicknamed "the fruit of longevity."
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<strong>Winter melons: </strong>Winter melons are consumed in the hopes of starting and ending a year well, especially in matters of business.
Winter melons: Winter melons are consumed in the hopes of starting and ending a year well, especially in matters of business.
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<strong>Roasted seeds: </strong>Want to get rich? Grabbing roasted seeds from a candy box is meant to symbolize the accumulation of fortune. Roasted seeds are usually boiled with various seasonings before being fried till they are dry and crispy.
Roasted seeds: Want to get rich? Grabbing roasted seeds from a candy box is meant to symbolize the accumulation of fortune. Roasted seeds are usually boiled with various seasonings before being fried till they are dry and crispy.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Water chestnuts:</strong> The Cantonese word for water chestnuts, "ma in ma tai," shares the same pronunciation as the word for horse. In Chinese culture, horses often represent vitality and prosperity. <br />
Water chestnuts: The Cantonese word for water chestnuts, "ma in ma tai," shares the same pronunciation as the word for horse. In Chinese culture, horses often represent vitality and prosperity.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Gold chocolate coins:</strong> Western candies with golden wrappings are a big hit during Lunar New Year celebrations, too -- chocolate coins included.
Gold chocolate coins: Western candies with golden wrappings are a big hit during Lunar New Year celebrations, too -- chocolate coins included.
Natalie Leung/CNN